The omicron variant of SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19, is now the most common variant among new COVID-19 cases in the United States according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). The CDC is now predicting a large number of positive cases in the coming weeks and potentially into the new year. To protect yourself during this time, we urge you to:
In anticipation of a surge that may coincide with the planned start of our in-person, residential Winter Quarter, UC San Diego is exercising caution and moving our instruction to a remote-only mode from Jan. 3 to Jan. 17. During this time we will incrementally populate the campus using a more comprehensive testing regimen.
Returning to Campus
All students and campus employees, regardless of vaccination status, must complete a SARS-CoV-2 test on the day they return to campus for the Winter Quarter 2022.
Winter Quarter Testing Requirements
During the Winter Quarter 2022, individuals who are not vaccinated and individuals who are vaccinated but have not received a vaccine booster will be required to testfor SARS-CoV-2 two times per week, between three and five days apart.
All individuals, regardless of vaccination status, who develop symptoms consistent with COVID-19 should test immediately.
Campus Housing & Dining
Although in-person instruction has been delayed, on-campus housing communities will open as previously planned. Campus residents are welcome on campus during the remote-only instruction period, but are encouraged to stagger their arrival. From Jan. 3 to Jan. 17, food service will be available on a to-go basis. Students can order in person or through the Triton2Go mobile ordering app. More details will be sent to those who have current housing and dining contracts.
Faculty, Staff, and Research
From Jan. 3 to 17, faculty and teaching assistants may teach remotely from home or from campus. Campus staff supervisors should encourage and allow remote work beyond current work arrangements if operationally feasible from Jan. 3 to 17, but no one should be required to be remote. Research will continue, but undergraduate and graduate students will not be required to report to campus research sites in person from Jan. 3 to Jan. 17.
In-Person Activities
In-person gatherings must be moved to remote modalities or rescheduled. Triton athletic competitions will proceed, but spectators will not be allowed to attend home games until Jan. 18. Details about refunds will be emailed to single-ticket and season-ticket holders.
Community Safety
The safety of our campus community is our primary concern. These decisions are based upon current data and our understanding of this evolving pandemic. Our scientists and disease modelers will continue to assess the rapidly changing situation during the Winter Break. As new data become available and are evaluated, prediction models will be updated.
We will continue to interpret findings to determine a future course of action with our community’s safety as our focus. Further updates to campus operations will be communicated as needed.
Get Vaccinated and Boosted
Appointments for Pfizer, Moderna, or Johnson & Johnson COVID-19 vaccines and vaccine boosters are now available for all eligible students and employees at the Price Center on campus and at drive-up locations at our La Jolla and Hillcrest Medical Centers.
To review eligibility requirements and schedule COVID-19 vaccine or vaccine booster appointments, students and campus employees should refer to the Return to Learn vaccine booster page.
Thank You
I would like to thank the leadership of our Academic Senate, Staff Association, Associated Students and Graduate and Professional Student Association for their partnership, dedication and commitment to keeping our campus community safe.
I am grateful to our entire UC San Diego community for your hard work and for your compassion for one another. Together, we have demonstrated continued resilience, creativity and innovation during the course of the pandemic. Together, we have achieved both great and small things. And together, we will face the omicron variant.
There is no limit to our Triton potential.
