Dear Pacific faculty and staff,

In anticipation of the State of California reopening tomorrow, June 15, the state and health departments in Sacramento, San Francisco and San Joaquin counties are expected to change the rules regarding mask wearing to allow vaccinated individuals to go without masks and social distancing in many settings.

However, it is important to note that some additional rules apply to a person’s workplace. Cal/OSHA emergency COVID-19 rules remain in effect and require all employees to continue to wear masks in the workplace, except when in a room alone or eating or drinking. Daily screening and social distancing, regardless of vaccination status, will also continue until further notice.

Cal/OSHA will consider modified emergency standards this week that, if adopted, would ease mask requirements for vaccinated people in most workplaces, except when needed as PPE (e.g., clinical care of patients). If adopted, those rules would go into effect in late June and would be more closely aligned with health department and state guidance. Once confirmed, an updated University Health and Safety Plan and modified education module will be published.

In the meantime, please continue to check the university’s COVID-19 website for updated information and remember to upload your vaccination status into the University of the Pacific Health Portal if you were vaccinated outside of one of the university clinics and have not already provided us this information.

Sincerely,

Maria Pallavicini
Provost and Executive Vice President for Academic Affairs
Chair, COVID-19 Council