Updates
Beginning June 3, Caltech will implement revised COVID-19 isolation guidelines in accordance with the California Department of Public Health (CDPH) and Pasadena Public Health Department (PPHD). The updated guidelines use a symptom-based approach for determining when isolation for COVID-19 is required. Testing and wearing masks are still crucial for prevention and control, and both will continue to be available on campus.
Guidelines
The updated CDPH and PPHD guidelines no longer require asymptomatic COVID-positive individuals or those who are fever free with mild, improving symptoms to isolate at home, instead recommending a 10-day masking period.
- Caltech is aligning with these updated guidelines for students, faculty, postdoctoral scholars, and staff.
- Individuals who test positive for COVID-19 and/or have symptoms of COVID-19 are instructed to stay home or isolate until fever free for 24 hours without the use of fever reducing medicines and other symptoms are mild and improving. They must continue to wear a mask while around others for 10 days after testing positive or experiencing symptoms.
- Individuals who test positive for COVID-19 but do NOT have any symptoms are not required to isolate. They are instructed to mask for 10 days after testing positive and should avoid contact with people at high risk for severe COVID-19 including the elderly and those with immunocompromising conditions.
- We encourage employees to utilize available paid leave time when unable to work. Employees can continue to work with their supervisors or managers to support remote work if appropriate for their job function and duties.
- We will continue providing COVID-19 testing through the campus surveillance testing program through UCLA SwabSEQ. Same-day symptomatic testing will also continue to be available through Student Wellness Services. Caltech community members can obtain masks at the Caltech Store.
- In addition, OSHA has changed the reporting requirement for COVID-19 cases. We no longer need to report every COVID-19 case to PPHD, OSHA, and our insurance carrier. We will continue to comply with cluster and outbreak reporting.
- The Caltech Together website is now the Covid-19 Information Center on the Student Wellness Services website. Please refer here for Covid-19 information and guidelines.
New Procedures
- COVID-19 reporting is now recommended for students and employees to ensure the Institute can provide informed guidance and mitigate any outbreaks among the campus community.
- Students will continue to work with Student Wellness Services regarding isolation recommendations (duration, release from isolation, and symptom management).
- Faculty, postdoctoral scholars, and staff will now work with their healthcare providers for isolation recommendations and should continue to follow Institute policies regarding illness and time away from work.
To: The Campus Community
From: Kevin M. Gilmartin, Vice President for Student Affairs
David A. Tirrell, Provost
Thomas F. Rosenbaum, President
Date: June 1, 2023
Re: Changes to Caltech's COVID-19 Vaccination Requirement
Effective, Monday, June 19, 2023, Caltech will end its current COVID-19 vaccination requirement for all Caltech employees and students.
This decision aligns with local public health authority recommendations and state and federal health protocols. The Institute's COVID-19 vaccination requirement has been in effect since August 2021.
As of June 19, current and incoming students, faculty members, postdoctoral scholars, and staff members will no longer be required to provide proof of their full vaccination status or to have an approved exemption on file with the Institute. Consistent with this decision, contractors, temporary employees, campus affiliates, and other guests and visitors to campus will no longer need to provide proof of vaccination or to otherwise self-attest to their COVID-19 vaccination or approved exemption status.
Caltech encourages all members of the community to stay up to date with their COVID-19 vaccines in accordance with CDC guidelines. Vaccinations and boosters are safe and proven to be highly effective in reducing the risk of serious illness, hospitalization, and death related to COVID-19.
The Institute will continue to monitor conditions on campus and in our broader community and will update campus health protocols as appropriate.
Please remember that all members of the campus community have access to
- free COVID-19 PCR tests through UCLA SwabSeq's voluntary community surveillance testing program.
- same-day, symptomatic testing through Student Wellness Services. Community members may request an appointment for symptomatic testing by calling 626-395-6393. While testing capacity may be limited, appointments are available 8 a.m. to 9 a.m. and 1 p.m. to 2 p.m. Monday through Friday.
- free N95 and KN95 masks, which are available for pick up with a Caltech ID at the Caltech store.
Anyone who tests positive through the community surveillance testing program or another testing service must report their positive test result through the Caltech COVID-19 Reporting application. Promptly reporting positive test results through this application allows the COVID-19 Management Team to follow up as appropriate and assists Institute leadership in monitoring the spread of infection within the Caltech community.
Thank you for your continued support and cooperation with the Institute's health protocols.