February 8, 2021 - URGENT: Sequestering EXTENDED Until Monday, Feb. 15, for all residential hall residents

Sent to all students living in the residence halls on 02/08/21:

Dear residential student,

We are writing to notify you that the university is extending the self-sequestration period for residential halls through at least Monday Feb. 15.  While new cases are slowing down, showing that our measures and your helpful efforts have been effective, a significant number of students remain in quarantine and, due to the 14 day incubation period of this virus, it is too early to be sure we have contained this current surge. We must be cautious in lifting this sequestration, thus we’ve determined that residential hall students will continue to self-sequester until at least next Monday.

We understand this extension is frustrating, but please understand this will help us mitigate further spread while protecting our community. Part of the decision to lift the self-sequester will be determined by our ability to reduce virus transmission. 

You are directed to continue to follow the self-sequester instructions we’ve shared with you through Monday, February 15. There are reminders, below. (Also, if you have been directed by UHS to quarantine in your room - separately from the general self-sequestering that all residents must do - you must continue to follow your specific quarantine instructions.)

• Please remember that you are required to remain in your room at all times except:
  • to obtain medical care, including mental health care
  • in case of emergency
  • to comply with your testing requirements
  • to use the bathroom on your floor or that you have been assigned to
  • to obtain food from your nearby outdoor Cal Dining kiosk
• Do not attend any gatherings or events. We cannot stress this enough — right now it is critical that you avoid gatherings — large or small — even with your residential household grouping, whether indoors or outdoors, and even if your most recent COVID test is negative.
• You should only be picking up food provided at the Cal Dining outdoor kiosks located outside of your residence hall. After you pick up your food, you are required to return immediately to your room. We adjusted the food pick-up model to make it easier for you to access Cal Dining meals. Students can pick up their boxes at the following times:
  • Lunch pick up: 11 a.m. - 2 p.m. 
  • Dinner and to-go breakfast box pick up: 4 p.m. - 8 p.m.   
• You must also continue to be tested twice per week as you have been required to do throughout this semester, according to the Monday-Thursday or Tuesday-Friday schedule previously communicated, with no more than 3-4 days between tests. Schedule your test. Students experiencing symptoms, or who identify as contacts to COVID-19, will be directed to UHS for testing rather than to the surveillance sites, per eTang. As always, please reach out to UHS if you need medical or mental health support.
• You may only use the restroom when it is not occupied by another resident. Please try to determine whether or not someone is already in the restroom before you use it. This will help us reduce virus transmission. 
• You may NOT leave your room for solo outdoor exercise, which is a change from previous self-sequestering guidelines. We are working with public health officials to determine whether outdoor exercise may be permitted, and we will provide more information on this in the near future.
• We understand that some students may wish to leave campus to temporarily or permanently live elsewhere (e.g., with family members) but we strongly advise against leaving. You risk bringing COVID home with you and infecting a loved one who may be more likely to become severely ill; even if you have had a negative test recently, you may be incubating the virus. Travel can also create a new risk of exposure for you. 
• Keep following best practices: As always, please continue to follow protocols such as physical distancing, handwashing, and wearing face coverings at all times (unless brushing your teeth, washing your face, showering, etc.). Bears Protect Bears! 
• You will note there is now an increased presence of Community Security Officers (CSOs) and in addition, beginning today an increased overall security and staff presence in and around residence halls (you may be required to show testing badges and/or Cal 1 Cards more frequently). Be aware that students are subject to serious residential conduct sanctions for not complying with campus directives including being disqualified from housing and suspended from the University.  We don’t wish for residents to be alarmed by this increased UCPD presence, but we must ensure the health of our community. Please also be reminded that if you have been notified by UHS that you are in quarantine, you are required to follow these directions by Public Health Order.
• If you witness a violation of the self-sequester protocols or the Residential Code of Conduct, you are encouraged to either report this information to your RA or send an email to residential.conduct@berkeley.edu with identifying information. Residential Life staff will then submit a conduct report on your behalf. Reporting what you witness will help protect your fellow students and our community. We are all in this together. 
• Visit the Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS) website to learn even more about resources available to you. You can call CAPS at (510) 642-9494, or call the after hours counseling line (855) 817-5667. Counselors are available for virtual counseling appointments by phone or video.  If you have questions about accessing available resources, even remotely or in places outside of California, UHS staff can assist you. 

The risk is real. Please continue to adhere to our self-sequester until Monday, February 15. We will share more information as the situation develops.

Sincerely,

Anna Harte, MD
Medical Director
University Health Services

Guy Nicolette, MD, CAQSM
Assistant Vice Chancellor

Glenn DeGuzman, Ed.D.  
Director, Residential Life
Associate  Dean of Students
Office of the Dean of Students