Spring break: stay local; fun local activities

This message was sent to all undergraduate and graduate students on 03/04/21:

Dear undergraduate, graduate, and professional school students,

With the Spring Recess (spring break) occurring March 22-26, we wish to share some important updates and reminders to help you make informed plans. We wish to thank students for your dedication in reducing virus transmission - we know it can be difficult but you’ve shown great resilience and perseverance! We have suggestions for local, safer and physically distanced activities you can explore right here in the Bay Area, further below.

Spring break travel: We are strongly discouraging spring break travel, especially outside of the Bay Area. You risk bringing COVID-19 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, especially mass transit (like flying) can also create a new risk of exposure for you. You will also need to check that your travel/gatherings are permitted at your destination. And then, return travel risks bringing infection back to campus, which is especially concerning when more people return in a short timeframe.

The campus has created a collection of short, informative videos that help explain travel risks, as well as other information.

Please note: any student who has been notified that they are contacts of a case should not leave without obtaining clearance from the UHS COVID Team (510-642-2000), as they are under quarantine order.

Students living in the residence halls, campus apartments and suites: If you travel over spring break you will be asked to self sequester in your room for 10 days after your return. Also, if you are already set to engage in any in-person instruction, you will be asked to affirm that you have self sequestered post-travel.

Please also refer to communications you will be receiving soon (we also have an archive of recent communications you can always refer to). Those will have more details regarding testing requirements, dining, and other information.

If you do not travel, you will not need to self-sequester, but please continue to use the mitigation strategies you are currently using (wearing face coverings, physical distancing, handwashing, etc.)

If you are living off-campus in the Berkeley community: Please continue with recommended surveillance testing and consider cancelling any travel outside the Bay Area at this time. Again, we strongly recommend you don’t travel. However, if you do travel, it is recommended that you self-sequester for 10 days upon your return and take part in the campus’ COVID-19 surveillance testing both before and after your trip. Also, if you are already set to engage in any in-person instruction, you will be asked to affirm that you have self sequestered post-travel.

Keep following best practices:

As always, please continue to follow protocols such as physical distancing and wearing face coverings.
Bears Protect Bears! Learn more about how you protect yourself and others.
Any student experiencing symptoms or who may have been exposed to COVID-19 (or any students with concerns), please call the University Health Services Advice Line 24/7 at 510-643-7197 for consultation.

The weather is getting warmer, and there are many local, outdoor, virtual, and physically distanced activities you can join in this spring break! Read our Berkeley Life article with fun and useful ideas.

We truly hope you will partner with us to reduce virus transmission and avoid travel this spring break. Only with your help will we be able to turn a corner and return to the in-person student activities we all miss. Please reach out to UHS with any questions you may have.

Sincerely,

Sunny Lee, Ph.D.

Dean of Students

Anna Harte, MD

Medical Director

University Health Services

Guy Nicolette, MD, CAQSM

Assistant Vice Chancellor

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Spring break: stay local; fun local activities