Vaccination/Test Requirements

Updated March 25, 2022

NOTE: Some of this information is outdated. The main COVID-19 Updates page has up-to-date information.

Answers to frequently asked questions about COVID-19 vaccination and testing requirements for accessing our campuses and facilities.

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Employees

The College of the Canyons Board of Trustees approved a resolution outlining the requirements employees must follow when working in-person at the Valencia and Canyon Country campuses. The following FAQs are a resource for quick information. We will do our best to keep these FAQs current and updated regularly. If you have a question not addressed here, please submit it to COVIDquestion@canyons.edu.

• Why is the college requiring students and employees who are already vaccinated to test weekly if they have not received a booster shot?
  The Los Angeles County Department of Public Health issued new requirements for Institutions of Higher Education that strongly recommend anyone who has been vaccinated and is eligible to receive a booster dose but has not received one to undergo weekly COVID-19 testing and provide their negative results to the college.
• How do I know if I am eligible for a booster shot?
  Individuals are booster-eligible as follows: 5 months or more after second dose of Pfizer; 5 months or more after second dose of Moderna; 2 months or more after the single dose of J&J.
• If I receive a booster, how long do I have to continue being tested?
  As soon as you receive a booster shot you can stop weekly testing.
• Where can I receive a booster shot?

  The COVID-19 Updates page has updated information about testing and vaccination sites at our campuses.

• Where can I be tested?

  The COVID-19 Updates page has updated information about testing and vaccination sites at our campuses.

• How often do I have to be tested?
  If you are unvaccinated or vaccinated and are eligible for a booster but have not received it, a negative test result within three calendar days prior to your first day on campus each week will be required. Subsequent negative test results must be submitted weekly using the district’s secure, online collection site. If you receive your booster shot in the future, please upload it to the same website. As soon as you receive a booster shot, you no longer need to test weekly.
• How do I provide my test results to the college?

  The college is collecting test results through two secure online options:

  • Upload your documentation.
  • Use the Canyons M app to submit your documents from your mobile device:  
    • The app is available from the Apple App Store or the Google Play Store.
    • Search “College of the Canyons Mobile” and download the app.  
    • Open the app, tap the COVID check-in button, and follow the steps as prompted to upload your test results.
    • Once your uploaded results have been verified for authenticity, the app will show that you are clear to be on campus. 
• How do I provide proof of receiving a booster shot?

  All employees and students who have received a booster shot should upload their vaccination card again (even if it was indicated on the vaccination card you previously provided) to our secure, online collection site by doing the following:

  • Upload your documentation.
  • Use the Canyons M app to submit your documents from your mobile device:  
    • The app is available from the Apple App Store or the Google Play Store.
    • Search “College of the Canyons Mobile” and download the app.  
    • Open the app, tap the COVID check-in button, and follow the steps as prompted to upload your test results.
    • Once your uploaded results have been verified for authenticity, the app will show that you are clear to be on campus. 
• Where on campus are masks required to be worn?

  Employees, students and visitors are required to wear face masks in all indoor instructional spaces when they are being used for College of the Canyons courses, plus student services spaces. This includes:

  • All student computer labs
  • Counseling
  • TLC
  • Library
  • Admissions & Records
  • Financial Aid
  • Student Business Office
  • Welcome Center
  • Assessment Center
  • Veteran’s Center
  • EOPS/CalWORKS/Care/INSPIRE
  • Undocumented Resource Center
  • Academic Accommodations Center
  • Student Health Center
  • Campus Life & Student Engagement
  • BaNC
  • Student Employment Office
  • Non-Credit Enrollment Services
  • Athletic training room
  • Locker rooms
• What is considered a face covering? 
  The phrase “face coverings” includes N95 and KN95 mask/respirators, or material made of common fabric, usually multiple layers of cotton that securely covers the nose and mouth without exhalation valves or vents. Bandanas and scarves are not permissible face coverings. Individuals who cannot wear a face covering due to a disability or medical condition may instead wear a face shield with drape at the bottom edge that is either form-fitting under the chin or tucked into a shirt or collar.
• Are there any spaces on campus where masks are not required to be worn?

  Although the college follows the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health guidelines and strongly recommends that masks be worn when indoors, they are not required in these spaces or situations:

  • Athletic practices and competitions, not classroom instruction
  • Rehearsals and performances for performing groups (performing arts, speech, etc.)
  • Visitors, community users, and commercial performers in the Performing Arts Center
  • Events such as the Women’s Conference, upcoming events/celebrations
  • In-person board meetings and foundation board meetings
  • University Center partners and programs
  • Civic Center rental locations
  • Academy of the Canyons
  • Communication Center and Mailroom
  • Meetings that are not held in classrooms or student services and support areas
  • Departments and common areas that are not within a student services/support area
• Why is the District requiring employees to be vaccinated or undergo weekly testing?
  The District is committed to providing a safe and healthy learning and working environment. The Board of Trustees has passed a resolution to ensure cooperation with local public health officials with measures necessary for the prevention and control of communicable diseases. The full resolution, which further explains the District rationale, is available here.
• Is it a HIPAA violation to ask employees or students about their vaccination status?
  No. The District is not a covered entity under HIPAA (exceptions apply to the Student Health Center only). HIPAA (Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act) only applies to healthcare providers and related entities. The District must have this information because it informs the District’s response to a COVID-19 exposure in certain circumstances.
• Does the District have access to the California Immunization Registry (CAIR) database? How will the information be used?
  Yes, the District does have access to the California Immunization Registry (CAIR) database. We will use this access to verify incomplete or questionable documentation submitted to the District.
• When are students and employees required to provide proof of vaccination or a negative COVID-19 test?

  All students and employees must either provide proof of vaccination or be subject to weekly testing before coming to campus.

• What is considered “fully vaccinated”?
  Individuals are considered fully vaccinated against COVID-19 two weeks or more after they have received the second dose in a two-dose series (e.g., Pfizer-BioNTech or Moderna), or two weeks or more after they have received a single-dose vaccine (e.g., Johnson and Johnson [J&J/Janssen]).
• I am fully vaccinated as it has been at least two weeks since my second vaccine dose (one dose for Johnson and Johnson). Can I attend in-person classes?
  Yes. You must first submit your vaccine status via the online Self-Certification Form.
• I have received the first dose of a two-dose vaccine. Can I still attend in-person classes?

  Yes. If you have received the first dose of the vaccine or a single dose of the Johnson & Johnson vaccine but are not yet fully vaccinated (14 days after your second dose of a two-dose vaccine (Moderna/Pfizer) or a single dose of a one-dose vaccine (Johnson & Johnson), you must participate in weekly testing until you are fully vaccinated.

• What is the process to provide proof of vaccination or test results?

  You can upload those documents through the online Vaccination or Test Self-Certification Form. Or you can use the Canyons M mobile app to upload your documents. If you need to download your vaccination record from the State of California database, you can do so at https://myvaccinerecord.cdph.ca.gov/.

• What is the deadline to submit proof of vaccination?

  You must submit your documentation before coming to campus. Students and employees who have not submitted proof of vaccination must submit weekly negative test results through the Self-Certification Form until they have uploaded their vaccination proof via the website.

• How can I get the Canyons M mobile app?

  The app is available from the Apple App Store or the Google Play Store. Search “College of the Canyons Mobile” and download the app.

• If I’m not already vaccinated and need to come to campus, how do I comply with this requirement?

  Employees who are not fully vaccinated must test weekly unless and until they become fully vaccinated. A negative test result within three (3) calendar days prior to visiting campus will be required.

  Example of work testing scheduling:

  You should test on...	if your first day of work for the week is...
  Friday	Monday
  Saturday	Tuesday
  Saturday or Sunday3	Wednesday
  Monday	Thursday
  Tuesday	Friday
  Wednesday	Saturday
  Thursday	Sunday

• How do I report that I am fully vaccinated or have a negative test result?

  Proof of vaccination (vaccine card or other documentation) or a negative test result must be uploaded into the online Self-Certification Form as provided by Human Resources.

• I am fully vaccinated, as it has been at least two weeks since my second vaccine dose (one dose for Johnson and Johnson). Can I attend in-person classes?

  Yes. You must first submit your vaccine status via the online Self-Certification Form.

• Where do I get vaccinated or tested for COVID-19?

  The COVID-19 Updates page has updated information about testing and vaccination sites at our campuses.

  Other Testing Options

  • State of California Testing Resources
  • Find a Testing Site
  • Visit covid19.lacounty.gov/testing, call 2-1-1, or text 52-211
    
    

  Vaccination Resources

  • L.A. County Department of Public Health
  • How to Get Vaccinated
    
    

  In addition, you can access vaccinations and testing at your healthcare provider's office, local pharmacies and at myturn.ca.gov. Home tests will not be accepted.

• What if I have a religious and medical exemption to being vaccinated?

  The District will accept the negative results from tests administered by a healthcare provider, including PCR, rapid test and saliva tests. The results must include the provider name, your name, date of the test, date of the result, the result and that the test was taken specifically for COVID. The District will not accept a result from a home COVID test.

• Which type of COVID test can I get to satisfy the requirement to test weekly?

  The District will accept the results from tests administered by a healthcare provider, including PCR, rapid test and saliva tests. The results must include the provider name, your name, date of the test, date of the result, the result and that the test was taken specifically for COVID. The District will not accept a result from a home COVID test.

• How long are the results from my negative test valid?

  Your tests results are valid for seven (7) days. The day you test is Day #1, and the result is good until Day #7. You have until the end of Day #8 to test again.

• How do I report proof of vaccination if I lost my vaccine card?

  The State of California offers a digital COVID-19 vaccine portal. The portal provides a digital copy of your vaccine record. If you received your vaccination from a federal agency (e.g., Department of Defense, Indian Health Services, or Veterans Affairs), you will need to reach out to those agencies for assistance with your vaccination record. Request a digital COVID-19 vaccine record.

  Once received, follow the steps to upload proof of vaccination into the online Self-Certification Form as provided by Human Resources.

• Is the “vaccine or test” requirement for all District employees or only those employees who will be working on campus?

  All District employees⁴ working on campus or those utilizing in-person District services must submit proof of vaccine or a negative test result prior to their first visit to campus. When submitting test results, the negative result will need to be received within three (3) days of the date the employee will be reporting to campus and weekly thereafter. If you are working 100 percent remotely, this requirement does not apply to you unless you visit campus.

• Will employees who are not fully vaccinated be allowed to work on campus with a face covering?

  Yes, if the employee submits weekly negative test results.

• Will I be required to wear a face covering if I’m fully vaccinated?

  Yes. To maximize protection from COVID-19 variants and prevent possibly spreading the virus to others while on District premises, all employees are required to wear an appropriate face covering while indoors. Facemasks can be removed if you are alone within a private, enclosed office, or actively eating and drinking.

• What happens if I test positive for COVID-19?

  If you receive a positive COVID-19 test you must inform our COVID-19 Compliance Officer right away. Regardless of whether you are vaccinated or unvaccinated, our COVID-19 Compliance Officer will work with you to determine contact tracing, quarantine requirements, and dates upon which you may return to campus.

  Contact the Student & Employee Compliance Officer

  • (661) 993-7670
  • covid@streetconsultinggroup.com
• May I travel for professional development or other work-related responsibilities this fall?

  Yes. All safety precautions and requirements in effect on District property also apply to work-related travel such as, but not limited to, wearing a face covering indoors (regardless of your vaccination status) if required in the jurisdiction where you are traveling, taking time to wash and sanitize your hands, quarantining if you have COVID-19 symptoms, and reporting a COVID-19 illness to the COVID-19 Compliance Officer and your absence to your supervisor.

• I am unvaccinated. How can I access services?
  • Student services will continue to be offered both in-person and remotely/online. You can find email addresses, phone numbers, links for Zoom, etc. here.
  • To attend a scheduled in-person appointment, a student will be required to be vaccinated or show proof of a negative test that was conducted within three calendar days prior to the appointment.
• I am unvaccinated. What are my class/service options?
  • An unvaccinated student must submit a negative COVID-19 test result each week to attend on-campus classes or to use on-campus services. The student must submit their negative test result through the online Self-Certification Form. Unvaccinated students may also enroll in online classes to avoid weekly COVID-19 testing.
  • For your health and safety, we urge you to get vaccinated.
• What happens if I am not fully vaccinated and do not submit weekly test results?

  You will be barred from entering campus. The District will contact each employee who is not in compliance with District policy or procedure to determine next steps for the employee and the District.

  If a student decides not to be tested weekly for COVID-19, the student cannot attend classes in person. The student will not be permitted to enter the face-to-face classroom if a negative test has not been submitted through the Vaccination or Test Self-Certification Form during that week. If the student fails to turn in a negative test result for a second consecutive week:

  • We will make every attempt to transfer a student to an online or “HyFlex” class, so the student may continue their education. However, if the student is unable to transfer, and they do not turn in their weekly negative test results, the student unfortunately will be dropped from the course.
  • If the student stops testing after the drop deadline, but before the withdrawal deadline, and the student does not or cannot transfer to an online section, the student will be given an EW grade and a refund will be processed.
  • If the student stops testing after the withdrawal deadline, the student will be given an EW grade.
• Do I need to check in somewhere on campus before going to my in-person classes or appointment?

  No, but you must upload your vaccination documentation or timely negative test result into the online Vaccination or Test Self-Certification Form before arriving on campus.

  • Once you upload your vaccination card or timely negative test result into the Self-Certification Form, you will receive a clearance email.
• How can I get help if I do not have a valid test result or vaccine card?
  Please email studenthealthcenter@canyons.edu or call (661) 362-3259.
• As a student, am I required to be vaccinated or have a negative COVID-19 test and wear a face covering to attend an appointment with an advisor, counselor, or others on campus?

  Yes. Scheduled in-person appointments require visitors to be vaccinated or show proof of a negative test that was conducted within three (3) calendar days prior to the appointment. You will be asked to show your Canyons M app to a staff member in any office you visit on campus.

• Do I need to show proof of vaccination or negative test result to complete a quick transaction on campus?

  Yes, if you are visiting a location where you will interact with a person on campus (i.e., Bookstore, Assessment Center, BANC location, questions for Admissions and Records, you will be asked to show your My Canyons app to a staff member to ensure that you are cleared to be on campus.

• I am a 100 percent online student. Does this apply to me, and how can I access services if I need to do so?
  • If you are a 100 percent online student the vaccination and testing requirement does not apply to you to attend your classes. You may access student services during the spring 2022 semester remotely/online. You can find email addresses, phone numbers, links for Zoom, etc. online for each office on this website.
  • Please see the answer above for in-person appointments on campus and quick transactions.
• I am attending an off campus, in-person class. Am I required to be vaccinated?

  There are a few exemptions to the vaccination and testing rule for off-campus, in-person classes.

  • Classes held for our incarcerated students at Pitchess Detention Center and Century Regional Detention Center are exempt from the vaccination and testing requirements.
  • Dual enrollment and College Now courses held on the high school campuses are exempt. College of the Canyons will work closely with the Hart District regarding vaccination, testing, and masking. Face coverings are required in all dual-enrollment and College Now classrooms.
  • Noncredit classes held at off-site locations will follow all regulations implemented by the particular site except that face coverings are required in all off-site locations regardless of the location regulation.
  • Instructional Service Agreement courses, held off-campus, will be required to follow the regulations implemented by the site.
• Will employees be subject to discipline if they do not vaccinate or submit negative test results on a weekly basis?

  As these actions would be violation of a board action, employees who do not comply may be subject to discipline as outlined in the collective bargaining agreements and applicable law.

• I am thinking about being vaccinated but still have questions. Where can I go to learn more?

  L.A. County maintains an updated website that includes frequently asked questions/answers on the three COVID-19 vaccines authorized in the U.S. (Moderna, Pfizer, and Janssen/Johnson & Johnson (J&J)). The site also includes a video series from Dr. Eloisa Gonzalez of Los Angeles County’s Department of Public Health answering common questions.

• How long is the vaccination/testing requirement in effect?

  Currently there is no end date for the vaccination/test requirements. Face mask requirements are expected be in place through June 3, 2022. The District and Board of Trustees reserve the right to revise these requirements as needed.