Injury and Illness Prevention Program

COVID-19 and Infectious Disease Prevention Addendum (Appendix F)

Revised January 31, 2024

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Table of Contents

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Introduction

Since the COVID-19 pandemic has transitioned to endemic levels representing sustained, but non-emergency case levels, the District has transitioned its COVID-19 Containment, Response, and Control Plan into part of the permanent Injury and Illness Prevention (IIP) Plan to ensure continued prompt, effective responses to COVID-19 and other infectious diseases. This Addendum is intended to meet all current requirements from local and national health authorities, including the California Department of Public Health (“CDPH”), the County of Los Angeles Department of Public Health (“LADPH”), the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (“CDC”), and other agencies such as the California Occupational Safety and Health Administration (“Cal/OSHA”), the Environmental Protection Agency (“EPA”) and the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (“EEOC”). The District will also follow any other government protocols applicable to its services and facilities. The District endeavors to review and update this Addendum with new guidance as it becomes available from agencies, but employees and those implementing the Addendum should review agency websites to ensure compliance with any changes in recommended actions since this Addendum was last updated. 

This Addendum addresses ongoing safety mandates, permissible campus activities, and mitigation efforts that may be undertaken for any future infectious disease outbreak consistent with then-applicable guidance from health authorities. The District reserves the right to modify this Addendum consistent with operational needs and in conformity with all applicable laws and regulations. Further changes to health and safety regulations, including implementation of heightened restrictions on activities, will depend on county/regional conditions including epidemiological trends (such as new COVID-19 cases and hospitalization rates consistently being stable or decreasing over at least 14 days), availability of community testing resources, breadth of vaccine distribution, and adequate District preparedness and public health capacity to respond to case and outbreak investigations.

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Entry to District Campuses

Entry to Campus

Vaccinations

The District does not presently require students or employees to be vaccinated against COVID-19 or to show a negative COVID-19 test unless required by an authorized member of Human Resources or Student Services due to recent symptoms, exposure, or an outbreak. While a COVID-19 vaccine and testing is generally not required at this time, the District may implement such requirements in the future for COVID-19 or any other infectious disease if recommended by applicable health authorities.  If a testing or vaccination requirement is implemented, for COVID-19 or any other illness, the District will provide notice of the requirement.  The District will comply with all applicable disability and religious accommodation requirements if a vaccine mandate is implemented.

Visitors to Campus

Visitors to campus, including those participating in University Center partner programs, are not required to provide proof of vaccination or a recent negative COVID-19 test prior to entry. Should public health authorities reinstate mandatory vaccinations or asymptomatic testing requirements, the District will comply to the fullest extent required by law.

This Addendum applies to the District's Center for Early Childhood Education (“CECE”). Parents and guardians of children enrolled in CECE must ensure compliance with the screening, isolation, and close contact guidance herein.

Visitors arriving to campus with children must ensure that their children stay with them while inside buildings or in courtyards and must avoid touching any person or item that does not belong to them. Visitors should review any additional protocols applicable to their activity or campus destination to determine what exceptions or additional rules may apply.

Visitors must self-monitor for symptoms of COVID-19 and other infectious disease prior to entering campus. Entry is prohibited if symptoms are present.

Signage

When required by local, state, and national health authorities, signage will be posted throughout District campuses and facilities notifying visitors, as well as reminding employees and students, of face covering guidance, hygiene and sanitation recommendations, and the requirement to self-monitor for COVID-19 and infectious disease symptoms before entering. Persons entering campus must comply with all signs and directives.

Deliveries to Campus

Those making deliveries to District facilities and campuses must comply with all applicable COVID-19 guidelines in effect, including the requirement to self-monitor for symptoms of COVID-19 prior to entering.

Travel

Compliance is Mandatory

Compliance with all aspects of this Addendum, including directives from the District’s COVID-19 Compliance Team and the broader IIP Plan, is mandatory for all persons entering District campuses and facilities. Failure to comply in any material respect will result in immediate removal, and where appropriate, discipline, expulsion, or termination in alignment with current Board Policy and/or applicable collective bargaining agreements.

All persons entering District campuses or facilities shall immediately report any COVID-19 hazards observed while on campus (e.g., violations of these protocols) to the COVID-19 Compliance Team (see Campus Resources page for details) or the Campus Safety Director. No person making such a report will be subject to discipline or reprisal.

Where the IIP Plan and this Addendum overlap, the stricter requirement that is more protective of health and safety should be followed unless specifically directed otherwise by the COVID-19 Compliance Team or the IIP Plan Administrator.

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Health Screenings

Symptoms of COVID-19

Persons with COVID-19 may experience a wide range of symptoms, ranging from mild symptoms to severe illness. Symptoms may appear 2 to 14 days after exposure to the virus and may include:

 

Individuals who experience COVID-19 symptoms, receive a positive COVID-19 test, receive a doctor’s diagnosis of likely or presumed COVID-19, or persons who have been in “close contact” with a person who has received a positive COVID-19 test or diagnosis, must notify the COVID-19 Compliance Team (see Campus Resources for details) and must follow the protocols set forth in COVID-19 Exposure Protocol. “Close contact” is defined as someone who (a) shares the same airspace in smaller-sized indoor settings (e.g., classrooms, offices, and other similar-sized indoor spaces) with the infected person for 15 minutes or more over a 24-hour period, or (b) shares the same airspace in large indoor settings (e.g., dining halls, lecture halls, auditoriums) with the infected period, provided that the affected individual(s) is/are (i) in a pre-defined or identifiable group (e.g., teammates, club members, cohort, etc.) or (ii) within six (6) feet of the infected person for 15 minutes or more over a 24-hour period. Persons with an outdoor exposure on campus are not considered close contacts. Symptomatic persons should contact their healthcare provider immediately and should not report to campus. Should symptoms present while on campus, such persons should leave campus immediately and contact the COVID-19 Compliance Team; if immediate departure is not possible, such persons should contact the COVID-19 Compliance Team for guidance and wait in designated containment areas until departure from campus can be arranged.

In any future infectious disease outbreak, unless otherwise recommended or required by applicable health authorities or the District, individuals should monitor for the symptoms associated with the disease as identified by public health authorities and report any symptoms to the District’s COVID-19 Compliance Team and the individual’s healthcare provider consistent with then-existing guidance. The District cannot anticipate the symptoms or risks associated with a yet-unknown infectious disease outbreak, but encourages all individuals to exercise the utmost caution to protect themselves and the campus community from infection, including continuing to review new information related to individual risk management set out by public health authorities. 

Symptom and Temperature Self-Monitoring

The District requires all persons entering District campuses to self-monitor for symptoms of COVID-19 and other infectious disease, including fever. By entering campus, individuals certify they are not experiencing any symptoms of COVID-19. If a person is experiencing symptoms of COVID-19, they are not permitted to enter campus. When required by local and national health authorities, signs will be posted at all entrances to campus advising of this requirement. Individuals should also monitor for symptoms of other infectious disease, especially those that represent a risk of serious bodily injury or death (such as influenza, monkey pox, or other diseases that are transmissible through the air, on surfaces, or through bodily contact). Individuals should not enter campus if they are experiencing symptoms of any infectious disease that represents a serious health risks to others as identified by public health authorities.

The District reserves the right to implement additional screenings and health monitoring protocols as necessary to comply with applicable public health authorities’ guidance and regulations in the event of a future infectious disease outbreak threatening campus safety, including in-person temperature checks at points of entry. Persons exhibiting symptoms of COVID-19 will be denied entry to campus consistent with public health ordinances and guidelines, and as permitted under state and federal anti-discrimination laws. To the extent any health information is collected, it will be kept in strict confidence and only designated individuals will have access to it.

Employees who are excluded from campus should contact the COVID-19 Compliance Team or Human Resources to discuss options for the use of available leave and other benefit entitlements. Students should contact the COVID-19 Compliance Team or the Student Health and Wellness Center to discuss available community resources.

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Face Coverings

COVID-19 is an infectious disease that can be spread through the air when an infectious person talks, sneezes, coughs, or exhales. COVID-19 may also be transmitted when a person touches a contaminated object and then touches their eyes, nose, or mouth. Additionally, not everyone who is infected develops symptoms, but they may remain infectious. As such, public health officials advise that face coverings are an effective tool for limiting the spread of COVID-19. Face coverings are not required, but are encouraged, for asymptomatic individuals on campus. All individuals are expressly permitted to wear a face covering if they so choose and the activity allows for it.

Availability of Medical-Grade or Higher Face Masks

When required by applicable law, the District will provide, at no cost, appropriate medical grade face coverings to all employees and students who must report to campus and who are required by these protocols to wear a face covering, or, upon request. Employees and students also have the option to use their own compliant face covering if preferred, but where a face covering is required, such face covering must be highly protective (such as medical grade, N95, or finely-woven doubled cloth masks). The District also maintains a supply of N95 masks (i.e., respirators) for those employees that work with others indoors and request one. Employees may request an N95 mask through the District from the Facilities Department at no cost. Employees may find instructions on how to wear an N95 mask and how to perform seal checks here.

Proper Use and Maintenance

Employees and students must use face coverings whenever mandated by these protocols. Face coverings must cover both the nose and mouth and may not be shared with others. When not in use, face coverings should not be laid on any surface that may contaminate either the covering or the surface. Individuals should wash hands or use hand sanitizers before and after removing the covering and should not touch their face when adjusting throughout the day. Employees and students are responsible for maintaining District-issued face coverings in proper condition, including washing face coverings daily (for cloth face coverings) or otherwise wearing a fresh disposable face covering each day. Disposable face coverings must be disposed of in an appropriate waste receptacle.  Face coverings should not be used if they have become soiled and, instead, a new face covering should be worn.

Exemptions

Individuals required to wear a face covering by these protocols, but who are unable to do so due to a medical condition, should consult with their healthcare provider about requesting accommodations. The individual may then make a request for accommodations to the COVID-19 Compliance Team. The District will grant exemptions to the mandatory use of face coverings on campus only to the extent consistent with public health guidelines. Individuals whose medical condition permits them to wear a face shield with draping will be required to do so. Children under the age of 2, or young children that cannot safely do so, are not required to wear face coverings under this Addendum. Additional testing protocols may apply when face coverings are not worn, but would otherwise be mandated by this Addendum.

In the event of a future infectious disease outbreak, the District will follow guidance from public health authorities with respect to implementing mandatory use of face coverings on campus.

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Disinfection, Cleaning and Hygiene

The District complies with orders from the LADPH, CDC, Cal/OSHA and OSHA relating to disinfection, cleaning, and hygiene on District campuses. The District has instituted the following procedures to evaluate, identify, and remediate infectious disease hazards on an ongoing basis. As a part of these efforts, the District and individual members of the campus community are each obligated to separately perform certain cleaning and disinfection functions, detailed here:

Cleaning and Disinfecting

• The District will regularly clean frequently touched objects and surfaces. This includes doorknobs, elevator buttons, equipment, tools, handrails, handles, controls, phones, headsets, bathroom surfaces, and steering wheels. The District requires that personal workstations be cleaned by the applicable user and will provide appropriate cleaning products for use. The Facilities Department will handle cleaning of communal spaces, and will do so at least daily.
• When sharing of materials or objects is necessary, persons using the materials or objects should take personal responsibility to clean them between use according to appropriate sanitizing protocols and using EPA-approved disinfectants.
• Individuals must immediately dispose of garbage, food wrappers, beverages, etc., in trash bins after use.

Hygiene

• Avoid touching face, eyes, and mouth with hands.
• Sharing of materials or objects (e.g., staplers, pens, coffee mugs, etc.) is discouraged.
• Where feasible, the District will provide hand sanitizing products for employees.
• When required by applicable law, the District will post throughout the campuses signs and other communications to promote good hygiene and respiratory etiquette and remind employees, students, and visitors of expectations.
• Individuals should cough into a tissue and then immediately dispose of the tissue in a trash receptacle. If no tissues are available, individuals should cough into their elbow. Individuals should wash their hands or use hand sanitizer (≥60% alcohol) after coughing.
• The District strongly recommends all persons receive the COVID-19 vaccine and booster shots when eligible. Information from LADPH can be found here; the state vaccine portal can be found here.

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COVID-19 Exposure Protocols

Employees or students who experience COVID-19 symptoms, receive a positive COVID-19 test, or receive a doctor’s diagnosis of likely or presumed COVID-19 should contact their healthcare provider and the COVID-19 Compliance Team immediately for further guidance and should not report to campus. Employees or students who have been in “close contact” (as defined in Health Screenings) with a person who has received a positive COVID-19 test, must immediately notify the COVID-19 Compliance Team and await further guidance. Quarantined and isolated individuals should expect to be contacted by LADPH as well. Persons who have taken a COVID-19 test due to suspected symptoms or after contact with an ill individual and are awaiting notification of the results may not report to campus unless otherwise instructed by the COVID-19 Compliance Team.**

Whether and for how long employees and students have to isolate and or quarantine depends on whether or not they are asymptomatic. The following chart explains the current isolation, quarantine, masking, and testing requirements. Because circumstances may vary, the COVID-19 Compliance Team will direct all employees and students as to their isolation or quarantine requirements. Failure to comply with the COVID-19 Compliance Team’s directives in any material respect will result in immediate removal from campus, and where appropriate, discipline, expulsion, or termination.

Isolation – Confirmed or Presumed Positive Case of COVID-19
Do You Have Symptoms?	How Long Do You Have to Isolate For?	Mask Requirements
Yes	Must stay home until: At least 24 hours have passed since your symptoms first started (“Day 1” is the day after you first experienced symptoms); and You have not had a fever without the use of fever-reducing medication; and Your symptoms are improving.	Wear a well-fitted, non-cloth mask, both indoors and outdoors for a total of 10 days while you are around others. The mask should be medical grade (surgical or respirator). It is highly recommended that if you continue to test positive after the 10-day period that you continue to wear protective masks until receiving a negative test result.
No	If you develop symptoms during the isolation period, you must follow the “Yes” row above.	Wear a well-fitted, non-cloth mask, both indoors and outdoors for a total of 10 days while you are around others. The mask should be medical grade mask (surgical or respirator).

 

Post-Exposure Requirements – Close Contact with COVID-19 Positive Person Regardless of Vaccination Status
Have Symptoms?	How Long Do I Have To Quarantine For?	Testing Requirements	Mask Requirements	Is There Anything Else I Need to Do?
No	Assuming you do not develop symptoms, you do not have to quarantine. Where feasible, maintain a 6-foot distance from others within the workplace/campus.	You are recommended to test for COVID-19 immediately.	Should*** wear a well-fitted, non-cloth mask, indoors for a total of 10 days while you are around others. The mask should be medical grade or higher (e.g., surgical or respirator).	Monitor yourself for symptoms after your first exposure until 10 days have passed since your last exposure to an infected person.
Yes	Follow Isolation requirements	Follow Isolation requirements	Follow Isolation requirements	Follow Isolation requirements

*Individuals who have recently recovered from COVID-19 within the past 90 days are not considered “close contacts,” but are encouraged to monitor for symptoms and test, especially if 30 days have passed since the individual’s last COVID-19 infection.

**Individuals who have recently recovered from COVID-19 within the past 90 days are not required to quarantine after a close contact exposure regardless of vaccination status, unless symptoms develop.

***Recommended, but not required.

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Campus Exposure and Contact Tracing

Consistent with guidance from public health officials, the District has developed contact tracing protocols to track possible COVID-19 infection spread and notify impacted campus community members and local public health authorities as required. Persons responsible for the management and oversight of the contact tracing protocols are fully trained.  The District will make appropriate efforts to monitor and track cases in any future infectious disease outbreak, consistent with recommendations from public health authorities at that time.

Notification and Investigation Process

Persons with a confirmed or presumed positive case of COVID-19 must notify the COVID-19 Compliance Team immediately (see COVID-19 Exposure Protocols) so that the District can ensure proper cleaning, disinfection, and contact tracing. Such persons should leave campus immediately or wait in a designated containment area until transportation can be arranged. The District’s COVID-19 Compliance Team will contact the individual to conduct a detailed, confidential interview to identify the timing of onset of symptoms, all persons with whom the affected individual has had “close contact” (as defined in Health Screenings), and all areas used by the affected individual(s). The COVID-19 Compliance Team will advise all exposed individuals to receive COVID-19 testing if necessary and will provide instructions as to whether exclusion from campus is necessary and when such persons will be permitted to return to campus. Where necessary or prudent, a group exposure notification will occur. A group is considered to have been potentially exposed to a case during the infectious period if they shared the same small indoor airspace with the infected person for 15 minutes or more over a 24-hour period in a non-residential setting while on campus. The District will determine whether additional notification is needed to inform the wider campus community about the exposure and precautions being taken. The District will generally not advise the wider campus community of an isolated instance of a COVID-19 diagnosis (unless such persons are close contacts) unless such is deemed necessary for community health and safety.

The District will within one (1) business day promptly notify campus community members with close contact to the confirmed or presumed positive case of COVID-19 of potential exposure using their last known contact information or by posting a conspicuous notice if feasible for group exposures. Employees and students must provide the most up-to-date contact information to ensure prompt communication. Contact information should be updated through MyCanyons. The broader campus community will be made aware of the general location of the positive case when warranted or required by applicable law. The District will advise impacted campus community members of their obligations for self-isolation (i.e., separation of sick individuals from others) or post-exposure requirements (i.e., symptom monitoring, masking, and testing). The District will make all efforts to keep the identity and testing status of such persons confidential. While persons may be able to ascertain the identity of affected individuals by virtue of their absence from campus or other information learned during the interview process, the District will not disclose a positive COVID-19 diagnosis to other campus community members or to the public. The District will disclose the identity and circumstances of infections and close contacts to the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health when required by applicable regulations. The District will also record employee COVID-19 infections arising from the workplace as workplace injuries in accordance with Cal/OSHA requirements.

Testing for Outbreaks and Major Outbreaks

In the event of an “outbreak,” defined as three (3) or more epidemiologically-linked positive COVID-19 cases within a 14-day period within the same “group” (group includes social organizations, worksites, classes, sports teams, etc.) and that originated from individuals who do not have close contact outside of on campus activities, or a “major outbreak,” defined as when twenty (20) or more COVID-19 cases in an exposed group visited campus within a 30-day period, the District will comply with all testing requirements. Generally, in the event of an outbreak, all employees physically present in the exposed workplace will be tested immediately, again one week later, and each week thereafter until the outbreak has subsided. Impacted students should also test. In the event of a major outbreak, employee testing will be performed twice a week until the risk is abated, unless more frequent testing is required by LADPH. Employees must either wear a respirator while indoors during a major outbreak or physically distance 6 feet from others whenever feasible. For employees, all testing will be performed during paid time and at no cost. Contact the COVID-19 Compliance Team for further details.

When required, the District will notify LADPH of cases established by a positive test result and follow all directives. The District will determine whether to cease in-person instruction consistent with LADPH directives.

The District will also follow all Cal/OSHA protocols for investigating and mitigating outbreak conditions. This includes a review of the campus conditions applicable to the group experiencing an outbreak and any new or unabated COVID-19 hazards that may have contributed to the outbreak. The District will update its review of hazards every 30 days until the outbreak has subsided. The District will also report a major outbreak to Cal/OSHA and follow any subsequent mitigation requirements. 

Available Resources

The District will work with students to identify available community services and resources, and will provide options for remote online education, including asynchronous delivery to accommodate ill or quarantined students, as well as those with technology or travel constraints.

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Vaccinations

Based on guidance from public health officials, the District believes that vaccinations, including booster shots when individuals are eligible, are a critical tool for reducing risk of infection among employees, visitors, and students. Public health officials have indicated that the COVID-19 vaccine is safe and highly effective, which is further indicated by the Food and Drug Administration’s (FDA) approval of multiple vaccines from various companies. Vaccines are now widely available to all individuals age 5 and older. Booster doses of vaccine, as recommended by public health officials and healthcare providers, offer the best level of protection in conjunction with other risk mitigation efforts.

The District encourages those persons with questions or concerns about the vaccine to visit the CDC’s website for the most up-to-date information about efficacy and safety. Further information about vaccine availability and to sign up for an appointment can be located here.

Employees who have not yet been vaccinated and wish to take time away from work to get vaccinated should contact Human Resources for available options.

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Training

The District will provide access to online training to employees via Keenan Safe Colleges and to students via a notice from the District to ensure they understand the risks of COVID-19 and precautions against infection (including proper respiratory etiquette, hand hygiene, use of face coverings, etc.). The District, via its COVID-19 website, will make available its procedures and guidelines related to the pandemic, as well as a copy of this Addendum.

All persons responsible for implementation of any of the District’s COVID-19 safety protocols will receive additional mandatory training prior to commencement of their duties.

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Modified Safe Workspaces

The District, in consultation with qualified experts, has modified office spaces, classrooms, and public spaces to mitigate against the spread of COVID-19. Where further adjustments are deemed necessary, District Administration must approve any physical relocation of employees’ workspaces; moving of furniture, large office equipment, or requesting technology resources which require installation support from the IT Department; or significant physical adjustments to workspaces (e.g., Plexiglas or other barriers).

The District will continue to monitor and adjust workspaces as future conditions warrant.

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Physical Distancing

One of the best protections against infectious disease transmission, including COVID-19, is physical distancing from others.  To better protect those on campus, the District has undertaken efforts to reduce crowding, especially in indoor settings. Visitors, staff, and students are encouraged to distance from others when possible, whether indoors or outdoors, and regardless of vaccination status, to prevent transmission of COVID-19 and other infectious disease. Where feasible, the District will leave physical partitions, including Plexiglas, in place to mitigate against the spread of COVID-19.

Mandatory physical distancing may be reimplemented if the District deems it necessary in consultation with public health authorities in the event of a future infectious disease outbreak. 

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Reasonable Accommodations

The District will engage in an interactive process and consider reasonable accommodations for employees and students who are categorized as being at higher risk of COVID-19 infection and complications. Vulnerable employees should discuss any concerns with their healthcare provider. The District will consider requests for accommodation consistent with applicable law and operational need. While the District will consider requests for accommodations based on an employee’s or student’s cohabitation with a high-risk individual, such decisions will be made on a case-by-case basis after consideration of all relevant factors. Contact the COVID-19 Compliance Team for details.

In any future infectious disease outbreak, the District will continue to comply with all applicable laws relating to reasonable accommodations and will seek to balance the needs of all members of the campus community in determining appropriate infection prevention and response measures.

 

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Links to Public Health Guidance and Resources

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Campus Resources