Fall 2022 COVID-19 Safety Guidelines

Everyone at Mt. SAC continues to play an important role in reducing transmission of COVID-19 by following public health measures. Learn more about the college’s COVID-19 safety guidelines below. The latest information about COVID-19 guidelines is available through the Mt. SAC COVID-19 Public Health website at www.mtsac.edu/covid19.

VACCINATIONS RECOMMENDED

COVID-19 vaccines are safe, effective and free. They are strongly recommended, but not required on campus. Vaccines reduce a person’s chances of getting sick with COVID-19 and are highly effective at preventing severe illness, hospitalization, and death. Public Health officials recommend that anyone 6 months and older get vaccinated against COVID-19. You can learn more about which vaccine to get and when to get each dose on the Los Angeles County Public Health COVID-19 Vaccines and Vaccine Schedules website.  Appointments for a vaccination or booster dose can be made at https://myturn.ca.gov as well as through major pharmacy chains.  

WEDNESDAY VACCINATION CLINICS: Mt. SAC hosts free COVID-19 vaccination clinics on Wednesdays from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. in Kerr’s Corner, near the Library (Building 6) entrance and Mountie Café (Building 8). Boosters and pediatric doses are available. Children 17 and under must have an appointment, a parent/guardian present, and evidence of age. Appointments can be made through the Fulgent website at vaccine.fulgentgenetics.com.

FACE COVERINGS GUIDELINES

Following public health guidelines, face coverings are recommended indoors, but not generally required on campus. Some campus locations require face coverings regardless of vaccination status, such as the Health Center and some programs. Free surgical masks are available in dispensers across campus. Students can also pick up a surgical mask from their professors, who have access to the safety kits in each classroom. These safety kits have been provided to offices and classrooms across campus. Employees can replenish their safety kits through Division Offices or the Risk Management Office.

FREE COVID-19 TESTING

Free, on-campus COVID-19 testing is available for students and employees. Both PCR and Antigen tests are available. They both detect the virus in different ways. PCR tests are more accurate because they can detect small amounts of the virus. They require a lab’s analysis and results are usually returned to campus after about 24 hours. The Antigen tests provide results in about 15 minutes, but they are not as accurate as PCR tests. Antigen tests are especially useful for people who are COVID-19 positive and need to determine if they are no longer contagious.

FALL TESTING TIMES/LOCATIONS

Beginning August 22, COVID-19 testing times and locations will be as follows.

• Building 6 Library
• Room identified when making an appointment
• Monday-Thursday, 7 a.m. to 3 p.m.
• Building 26
• Room identified when making an appointment
• Monday-Friday, 7 a.m. to 8 p.m.

USE CLEARED4 LINK TO TRACK TESTING

Use your Cleared4 account to make an appointment and track results. Those who cannot find their custom link can request another link to their Cleared4 account.

 

REPORTING SYMPTOMS AND EXPOSURE

EXPERIENCING SYMPTOMS: If you experience any COVID-19 symptoms, get tested!  COVID-19 symptoms include fever, chills, cough, shortness of breath, fatigue, body aches, headache, new loss of taste/smell, sore throat, runny nose, congestion, sneezing, nausea, diarrhea, and so on. 

CLOSE CONTACT: If you have had close contact (shared the same indoor air space for 15 minutes or more over a 24 hour period) with someone with a confirmed case of COVID-19, get tested, wear a mask, and fill out an online Student Health Check Form or Employee Health Check Form or by email at contacttracing@mtsac.edu or by phone at (909) 274-6900 to obtain further instructions.  

TESTED POSITIVE: If you test positive, fill out an online Student Health Check Form or Employee Health Check Form or by email at contacttracing@mtsac.edu or by phone at (909) 274-6900.  This begins the contact tracing process for positive cases and triggers responses from Custodial Services and Public Safety.  Employees who test positive are eligible for 80 hours of COVID-19 leave. 

CONTACT TRACERS: Work with our Contact Tracing Department to learn more about how to respond to symptoms and COVID-19 exposures, as well as identify people who are close contacts and would need to take additional precautions. Phone: (909) 2746900, Email: contacttracing@mtsac.edu.

ISOLATION AND QUARANTINE

ISOLATION AND QUARANTINE: Work with our Contact Tracing Department if you have questions or concerns about your isolation and quarantine requirements. Mt. SAC follows guidelines from LA County Public Health as well as Cal OSHA.  Isolation keeps someone who is sick or tested positive for COVID-19 without symptoms away from others. In Los Angeles County, if you have COVID-19, you must: (1) isolate yourself, (2) wear a mask indoors and outdoors) and (3) tell your close contacts they have been exposed and need to follow instructions for close contacts. Learn more about Isolation guidelines Los Angeles County public health.  Quarantine is used to keep someone who has been exposed to a person with COVID-19 away from others. They are sometimes called close contacts. Quarantine helps prevent the spread of disease before a person knows they are sick or if they are infected with the virus without feeling symptoms. Read more on Quarantine guidelines from Los Angeles County public health. It's important for employees to follow Contact Tracing's instructions as they must also follow Cal OSHA workplace requirements.

MORE INFORMATION

We appreciate your cooperation in order to provide a safe environment for students and employees, as well as to keep classes and services open. For more information, visit the COVID-19 Public Health site at www.mtsac.edu/covid19. Employees with additional questions should contact their managers. Students with additional questions can contact us at vaxortest@mtsac.edu or (909) 274-5122. 

 

The Mt. SAC Path to Recovery email provides employees a summary of large-scale efforts from the college to navigate the COVID-19 crisis, including its related economic impact. For more information, visit the Public Health website at www.mtsac.edu/covid19.