Dear Colleagues,

This email is an update to our District-Wide Return to Campus Plan.

As we work to maintain a safe environment for everyone, and in listening to the discussion and conversation at the Special Board Meeting on July 21, 2021, the return to campus date has been moved from August 1, 2021, to August 30, 2021.

• Classified staff will return to campus a minimum of two days a week by August 30, 2021.
• The management team will remain on their minimum of two days a week in the office schedule for August, and then return to campus five days a week by August 30, 2021.

Below, please note some additional information and logistics around this return to work date:

• Some individuals may be required to return to work sooner than the August 30 date and/or for more than two days a week as necessary to support the return to campus for the Fall semester. These individuals will be notified separately.
• It is recommended that you visit your on-campus work site prior to your return date in early August to ensure all of your technology and systems are working properly. If you find anything is not working properly, please work with your supervisor to reach out to IITS or the appropriate support area, so that all systems can be up and running prior to August 30. 
• Please schedule this visit through your department so that it can be included in our essential personnel tracking process.
• If you come to campus in August, please remember that all COVID-19 safety protocols remain in place. While on campus, masks must be worn both indoors and outdoors. All individuals must fill out the health screening tool prior to arriving on campus. When interacting with others, social distancing must remain in place.

Finally, the State of California, the California State University, and the University of California systems are putting into place vaccine mandates. Because of this, the Chancellor’s Office has recommended that California Community Colleges develop vaccine mandate plans. In light of all of this information, though many conversations on this topic and consultation with the campus constituency leaders, LBCC has made the decision to mandate vaccines, to strive to create the healthiest and safest environment for all.

LBCC is still in the planning stages of developing vaccination verification/weekly testing protocols. We will send additional information once they are confirmed.

As we continue to reopen the campus, we would like to take this opportunity to provide you with some additional information.

The new Health Order issued by the City of Long Beach Department of Health and Human Services on July 17, 2021 states all individuals must use facial coverings in indoor public settings regardless of vaccination status. Although face coverings are not required outdoors, by this Order, LBCC elects to follow the highest safety protocols and face coverings are required when outdoors as well.

Accordingly, as we return to campus on August 30, all individuals must wear a mask, indoors and outdoors, while on campus, regardless of vaccine status. Please continue to be informed that LBCC continues to practice six feet of physical distancing for vaccinated and unvaccinated persons while indoors or outdoors. 

In addition, face coverings are required for everyone, regardless of vaccination status who work in and/or visit the following locations:

• Indoors in K-12 schools, childcare/child development centers, and other youth settings
• Healthcare settings (including long term care facilities)
• Public transit
• Correctional and detention facilities
• Shelters (homeless or emergency shelters and cooling centers)

There are a few exceptions to wearing face coverings indoors for unvaccinated persons including:

• When eating and drinking
• When an accommodation is required
• When job duties make a face-covering infeasible or create a hazard

Current policy requires that Long Beach City College maintain essential personnel lists and contact tracing is still mandated for all employees regardless of vaccination status. Thus, these practices will remain unchanged. Likewise, the health screening process before entering onto campus and the temperature screening process will also remain in place for all employees regardless of vaccination status.

The College will continue to make available masks and sanitizer. Please work with your department to contact the following individual to request either of these resources: Cheryl Williams, Operations Manager, at cwilliams@lbcc.edu. The custodial team will continue to participate in enhanced cleaning practices to help ensure a healthy and safe environment for all.

Finally, the District developed a survey for input from all campus employees, to continue to work together in a collaborative fashion to develop the steps and measures that can be taken to make the return to work as comfortable as possible. Use this survey link which should only take 5-10 minutes to fill out. Your input into this process is greatly appreciated.

As a general reminder

• Stay home if you are sick with a cough, shortness of breath, difficulty breathing, fever, chills or if you are currently under quarantine or isolation.
• Be considerate and keep your distance (about 2 arms lengths) from others.
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose, or mouth.
• Cover your mouth and nose when you sneeze or cough.
• Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds.
• Clean your hands with soap and water or use hand sanitizer after contact with frequently touched surfaces.

Steps for Handwashing

Stop the spread of germs and keep yourself and others from getting sick.

1. Wet your hands with water.
2. Lather up with soap. Soap gets rid of the oil that helps germs stick to your hands.
3. Rub and scrub your hands together for at least 20 seconds. Strongly rub and scrub your wrists, palms, between fingers, under your nails, and the backs of your hands. The soap and scrubbing action loosens the germs off your hands.
4. Rinse your hands thoroughly with warm, running water.  
5. Dry your hands completely with a clean towel or paper towel. Use the towel to turn off the faucet when you’re finished drying your hands. Throw the paper towel away.

If soap and water aren’t available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer. Alcohol-based hand sanitizers can usually be found as gel or wipes. Make sure the product is at least 60 percent alcohol. To use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer:

• Rub the gel or wipe all over both hands.
• Rub hands together for 20 seconds until they feel dry.

Resources

• Long Beach City College Coronavirus Updates 
• California Department of Public Health 
• Cal/OSHA COVID-19 Guidance and Resources 

Thank you for your flexibility and your cooperation in this ever-changing situation.