Find answers to commonly asked questions about COVID and its impact across the Los Rios campuses.
FAQ: Vaccine Information
No, there is currently no vaccine requirement.
Consistent with guidance from local public health experts, we strongly recommend wearing masks and appropriate face coverings when indoors. We also strongly recommend that everyone eligible continue to stay up-to-date on their COVID-19 vaccine and booster regimens.
All Los Rios employees were provided supplemental COVID-19 leave effective January 1, 2022, through June 30, 2023. For eligible employees, up to 40 hours of COVID leave was available for absences related to getting a COVID-19 vaccination or booster shot, or missing work due to symptoms. An additional 40 hours of COVID leave was available for employees who tested positive for COVID and were unable to work, or for employees whose family members tested positive for COVID (which then prevented the employee from working).
Beginning July 1, 2023, employees should use Illness leave for COVID-related absences, or, if caring for a family member, Personal Necessity (PRN) leave.
| Reason for Leave | Type of Leave to Use |
|---|---|
| Advised to quarantine by doctor/District: Asymptomatic | Illness |
| Advised to quarantine by doctor/District: Symptomatic | Illness |
| Vaccine/Booster Appointment (self) | Illness |
| Symptoms or reaction to vaccine/booster (self) | Illness |
| Caring for a family member advised to quarantine | Personal Necessity |
| Caring for a family member with COVID symptoms | Personal Necessity |
| Child's school or daycare closed due to COVID | Personal Necessity |
| Caring for a family member who had a reaction to a vaccine/booster | Personal Necessity |
Booster shots are available for everyone 12 and older. Get a booster shot as soon as you're eligible:
- If you got a Moderna or Pfizer vaccine, then get a booster shot after five months.
- If you got a Johnson & Johnson vaccine, then get a booster shot after two months.
Your booster shot can be a different vaccine brand than you got in your original series. A Pfizer or Moderna booster is strongly advised for those who got the Johnson & Johnson vaccine. Those aged 12 to 17 can only get a Pfizer booster. To book your booster shot or find a walk-in clinic, visit the State of California’s MyTurn website.
Yes, Los Rios has completed negotiations with all of our collective bargaining units on the impacts of the vaccination requirement on employee groups. We will continue to work closely with all of our labor partners throughout the implementation and follow our negotiated contracts.
FAQ: Masks and PPE
Masks are strongly recommended for all students, employees, and visitors in any indoor space at American River College, regardless of vaccination status. For outdoor activities, masks are always permissible and anyone who feels safer or more comfortable wearing a face-covering outdoors is encouraged to do so.
We expect that employees and students will continue to wear masks in the following situations:
- Individuals who are symptomatic and on campus to pick up a free COVID test should continue to wear a mask.
- Individuals who were recently exposed to a positive COVID case should continue to wear a mask for 10 days, even if they have been cleared to return early (prior to 10 days after exposure) based either on vaccine/booster status or by testing negative at day 5 or later.
- Individuals who have tested positive for COVID and who have returned early (prior to 10 days) based on receiving a negative COVID test on or after day 5 should continue to wear a mask through day 10.
Masks and other PPE are available via the Operations Department. At American River College, contact Operations at (916) 484-8300 or visit Maintenance Connection.
If you choose to wear a mask, then we strongly recommend wearing surgical masks or higher-level respirator N95 or KN95 masks instead of cloth masks or other face-coverings that provide less protection. Read the California Department of Public Health's latest guidance on masks and face coverings.
Scarfs, ski masks, balaclavas, bandanas, turtlenecks, collars, or single layers of fabric are not acceptable face coverings, as they do not provide adequate protection from the COVID-19 virus. Additionally, face shields should not be used in lieu of masks.
FAQ: Health, Safety, and Testing
Free antigen at-home tests are available to students and employees.
Locations and Hours
- American River College Health and Wellness Center, Monday through Thursday from 8:30 am to 4:00 pm
- Cosumnes River College Health and Wellness Center, Monday through Thursday from 9:00 am to 4:00 pm
- Folsom Lake College:
- Students: Folsom Lake College Welcome and Student Success Center, Monday through Thursday from 8:30 am to 4:00 pm
- Employees: Folsom Lake College Campus Operations, Monday through Thursday from 8:30 am to 4:00 pm
- Sacramento City College Health and Wellness Center, Monday through Thursday from 9:00 am to 3:00 pm
At-home tests are also available through healthcare providers and local pharmacies. Most healthcare providers will reimburse patients for tests purchased at pharmacies. Visit the California Department of Public Health Find a Testing Site website.
Any student who reports having tested positive for COVID-19 should be asked to leave the class immediately if they have not passed the required quarantine period. Faculty or staff should contact their division dean or supervisor within 24 hours of being notified. The dean or supervisor will initiate the contact tracing protocols that we have in place.
Any student who reports COVID-19 exposure should be directed to complete the COVID-19 Interactive Decision Chart and follow all directions provided. Based on the outcome and contact tracing protocols, all appropriate individuals will be notified and provided with next steps.
Employees can access a full array of informational resources on the COVID-19 reporting and forms page.
If you test positive for COVID-19, then do not come to campus. Report your positive COVID-19 test using the COVID Reporting Form Appendix C.
Absence Reporting for Employees
Notify your manager/supervisor. If you are directed by your supervisor/manager to quarantine or isolate, then you will be provided notification and directions for absence reporting.
Please keep your manager/supervisor updated.
Reporting
Find procedures, forms, and training for each location:
Employees and students will be notified of a known COVID-19 exposure and provided guidance on next steps.
Faculty with questions or concerns about a specific course should contact their dean, who will work with the college vice president of instruction on appropriate next steps based on current COVID protocols.
No. Faculty with questions or concerns about a specific course should contact their dean, who will work with the college vice president of instruction on appropriate next steps based on current COVID protocols.
Cal/OSHA regulations require that employers implement a site-specific, written COVID-19 prevention program to address COVID-19 health hazards, correct unsafe or unhealthy conditions, and provide face coverings. The program includes:
- Identifying and evaluating employee exposures to COVID-19 health hazards
- Implementing effective policies and procedures to correct unsafe and unhealthy conditions (such as safe physical distancing, modifying the workplace, and staggering work schedules)
- Providing and ensuring workers wear face coverings to prevent exposure in the workplace
- Provide effective training and instruction to employees on how COVID-19 is spread, infection prevention techniques, and information regarding COVID-19-related benefits that affected employees may be entitled to under applicable federal, state, or local laws
- Read the Cal/OSHA COVID-19 Emergency Temporary Standards – What Employers Need to Know
FAQ: Facilities, Sanitation, and Campus Access
COVID mitigation measures to prepare our facilities primarily involve building ventilation and air filtration systems, but Facilities Management (FM) would also do a full HVAC system functions test and inspection for each building prior to occupancy.
Before the pandemic, we already regularly performed these system checks throughout the year, typically coinciding with filter replacements (every four months). Now, we will perform additional checks before reopening facilities. These checks help ensure systems are performing the necessary CDC/ASHRAE recommended air exchanges and sufficient outside fresh air is being pulled into the buildings.
Before reopening a facility, we will also verify that we can remotely communicate with the building's HVAC controls through the District's Energy Management System (EMS).
Read Making Our Buildings Resilient During COVID-19 to learn more.
We use the CDC-recommended American Society of Heating, Refrigeration and Air-Conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE) standards. Read Making Our Buildings Resilient During COVID-19 to learn more.
All buildings that are currently occupied have MERV-13 filters, the industry standard for COVID-19 mitigation. MERV-13 filters are recommended because they can trap smaller particles, including viruses, and are equivalent to N95 masks with regards to protection and air quality.
In the event a building's HVAC system cannot accommodate the MERV-13 filters, we are performing additional building "flushing" two hours prior and two hours after occupancy as recommended by CDC/ASHRAE for these situations. As more buildings open to accommodate more people coming to campus, we will perform HVAC system checks and filter changes prior to occupancy.
