Dear Colleagues,

As you know, the situation regarding the new coronavirus (COVID-19) continues to evolve in California and around the world. Our top priority is the health and safety of our community and the public at large. To that end, UC ANR is following the guidance of state and local Departments of Public Health, the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), and the World Health Organization (WHO). Please stay up-to-date with U.S. State Department advisories and CDC's travel health notices related to COVID-19.

In addition, the UC Office of the President has activated its Emergency Operations Center, and is holding frequent conference calls, including medical, environmental health and safety, administrative, and emergency management leadership from across the entire UC system to ensure a coordinated and timely response to this fluid situation.

The University of California revised its instructions on travel on March 5, including countries that UC travelers should avoid, based on CDC travel health alerts. Please consider the potential for additional countries to be added to the restricted travel list which could result in unplanned mandatory quarantine periods upon return to the U.S. We encourage limiting non-essential domestic and international travel.

We are monitoring the situation closely, in partnership with our systemwide colleagues, and taking steps to prepare for potential location closures or social distancing measures. At the present time, no UC ANR locations have been closed, but unit/office leaders are preparing plans including ensuring that employees have what they need to work remotely. We are advising maximum flexibility in allowing UC ANR staff members to work remotely. The attached FAQ document provides additional important guidance for supervisors related to staff and work environment during this crisis.

Many of you are asking if you should cancel or avoid events. Please follow the CDC guidance to postpone or cancel mass gatherings or large community events, and to avoid attending mass gatherings. Where possible, leverage the use of technology in lieu of in-person large meetings or gatherings. It is especially important for people at higher risk to avoid mass gatherings. Those at higher risk include:

• Older adults. The risk is believed to escalate with age, with persons over age 80 in the highest risk category.
• People who have serious chronic medical conditions such as heart disease, diabetes, or lung diseases, as well as those with severely weakened immune systems.

For more information on “People at Risk for Serious Illness From COVID-19,” see https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/specific-groups/high-risk-complications.html.

Most UC ANR outreach events are not mass gatherings; for smaller gatherings, follow local guidance from your county's public health department. Counties have different guidance depending on the degree of risk, so responses need to be customized to address the local situation and type of activity. Contact Brian Oatman in Risk and Safety Services if you are unsure about the guidance in your location.

Because coronavirus is not an airborne virus but rather is transmitted by droplets that live on surfaces, it is advised to eliminate breakfast and lunch buffets where attendees can serve themselves, to avoid physical contact such as handshaking or hugs, to provide an ample supply of disinfecting wipes on meeting room tables, and of course to follow all guidelines set forth by certified public health officials.

We must count on event participants to use their best judgment in deciding whether or not to attend events; attendees should be alerted that if they have any signs of illness, including but not limited to coughing, sneezing, sore throat, fever, chills, etc., within the two weeks prior to an event they should not attend for their safety and the safety of others.

When considering postponing, canceling or rescheduling events, consider the following:

• Duration of event
• Venue type (open air vs. closed space)
• Demographics of participants
• Complexity of event operations
• Types of on-site services and activities available

If event organizers choose not to postpone, cancel, or reschedule, they should be prepared to implement the following prevention strategies, based on the advice of public health officials:

• Distribute health messages about COVID-19 to event staff and participants ahead of event and on event materials distributed during the event. Encourage people to stay home if they are sick.
• Make sure that hand-washing facilities are readily available and if possible, have hand sanitizer and disinfecting wipes available.
• Develop flexible refund policies for participants.
• Be prepared to separate those who become sick at your event from those who are well.
• Identify actions to take if you need to postpone or cancel.

Please see the CDPH guidance for event organizers or the CDC web site for the most current information about precautions and prevention in the community.

Finally and most importantly, it is crucial for all members of the UC ANR community to follow the recommendations for preventive care which have the greatest likelihood of protecting us as individuals as well as the larger community by diminishing the chances of transmission of the virus:

• Wash your hands frequently with soap and water for a minimum of 20 seconds, or, as an alternative, use alcohol-based hand sanitizer.
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth.
• Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces using a regular household cleaning spray or wipe.
• Stay home if you are sick and avoid close contact with people who are sick.
• Cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue, throw the tissue in the trash and wash your hands.

In addition, it is recommended that people practice good health habits: get plenty of sleep, be physically active, manage stress, drink plenty of fluids and eat nutritious food. If you have not received your annual flu shot, please schedule one with your provider to help protect yourself against the flu. And do not smoke or use e-cigarettes.

Please review the FAQ for additional guidance and contact Brian Oatman, director of Risk and Safety Services, or John Fox, executive director of Human Resources, if you have any questions.

Glenda Humiston
Vice President