MiraCosta College COVID-19 Updates

Summer & Fall 2022

As part of MiraCosta College’s safe, steady, and sustainable approach to COVID-19 protocols and procedures, MiraCosta College will proceed with the following as it relates to COVID-19 vaccinations, usage of masks, and COVID-19 tracing.

Mask Mandate

Effective Wednesday, June 1, 2022, the usage of masks inside buildings and classrooms will be done at the discretion of each individual according to personal health preferences. MiraCosta College strongly recommends wearing masks while indoors but will not require them. *Health Services will still require masks per CDPH regulations.

Vaccination Requirement

Students & Community Members
Students and community members present on a MiraCosta College facility, will not be required to receive the COVID-19 vaccine. However, they are highly encouraged to do so.

Employees
The employee vaccine mandate, BP/AP 7330: Communicable Disease, will remain in effect unless an approved exemption * for religious or medical reasons has been granted. All new employees will still be required to be vaccinated.

*Exempted employees will receive appropriate accommodations.

Booster

As of the week of April 20, in San Diego County, 77.3% of the eligible population are fully vaccinated, but only 55.9% have gotten a booster. MiraCosta College and the County of San Diego support COVID-19 boosters for those who are eligible and meet the California Department of Public Health (CDPH) guidelines for time between doses.

COVID Tracing

Effective Wednesday, June 1, 2022, contact tracing will not be required for employees and visitors. MiraCosta College will retire the COVID-19 tracing app and remove QR codes from all District facilities.

Event Protocol

Larger events should remain outdoors and any event that may approach 1,000 total attendees must remain outdoors. The planned commencement ceremonies will remain outdoors. Audience members and visitors are not required to wear masks outdoors.

Where Can I Find Additional Information?

For current information on MiraCosta’s return to campus and how to get vaccinated or receive the booster, please visit miracosta.edu/COVID. Students and employees can also ask questions at COVID@miracosta.edu.

We appreciate your cooperation as we maintain existing safety protocols through May and then these changes, above, will be implemented as of June 1, 2022.

Spring 2022 Reminder

Any student who does not submit vaccination documentation or an exemption request by January 10 (last Monday), could be dropped from their on-campus course(s) a week prior to the course start date.

If you received the COVID vaccination (single-dose vaccine - e.g. Johnson & Johnson or the second dose in a two-dose series - e.g. Pfizer or Moderna) prior to January 10 and still have not submitted your verification, submit the proof in SURF TODAY!

If your COVID-19 vaccination or exemption request was not submitted prior to January 10, you need to submit today, January 14.

Students can also consider looking for available online courses by visiting miracosta.edu/open or find the spring 2022 schedule in SURF. Additionally, there are several 8-week, late-start classes that begin the week of March 28, which will allow time to receive the vaccine and submit documentation for clearance.

Find a COVID-19 vaccination location by visiting:myturn.ca.gov.

Thank you for your ongoing understanding as we strive to provide accurate and timely information in a time of constant change.

Stay Healthy, MiraCosta!

EMPLOYEE: SUBMITTING VACCINATION DOCS OR EXEMPTION REQUEST

Indoor Mask Requirement

MiraCosta College is committed to providing a safe and healthy learning environment. In the interest of public health, and to mitigate the spread of COVID-19, MiraCosta College requires everyone on campus visiting indoors of any District building, to wear a double-layered CDC-approved facial mask at all times. If someone refuses to wear a facial covering properly, they will be addressed, given the opportunity to put on a mask, and if they do not, they will be asked to leave.

Face masks are required to be properly worn over the nose and mouth indoors while on District property. Students, employees, and community members may only remove their face mask on District property while they are:

• alone outdoors
• in a private office alone
• while eating in a designated break room or cafe
• while eating, drinking, or taking medication for brief periods of time in other indoor areas
• while communicating for brief periods of time indoors with a person who is hearing impaired when the ability to see the mouth is essential for communication

Face mask requirements apply to everyone while indoors, regardless of vaccination status.

If you need a facemask, you can pick one up at any of the following places:

• Student Services offices and front desks.
• Designated classrooms with on-ground/hybrid courses: All scheduled on-ground classrooms and regularly scheduled meeting spaces will be equipped with personal protective equipment (PPE) boxes that contain disposable and cloth masks, hand sanitizer, and ample surface wipes.
• Library and tutoring centers.

Board Policy 5210: Communicable Disease

The MiraCosta Community College District is committed to providing a safe and healthy campus. The district shall establish administrative procedures necessary to assure cooperation with local public health officials in measures necessary for the prevention and control of communicable diseases.

SARS-CoV-2 and the disease it causes, COVID-19, is a global pandemic and has resulted in widespread illness and death worldwide, in the United States, and in California.

In furtherance of this commitment, the district shall establish administrative procedures regarding COVID-19 vaccination to mitigate the risks surrounding exposure to COVID-19. These administrative procedures will require that all students who are on district premises for any face-to-face instructional and student support activities (e.g., office hours, classes, library, tutoring, etc.) have been fully vaccinated against COVID-19. The district will accept any COVID-19 vaccine that has been Food and Drug Administration (FDA) Emergency Use Authorized (EUA) and/or has been approved by the World Health Organization (WHO). Exemptions from these vaccine requirements are specified in AP 5210.

The COVID Vaccine is Available for Everyone Over the Age of 16

Effective April 15, 2021, vaccinations are being provided to everyone age 16+.

Scheduling Your Vaccination Appointment

• Healthcare Provider: If you have a doctor or are enrolled with a local healthcare system, please work with them to schedule an appointment. Many providers are notifying their patients directly with next steps to receive the COVID-19 vaccine based on federal and state guidance.
• County Locations: If you are unable to get the COVID-19 vaccine from a healthcare provider, the County of San Diego and its partners are offering vaccinations to individuals in eligible priority groups. Appointment information for County vaccination super stations and PODs is available online at www.VaccinationSuperStationSD.com.

While vaccines have arrived in the region, supplies remain extremely limited. Please be patient—as supply increases, providers will be able to perform more vaccinations. Please note that vaccination appointments are limited and subject to vaccine availability.

Before Your Vaccination Appointment

• Take it easy the night before to ensure potential symptoms are not a result of other unrelated activities.
• Anticipate the COVID-19 vaccines may cause minor side effects in some people, like sore muscles, feeling tired, or mild fever.
• Do not take acetaminophen or ibuprofen in anticipation of potentially having side effects from the vaccine. Taking these medications for the purpose of preventing post-vaccination symptoms is not currently recommended.
• When you go to your appointment, remember to:
  • Watch your distance - stay at least 6 feet away from others.
  • Wear a mask that covers your nose and mouth.

During Your Vaccination Appointment

• A COVID-19 vaccination card will be given to you when you receive your first dose of the vaccine. It will list:
• The type of vaccine you received.
• The date you received it.
• Where you received it.
• Keep this vaccination card in a safe place and bring it with you to your second dose appointment.
• If you have a smartphone with you, it is recommended you take a picture of your vaccination card in case you misplace the physical card between appointments.
• You will also receive a fact sheet that tells you more about the COVID-19 vaccine you received.
• You will be monitored for allergic reactions on-site for 15-30 minutes.
• You will be advised to register for v-safe for:
• Personalized health check-ins,
• Reminders to get your second dose,
• Quickly tells the CDC if you have any side effects, and after getting the COVID-19 vaccine.

Thank you for your ongoing understanding as we strive to provide accurate and timely information in a time of constant fluctuation. For all other questions or comments, please email HR_Department@miracosta.edu.

Frequently Asked Questions