Spring 2023 COVID Employee Protocols
Employee Has COVID-19 Symptons or Tests Positive
If you are experiencing COVID-19 symptoms but have not tested positive
- Do not come to campus, notify your supervisor, and it is recommended to use a rapid antigen test as a precaution.
- You may use available sick or vacation leave, as necessary.
- Once you feel better, you should notify your supervisor of your intention to return-to-work. No clearance from Risk Management is necessary.
- You do not need to send negative test results to the District.
- Please wear a mask indoors for 10 days from start of symptoms.
If you test positive for COVID-19 (either via rapid antigen test or PCR test)
- Do not come to campus and notify both your supervisor and COVID@miracosta.edu.
- You may use available sick or vacation leave, as necessary.
- Isolation is at least 5 days. Risk Management will communicate most current isolation requirements. These requirements change periodically, so please make sure to contact COVID@miracosta.edu to obtain the most up-to-date guidance.
- Risk Management will ask for the following information:
- Date of positive test
- Date of symptom onset (if any)
- Last day on campus
- Locations worked on last day on campus
- Any employees that may have been within close contact with the affected individual within the 48 hours of symptom onset or positive test
- Risk Management will send out a close contact notification to any employees identified above, with instructions regarding any potential additional actions.
If you are identified as a close contact of a person with COVID-19
- You may come to campus. You do not need to quarantine.
- Report details to COVID@miracosta.edu and Risk Management can communicate most current quarantine guidance.
- You should rapid antigen test 3-5 days from last contact, wear a mask indoors for 10 days, and closely monitor symptoms.
If you need an at-home rapid antigen test
- You may contact COVID@miracosta.edu and request four testing kits from Risk Management to keep on hand for this purpose.
- The “iHealth” tests in the District’s possession have had their expiration dates extended by the FDA to at least April 2023. Additionally, CDPH allows the use of expired antigen tests as long as the control bar shows up properly.
COVID-19 Supplemental Benefits
Supplementary Paid Sick Leave (i.e. “COVID Sick Leave”) expired at the end of 2022 and is no longer available. Exclusion pay related to being excluded from work due to COVID-19 has also expired. If an employee must isolate or quarantine from work due to COVID-19 illness, they may still be eligible for certain benefits. Employees should contact the Human Resources Department at hr_department@miracosta.edu with questions regarding benefits.
Mask Policy
MiraCosta College strongly recommends wearing masks while indoors when the County CDC Risk is “High”, but will not require them. The usage of masks inside buildings and classrooms will be done at the discretion of each individual according to personal health preferences. Health Services and Athletic Training will still require masks until April 3, 2023, per new CDPH regulations. After April 3, no masks will be required in healthcare settings.
Individuals who are immunocompromised, or who care for at-risk family members, may also wish to continue masking. The District will continue to make surgical masks available to employees and students. Higher quality KN95 masks and N95 respirators are also available to employees by request through Melanie Haynie in Administrative Services at mhaynie@miracosta.edu.
Continuing COVID-19 Safety Protocols
The District will continue safety strategy in line with the state SMARTER plan for COVID-19. This includes:
- Shots: Promoting the benefits of vaccination and scheduling vaccination events on campus.
- Masks: Maintaining supply of disposable masks and respirators, as required by Cal/OSHA.
- Awareness: Analysis of community case rate, positivity percentage, and wastewater metrics to inform mitigation methods.
- Readiness: Maintaining MERV13+ ventilation standards in all District-owned buildings.
- Testing: Maintaining our supply of rapid antigen at-home tests for employee use, as required by Cal/OSHA.
- Education: Providing appropriate training & recommendations based on public health guidance.
- Rx: Promoting antiviral and monoclonal antibody treatments in the community.
For any questions regarding District COVID-19 safety policy, please reach out to Risk & Safety Manager Justin Crast at jcrast@miracosta.edu or at COVID@miracosta.edu.
The most current COVID Prevention Plan can be read on the Risk Management SharePoint site.
Stay healthy & safe!
