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UC Riverside

School of Medicine

A Community-Based Medical School for the 21st Century

School of Medicine Updates on COVID-19

This webpage contains links to content about COVID-19's impact upon the UCR School of Medicine.

Masking Update - March 2022

In March 2022, the UC Riverside campus announced that it would be adjusting some COVID-19 health and safety guidelines in alignment with guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and state and local health authorities.

The UCR School of Medicine will be following these guidelines.

Face Coverings – Beginning April 11

For individuals who are up to date on vaccinations, including booster doses, masks are STRONGLY RECOMMENDED while indoors in all academic, non-healthcare settings, including:

  • SOM Education Building and Center for Simulated Patient Care
  • SOM Research Building
  • Multidisciplinary Research Building
  • Webber Hall
  • UC PATH/Intellicenter

Face coverings are REQUIRED in all healthcare settings, including all UCR Health facilities and clinics.

For individuals who are NOT up to date on vaccinations, or who have an approved exemption, face coverings are REQUIRED AT ALL TIMES while indoors in any setting.

For individuals who are COVID-19 positive and returning from isolation, or who have been exposed to someone with COVID-19, face coverings may be required for a limited duration.

Face coverings will continue to be available on campus for students and employees.

Wellness Checks

Beginning March 28, the Daily Wellness Check will no longer be required. The survey will change to the COVID Screening Check, and employees and students will be required to complete if:

  • They are reporting the result of a positive COVID-19 test  
  • They have COVID-like symptoms
  • They were exposed to someone who tested positive for COVID-19
  • They are reporting the completion of their required weekly COVID test (if not up to date on vaccinations, or have an approved exemption)

COVID-19 Testing

Expectations for COVID-19 testing in spring quarter are unchanged from winter quarter. Testing protocols are as follows:

  • All vaccinated, asymptomatic employees and students who are working or learning on campus are expected to take a PCR test at least once every month and report the results through the COVID screening check.
  • Anyone who is not up to date on vaccinations or who has an approved exemption is required to test once a week and report the results through the COVID screening check.

The on-campus testing sites remain open and information about hours and appointments is available on the Campus Return website.

SOM Return to Clinical and Return to Campus Plans

Click the info card below to download the specific file or go to the appropriate website.

UCR SOM Onsite Training Guidelines During COVID-19

Version date: 7/27/21
Approval dates: 8/9/2021

These guidelines are applicable to all in-person educational activities within UCR SOM sites. Please note that additional safety procedures not outlined in this document may also be necessary and will be determined on a case-by- case basis.

Primer for Student Return to Clinical Environment with COVID-19

Updated: August 9, 2021

This primer is to help ensure the health and safety of medical students as you reenter the clinical environment in the era of COVID-19.

COVID-19 Student Guidelines

Updated: January 13, 2022

UCR SOM is committed to our students’ safety especially while you are taking care of patients.  The COVID epidemic has posed a unique challenge for all healthcare workers as it can be easily transmitted both in the community as well as the clinical setting.  We consider our students who are on clinical rotations to be part of our essential healthcare team and they need to be adept in providing safe patient care during this COVID prevalent time.  This document provides helpful guidelines to assist you as you navigate patient care.

UCR Vaccination & Return to Campus Guidelines

UCR Environmental Health & Safety COVID-19 Website

UCR Health Resources

UCR Health COVID-19 Hotline

UCR Health has established a hotline, (844) 827-6827, for all UCR faculty and staff who are concerned they might have contracted COVID-19.  In addition, health care personnel and other employees who have tested positive for COVID-19 should report to their supervisor or can call the hotline to report for the purpose of addressing employee and patient safety.

Information About Working from Home
for SOM Staff & Faculty

School of Medicine Information Technologies has created an informational page on options for working remotely. Please visit https://somit.ucr.edu/keep-som-running for more information. Helpdesk tickets may be submitted via this link.