UCLA's Evolving COVID-19 Policies: A Comprehensive Overview
Introduction
UCLA, like many academic institutions, has continually adapted its COVID-19 protocols in response to the evolving pandemic conditions, aligning with guidelines from county and state public health departments. These adjustments reflect the decreasing severity of the illness and aim to balance campus safety with a return to normalcy. This article provides a comprehensive overview of UCLA's current COVID-19 policies, drawing upon official UCLA communications and guidelines.
Key Changes to COVID-19 Protocols
Several significant changes have been implemented to UCLA's COVID-19 protocols. These changes impact various aspects of campus life, including symptom monitoring, masking, testing, and isolation/quarantine procedures.
End of Daily Symptom Monitoring
Beginning August 15, the daily symptom monitoring survey is no longer required for students, faculty, and staff who live, learn, or work at UCLA or other UCLA properties. Instead, individuals are asked to complete a self-assessment of COVID-19 symptoms and refrain from coming to campus, attending classes, or leaving their residence if symptoms are present.
The symptom monitoring system has been repurposed as the UCLA COVID-19 Action Center. Positive tests performed outside of the UCLA testing program must be reported through the UCLA COVID-19 Action Center (formerly known as the Symptom Monitoring System) beginning August.
Masking Policy
As of August 15, indoor masking is strongly encouraged but no longer required on the UCLA campus or at UCLA facilities, except where the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health (LACDPH) still requires masks to be worn indoors, such as healthcare settings, transportation hubs, and public transportation in L.A. County.
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UCLA strongly recommends wearing a highly protective mask (i.e., surgical, N95, KN95, or KP94) while indoors with others. Masks remain available free of charge for students, faculty, and staff at various locations, including the UCLA PPE Store, the John Wooden Center, residence hall front desks, the Student Activities Center, and Ackerman Union.
Testing and Vaccination
Weekly COVID-19 testing is no longer required. However, UCLA students, staff, and faculty may continue to test up to twice weekly through the campus vending machine system if they are concerned they may have been exposed to COVID-19. Those who test positive through the UCLA testing program will be contacted by the UCLA Exposure Management Team with isolation instructions.
Vaccination remains a crucial strategy for preventing severe illness from COVID-19. UCLA faculty, staff, and students who are living, learning, or working on UCLA properties are required to provide proof of vaccination and COVID-19 boosters (when eligible) or request an exception. International students are encouraged to get vaccinated, including in their home countries. However, only vaccines that have been granted emergency use authorization by the World Health Organization meet the university’s current vaccination policy.
Isolation and Quarantine Policies
Adherence to the latest UCLA isolation/quarantining policies is essential for those who have tested positive for COVID-19 or, in limited situations, have been in close contact with an individual who has tested positive. Those who test positive must isolate for 10 days unless the Criteria for Early Release from Isolation are met.
UCLA is following Los Angeles County Department of Public Health guidelines on isolation for students who test positive for COVID-19. Symptomatic individuals who test positive should isolate at home until (1) they have been fever-free for 24 hours without medication and/or (2) their other symptoms are mild or improving. While isolating, wearing a mask is required if they come into contact with others, including those they live with. Even after the isolation period, masking is required for 10 days from the onset of symptoms.
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In some cases, symptoms may return or worsen after the isolation period, known as "COVID-19 rebound." In such instances, individuals must isolate away from others and contact the Ashe COVID Hotline or UCLA Occupational Health for guidance.
Individuals exposed to COVID-19 should monitor for symptoms for 10 days after exposure and take a COVID-19 test 3-5 days after exposure. If they test positive, they must follow the reporting and isolation instructions.
Specific Guidelines for Healthcare Workers
Healthcare workers (HCW) in UCLA Health clinical areas (including medical, dental, and nursing clinics) must follow specific COVID-19 protocols for healthcare settings. As of February 3, 2025, it is no longer necessary to report COVID-19 positive test results to Occupational Health.
HCWs with suspected or confirmed respiratory viral infection, regardless of whether testing is performed, should not return to work until at least 24 hours have passed with no fever (without the use of fever-reducing medicines), symptoms are improving, and they feel well enough to return to work. They should wear a facemask for source control in all patient care and common areas of the facility for at least 10 days after symptom onset or positive test (if asymptomatic), if not already wearing a facemask as part of universal source control masking. Frequent hand hygiene is essential, especially before and after each patient encounter or contact with respiratory secretions. HCWs who test positive for COVID-19 should wait until at least 3 days have passed since symptom onset.
Resources and Support
UCLA provides various resources and support services to assist students, faculty, and staff during the pandemic. Instructors are committed to accommodating students who can't be in class due to COVID-19 isolation protocols through video or audio streaming or recordings, makeup assignments and assessments, alternative projects, or other means. UCLA is committed to ensuring that students with disabilities have an equal opportunity to participate in the rich academic experience UCLA offers.
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Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS) is open during regular business hours, providing all services through telehealth.
