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*UPDATE: As of 7/27/2023, the COVID Response Center Hotline has been discontinued. To report a COVID case, please visit the COVID Positive Page.

For Merced County, face covering requirements are based on the COVID-19 Hospital Admission Levels per CDC.

(Scroll down past national data to county data and hover over Merced County on the map).

Merced County's current hospital admission status as of 9/9/2023 is:

LOW: Face coverings are not required but strongly encouraged

Face Coverings: CDC Hospital Admission Levels

High Transmission Level for Merced County

All indoor activities will require face coverings for students, employees and guests.

Medium Transmission Level for Merced County

Indoor classroom and instructional activities require face coverings.

Exempt Situations:

Instructors engaged in teaching.
Students, faculty and staff who must remove face coverings during indoor performing arts rehearsals may continue to do so. Face coverings must be worn in indoor rehearsal spaces when not practicing, rehearsing or performing.

Low Transmission Level for Merced County

Face coverings are not required but are strongly encouraged

Face coverings are required regardless of CDC Transmission Status for the following situations:

Anyone with respiratory symptoms (e.g., cough runny nose, and/or sore throat), must still wear a mask when visiting the UCM Student Health Center

When face coverings are required, the following are exempt situations:

In an enclosed private space (such as an occupant’s private office with door closed or an individual’s dorm room)
Showering, washing their face or brushing their teeth in a residence hall or other UC Merced facility with common bathroom facilities
While eating or drinking
Engaged in indoor, approved intercollegiate athletic activities (while physically practicing or playing), where wearing a face covering could inhibit their ability to breathe, provided they observe other appropriate mitigation measures
Children under age 2
Persons with a medical or mental health condition or developmental disability that prevents wearing a face covering
Anyone performing a specific task that cannot feasibly be performed with a face covering. This exception is limited to the time period in which such tasks are actually being performed

Merced County Statistics

California COVID-19 State Dashboard: Merced County (updated weekly)

The above statistics are neither produced nor owned by UC Merced. UC Merced is not responsible for their accuracy.

Fall 2023 Semester

When Visiting Campus

If you plan to visit campus for any reason, even if as an invited guest, please check with your campus contact for any special considerations or precautions for your visit. Also, take the time to familiarize yourself with the following general guidelines.

If you feel sick, stay home. Visitors may not enter University facilities if they have tested positive for COVID-19 or feel unwell. Students, staff, and faculty will submit Health Screening Questionnaire if they are sick - see more details below.

Asymptomatic (surveillance) testing has been discontinued. Free rapid antigen tests will continue to be available to all students, staff, and faculty at distribution sites.

List of COVID Antigen Test Distribution Sites

UC Merced Students, Faculty, and Staff: Do Your Part

Remain Up-to-Date with COVID-19 Vaccination

All individuals who are active on UC Merced controlled property must be in compliance with the UC Policy on Vaccination Programs and the SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19) Vaccination Program. The COVID-19 Vaccination Program requires students and employees to be up-to-date on COVID-19 vaccination or affirmatively decline before physically accessing UC Merced property.

Employees are required to complete a COVID-19 Vaccination Attestation in the WorkHealth Solutions Portal. Individuals who are not up-to-date but interested in receving COVID-19 vaccination can find a local vaccine clinic through the MyTurn website. Once you receive your vaccine, complete the COVID-19 Vaccination Attestation in the WorkHealth Solutions Portal. For more detailed information, visit the Get Vaccinated page.

In addition to COVID-19 vaccination, it is strongly encouraged that all employees and students remain up-to-date with annual flu vaccination. Employees are required to complete the 2023 - 2024 Flu Vaccination Attestation or Declination in the WorkHealth Solutions Portal. Students can upload flu vaccination documentation to the MyHealth Portal.

Student Health Services - Flu Vaccination Information

Surgical Mask Distribution Locations

Campus Surgical Mask Distribution Locations:

Police Department
Valley Terraces Housing Office
Welcome Center
Office of Student Involvement
Dining Center
ECEC (for employees and parents only)
Library
Student Health Center
Bobcat Pantry
Recreation and Wellness Center
Science & Engineering 2

Off-campus Surgical Mask Distribution Locations:

Downtown Campus Center
Castle
Fresno Center

Stay Home When Sick and Submit a Health Screening Questionnaire

If you have tested positive for COVID19, please complete the COVID-19 Positive Form

If you have been exposed to someone who has tested positive for COVID19, regardless of vaccination status, quarantine is not required if you are NOT currently experiencing symptoms.
- If you begin to experience symptoms, follow these instructions.

Healthy Behaviors

Wash Your Hands. Individuals should appropriately wash their hands several times a day, especially after being in a public place and touching an item or surface that was likely touched by others.

Respect Individual Choices

Those who wear face coverings when optional, keep physically distant, and/or refrain from handshakes, etc. are doing what they feel is necessary to protect themselves or loved ones, and will be free from judgement in our Bobcat community.