COVID-19 Resources

Return-to-Work Guidelines
UCSF has recently revised its guidelines for returning to work.
Read the guidelines
Masking on Campus and in  Health Facilities
Effective April 3, wearing masks is now optional except in areas where patients are present.
Learn More
COVID-19 Data Dashboard
Get the latest information about COVID-19 cases and testing at UCSF.
See the Dashboard

digital Screener

Get Vaccinated

Get Tested

Latest Updates

May 31, 2023

Editor’s note: This website is being completely revised to reflect changing policies. Please refer to the information below for the most current policies.

COVID-19 Policy Changes as of April 3, 2023

With the number of cases of COVID-19 decreasing across campus and in the community, UCSF is easing several COVID-19 policies in alignment with current public health orders. These changes – which took effect on April 3, 2023 – apply to all campus and UCSF Health personnel, regardless of location, including UCSF Benioff Children’s Hospital (BCH) Oakland and the campus in Fresno.

In a message to the UCSF community, Chief Clinical Officer Josh Adler said, "We have come a long way since we first took steps to guard against coronavirus transmission in March 2020. These changes to UCSF’s policies reflect the progress we have made collectively over the past three years that has led to decreasing the total number of COVID-19 cases and a significant decrease in the severity of cases on campus and in our communities."

The changes described below were discussed at the UCSF monthly town hall on Friday, April 7.

Please note that faculty, staff and learners entering UCSF facilities are still required to follow UCSF’s safety rules to prevent transmission of COVID-19:

  • If you have COVID-related symptoms, get a COVID test and stay home.
  • If you have had exposure to COVID-19, use the Digital Screener for guidance on testing if you will be working/learning on-site.
  • If you have had a recent COVID infection, use the Digital Screener and follow directions that include waiting for 10 days or returning after 5 days with a negative antigen test.

Please take note of the following changes to UCSF’s COVID-19 policies:

UCSF Town Halls

coronavirusHear the latest news and views at our monthly forums held the first Fridays, from 4 to 5 p.m.


Transcripts available in Spanish and Chinese.

Mark Your Calendar

Watch Past Town Halls

See Town Hall Schedule 

Screening

  • Effective April 3, daily screening with the Digital Screener is no longer required.
  • The Digital Screener will continue to be required for Occupational Health Services' (OHS) clearance due to known high-risk exposure or COVID-19 reporting.
  • The Digital Screener will still be available to provide employees and learners with OHS return-to-work/campus instructions for COVID symptoms, exposures and infections.
  • The Digital Screener is recommended for events with more than 100 people.

Masking

  • Effective April 3, masking on campus shuttles, shuttle stops, break spaces and elevators is no longer required but recommended.
  • Masking is still required for all employees, learners and vendors in areas where patients are present, including elevators and lobbies.
  • Patients and visitors are no longer required but strongly recommended to wear masks in health care areas.
  • Masking requirements in classroom meetings for credit-bearing courses that are part of the curriculum is at the dean’s discretion.
  • Masks are available at security stations and on campus shuttles.

 

Testing

  • Testing at the Laurel Heights site ended on March 31.
  • Effective April 3, Color testing will no longer be available.
  • Testing will continue to be offered in UCSF Health clinics and at many locations in the community.
  • If you need testing guidance for COVID symptoms, exposure or return to work or school following COVID infection, visit the Digital Screener webpage or call the COVID Hotline at (415) 514-7328 for information.
  • If you have any issues obtaining rapid antigen tests for return to work or school, check with OHS or Student Health and Counseling Services.
  • BCH Oakland employees should check with Employee Health: x3620 or send an email to [email protected]

Meetings and Events

For all events

  • Multi-day events are currently allowed.
  • Based on the latest CDC and CDPH protocols, proof of COVID vaccination status is not required.
  • UCSF-sponsored events at both on-site and off-site locations are expected to adhere to the UCSF event guidance below. 
  • Non-sponsored UCSF events that are held off site are expected to adhere to local jurisdictions' public health orders.

Events with fewer than 100 people

  • Masking indoors: optional
  • Digital Screener: recommended
  • Food and beverage outdoors: recommended
  • Food and beverage allowed indoors with social distancing: recommended

Events with 100 people or more

Requires Recovery Operations Center (ROC) approval by submitting the online ROC Meetings and Events Request Form.

  • Masking indoors: optional
  • Digital Screener: recommended
  • Food and beverage outdoors recommended with social distancing.
  • Food and beverage allowed indoors with:
    • 50% capacity recommended
    • Social distancing recommended

Vaccination

Current policies remain in place for UCSF faculty, staff, learners, and patients and visitors, including BCH Oakland.

  • UCSF employees (and new hires) can obtain a COVID-19 vaccine at OHS at Mount Zion at 2330 Post Street, Suite 460, San Francisco. Information on additional locations and hours of operation is posted on the OHS website. Appointments are strongly recommended and can be made through MyChart. 
  • UCSF Fresno Mobile HeaL COVID-19 Equity Project drive-through location in Fresno is closed. Testing, vaccines and treatments will continue to be available on a mobile basis. For more information, visit https://www.fresno.ucsf.edu/mobileheal/, call or text (559) 349-8082, or  send an email to  [email protected].