Vaccine Availability, Social Distancing and Other Reminders
01.13.21
LMU hopes you and your families are healthy and safe, had a restful winter holiday break, and a positive start to the New Year. The university continues to monitor the spread of coronavirus (COVID-19) and is working diligently to safeguard the safety and well-being of our community.
Please continue to check LMU.edu/Together (Accessible; En Español) for the latest information. The site includes updated Campus Safety Protocols, LMU’s interactive COVID dashboard, FAQs, a need-to-know A-Z index, and more.
What's New
Questions About COVID-19 Vaccine Availability
On Jan. 13, Governor Gavin Newsom announced that California residents aged 65 and older are now eligible to receive the COVID-19 vaccination (further updates will be shared as information is released).
Currently, L.A. County is in Phase 1A of COVID vaccinations, which includes a defined list of healthcare workers who have the potential for direct or indirect exposure to patients or infectious materials. LMU healthcare workers are included in Phase 1A, and have already begun the vaccination process.
L.A. County currently projects that the first dose of vaccine to Phase 1B individuals will be available from early February through the end of March. This is a fluid and dynamic situation and the timeline may change.
Individuals who work in the education sector who are at risk of exposure are included in Phase 1B. L.A. County and state officials are in the process of defining and potentially prioritizing who may be included under the “education sector” umbrella. LMU is actively engaged in conversations with L.A. County and state officials to advocate for our faculty and staff who are in contact with others regularly and therefore have an increased risk of exposure. An update will be provided as soon as additional information is available.
Additional information about Phases 1A, 1B, 1C and 2 (general public) can be found here. Please speak with your health care provider to identify when the vaccine may be available to you.
Additional resources are below:
On Jan. 13, Governor Gavin Newsom announced that California residents aged 65 and older are now eligible to receive the COVID-19 vaccination (further updates will be shared as information is released).
Currently, L.A. County is in Phase 1A of COVID vaccinations, which includes a defined list of healthcare workers who have the potential for direct or indirect exposure to patients or infectious materials. LMU healthcare workers are included in Phase 1A, and have already begun the vaccination process.
L.A. County currently projects that the first dose of vaccine to Phase 1B individuals will be available from early February through the end of March. This is a fluid and dynamic situation and the timeline may change.
Individuals who work in the education sector who are at risk of exposure are included in Phase 1B. L.A. County and state officials are in the process of defining and potentially prioritizing who may be included under the “education sector” umbrella. LMU is actively engaged in conversations with L.A. County and state officials to advocate for our faculty and staff who are in contact with others regularly and therefore have an increased risk of exposure. An update will be provided as soon as additional information is available.
Additional information about Phases 1A, 1B, 1C and 2 (general public) can be found here. Please speak with your health care provider to identify when the vaccine may be available to you.
Additional resources are below:
- Los Angeles County Department of Public Health: COVID Vaccine – includes the ability to sign up for a vaccine newsletter
- City of Los Angeles COVID-19: Keeping Los Angeles Safe – resources for students and education
New L.A. County Public Health Social Distancing Protocols
The L.A. County Department of Public Health recently updated and released new protocols for Institutes of Higher Education and worksites, which are posted here. Important reminders:
The L.A. County Department of Public Health recently updated and released new protocols for Institutes of Higher Education and worksites, which are posted here. Important reminders:
- Wear face coverings at all times (even when alone in a shared or common space, outside, or in a cubicle).
- Always maintain a 6-foot distance from others especially while eating or drinking.
- Eating or drinking should be done during designated breaks only and outside if possible.
- To ensure our buildings do not exceed COVID capacity, you may only enter buildings on campus if you have a pre-approved activity or official university business in that building.
Reminder – Mandatory COVID Testing
LMU continues to operate our on-campus COVID testing center, providing about 300 PCR COVID tests per day to those with campus access. The following groups are required to get tested either once or twice per week as notified:
LMU continues to operate our on-campus COVID testing center, providing about 300 PCR COVID tests per day to those with campus access. The following groups are required to get tested either once or twice per week as notified:
- All students who have campus access
- Faculty who are teaching in-person or hybrid courses
- Select staff and contractors have been identified by their unit leaders given the nature of their work on campus.
You can find additional details on LMU’s Crimson, Blue and Grey Testing groups here. Note: If you are a faculty member with approved campus access but you are not teaching in-person or hybrid courses, you are not required to get tested unless otherwise notified by Human Resources or LMU COVID Testing.
If you have been notified that you are required to get tested and have a medical condition that you feel should exempt you from this requirement, students should email Disability Support Services and faculty/staff should contact Rebecca Chandler, vice president of Human Resources. Individuals requesting testing exemptions cannot access campus until the exemption is approved. Exemptions are only made in rare circumstances, and often take two weeks to approve. Individuals awaiting the outcome of their exemption request must make other arrangements during this time, before they can access campus.
Please review the COVID Testing website for additional information. If you are unsure if you require COVID Testing or you are unsure of your COVID Testing group, please contact COVIDTesting@lmu.edu.
If you have been notified that you are required to get tested and have a medical condition that you feel should exempt you from this requirement, students should email Disability Support Services and faculty/staff should contact Rebecca Chandler, vice president of Human Resources. Individuals requesting testing exemptions cannot access campus until the exemption is approved. Exemptions are only made in rare circumstances, and often take two weeks to approve. Individuals awaiting the outcome of their exemption request must make other arrangements during this time, before they can access campus.
Please review the COVID Testing website for additional information. If you are unsure if you require COVID Testing or you are unsure of your COVID Testing group, please contact COVIDTesting@lmu.edu.
Sick or Exposed to a COVID case, contact the LMU COVID Support Team
If you are experiencing any COVID symptoms or have been exposed to someone who has COVID, do not schedule an appointment or come to the COVID Testing Center. Immediately begin self-isolating or self-quarantining, and call or email the LMU COVID Support Team. COVID Support can be reached 7 days a week, including holidays, at 310.568.6868 or COVIDSupportTeam@lmu.edu
If you are experiencing any COVID symptoms or have been exposed to someone who has COVID, do not schedule an appointment or come to the COVID Testing Center. Immediately begin self-isolating or self-quarantining, and call or email the LMU COVID Support Team. COVID Support can be reached 7 days a week, including holidays, at 310.568.6868 or COVIDSupportTeam@lmu.edu