Berkeley prepares to resume in-person instruction next week

UC Berkeley leaders provide a checklist for students, staff and faculty to use in returning to campus Jan. 31

students throung through Sther Gate at UC Berkeley as in-person classes resume — Despite the continued pandemic, Berkeley saw a record number of student applicants with over 128,100 students applying for acceptance to the fall 2022 freshman class. (Credit: Keegan Houser/UC Berkeley)

January 25, 2022

Chancellor Carol Christ and Executive Vice Chancellor and Provost Cathy Koshland sent the following message to the campus community Tuesday:

We’re looking forward to resuming in-person instruction on Monday, Jan. 31. We’re hopeful that the worst of the omicron surge is behind us but have plans in place should we see high numbers of students, staff and faculty unable to come to campus for COVID-19 related reasons.

In preparation for resuming in-person instruction on a wider scale, we’d like to share a few reminders:

Get boosted: You’re required to get the booster as soon as you’re eligible. If you’re not able to find an appointment in the community, University Health Services is hosting several booster clinics and appointments are available via eTang. If you already got the booster, be sure to update your record in eTang.
Get tested: Students should follow the spring testing recommendations and all students, staff and faculty need to get tested when required. In addition to the free testing that is available on campus, you can order four free at-home COVID-19 tests through the federal government and health insurers (including SHIP) are required to cover at-home tests as well.
Wear a face covering: Face coverings continue to be required indoors. Employees are required to wear an N95, KN95, KF94 or surgical mask. Students are encouraged to wear these types of coverings as well but are allowed to wear cloth face masks with tight ear straps that completely cover the mouth and nose. Face coverings are available for free for employees and students.

Stay home when you’re sick: Please stay home if you are experiencing any signs of illness. Instructors are asked to be as accommodating as possible to allow students to stay home when needed.

Stay up to date: As always, please be sure to read the Response & Recovery newsletter and visit the coronavirus website for the latest updates.

We recognize that some of you are nervous about coming back to campus. Others of you are frustrated that you’re not already in the classroom. This pandemic has presented a series of impossible challenges with often unsatisfying answers.

We continue to let science and public health expertise guide our decision-making. We ask that you continue to extend grace to one another as we navigate these next few weeks together and hope that you can join us in finding excitement in being back together again.