Quarantine requirements have changed.

Students who have had close contact exposure:

• Do not need to Quarantine, regardless of vaccination status.
• Do not need to complete the online COVID report form.
• Can continue attending classes on campus as long as they remain asymptomatic.
• Are encouraged to test for COVID within 3-5 days of exposure.
• Are encouraged to wear a mask while indoors on campus for 10 days after exposure.
• Must stay home and complete the online COVID Reporting form if they develop any symptoms and/or if they test positive for COVID.

Isolation requirements have not changed.

Students with symptoms of COVID and/or who have tested positive for COVID:

• Must stay home and complete the online COVID report form - See the COVID-19 Reporting link below for more information.
• Must self-isolate and cannot return to campus until they are cleared by the college nurse.
• Can return to campus after five days of isolation IF their symptoms have resolved and IF they test negative for COVID on day five or later (a formal test report is required).
• Will be cleared to return to campus after day ten of isolation IF their symptoms have resolved. No testing is needed.

Dear State Center Community,

For two-and-a-half years now, we have weathered the COVID pandemic together.  It hasn’t always been easy, but we have been flexible, adapted to the changes, and embraced the necessary measures we’ve taken as a District to keep our students and employees healthy and safe.  Thank you!

As I mentioned in my message to you last month, as conditions evolve, we will continue to adjust our protocols, guidelines, and resources as needed.  Recently, the California Department of Public Health (CDPH) announced that it is ending the COVID-19 policies that required weekly COVID-19 testing for unvaccinated and under-vaccinated workers in high-risk workplaces and K-12 schools. 

Therefore, beginning Monday, October 3, 2022, I am suspending the State Center Community College District Vaccine Policy.  Thus, SCCCD will suspend the testing requirement for unvaccinated employees and students.

The CDPH encouraged sites to "maintain testing capacity at their worksite and have the ability to ramp up testing at their worksite, in the event of outbreaks or if it is required again at a future date.”  To that end, State Center will continue to offer free testing to anyone.  In fact, we are introducing a new solution by which we will continue to provide free COVID testing to students and employees on each of our college campuses and at the district office; new Shield T3 PCR Test Kit Vending Machines. These vending machines are now located on each campus and will be ready for use on October 10. 

The free COVID Testing Centers and drive-through testing for students and employees will come to a close on October 7. Testing will only be available through the vending machines.

On October 10, all employees and students who wish to make use of the free onsite testing option may visit one of the vending machines, which are located on each college campus and the district office at:

• Fresno City College – Cafeteria/Student Activities entrance
• Clovis Community College – Academic Center 1/Main entrance
• Reedley College – Student Center/Main entrance
• Madera Community College – Administration Building/SE entrance
• Oakhurst CC Center – Room OC6
• District Office – 6^th Floor/Outside Environmental Health & Safety Office

At each vending machine location, you will find instructions on how to use the machine, receive and register your test, and submit your test. Your test kit must be registered to receive your results. You will need a smart phone or mobile device to scan the QR code and log into your PNC account to use the vending machine. Please be sure to watch this video for more detailed instructions. Here are additional Vending Machine Instructions.

Very important:  Tests can only be submitted between the hours of 8:00 am to 5:00 pm Monday – Wednesday, and 8:00 am to noon on Thursday. This ensures that the samples reach the laboratory for analysis within 56 hours of sample collection.

Test results will still be available the same way as they are now through the Point and Click (PNC) system.  Remember, you cannot eat or drink anything, smoke, floss, use mouthwash, brush your teeth, or chew gum within 60 minutes prior to taking the test. Those who are symptomatic are encouraged to test elsewhere and not come on site.

We appreciate your help as we continue to keep our campuses healthy and safe. We hope this new system will make the testing process more convenient for you.  According to the CDPH, “At present, 80% of Californians 12 years of age and older have completed their primary series of COVID-19 vaccines, and 48% have received their first booster dose" allowing Californians to return to a more normalized lifestyle.

We will continue to be vigilant and work with public health officials. We will stand ready to pause or reinstate a higher level of protective mitigation recommendations or requirements, if necessary, as health conditions evolve. 

Again, thank you all for your patience, collaboration, and diligence.  I am proud of the work we have done together to protect the health of each other, our families, and our students.

Sincerely,

Dr. Carole Goldsmith
Chancellor

Updated September 29, 2022

These procedures have been revised to align with recently updated guidance from the California Department of Public Health and Cal-OSHA.

• Student COVID Reporting and Return Procedures
• Student COVID Positive Testing Submission Form
• COVID Testing available on Campus