By: Leonardo Cervantes
There seems to be a common misconception amongst some people now that COVID-19 is slowing down or is under control but that couldn’t be farther from the truth. Covid-19 is running rampant and is as dangerous as it ever was before.
Serious precautions must be taken before students are able to step foot at East Los Angeles College again. As of September 11, 2021, California has 4.5 million reported cases, 66,422 deaths and at least 66.1% of California residents have been vaccinated via The California Department of Public Health.
Vaccination and testing requirements are simple, but are mandatory for every student.
“As a condition to physically access any District building, classroom, library, gymnasium, facility, or other indoor settings, all district students shall present proof that they have been fully vaccinated against the Covid-19 virus unless exempt for medical or religious reasons,” said the District’ Board of trustees.
All students and staff that are granted a medical or religious exemption shall undergo regular testing for COVID-19 and shall produce proof of negative COVID-19 test results. These precautions will ensure that the campus remains as safe as possible for all students and staff.
The Board policy is simple enough to follow and all district students who plan to be at any LACCD or district facility must follow every rule. Full-time and part-time students that are enrolled in classes on campus as well as students who may be taking classes remotely, but who plan to be onsite for appointments or meetings or to use libraries, gyms or computer/science labs must follow the board policy.
“It’s simple if for any reason you need to be on campus you must be vaccinated unless you have been exempt. However, all students that are granted an exemption must still be tested weekly by the district’s official testing vendor,” said the District’s Board of Trustees.
If any student fails to meet the requirements to comply with the vaccination or testing requirements they may be excluded from in-person classes, disciplined or expelled.
By October 8, 2021, all students who plan to be onsite at any college or district facility must create a profile account with the district’s official testing vendor, Biocept.
Students can get a free COVID-19 test with the vendor, and only vendor-approved tests will be accepted by the district. By October 18, 2021, students who plan to be onsite at any college or district facility must upload their vaccination information. If students have a medical or religious exemption request approved by the district they must allow at least two days for processing.
You must create a Biocept account and schedule an appointment to complete the COVID-19 test, the sooner the better. Any student regardless of vaccination status can get tested weekly through Biocept just to ensure safety.
No matter what, all students must wear face masks at all times. The district’s board of trustees said, “Until further notice, in accordance with Board policy 2800 and regardless of vaccination stats, all employees, students and visitors must correctly wear a mask or facial covering over their nose and mouth when indoors at ELAC or district building. If you do not have a mask one will be provided to you.”
Students will receive a color-coded “Clear pass” showing their approval to be on campus or district facilities once they have completed the first baseline test, uploaded the required documents, completed the new self-check questionnaire and have done a weekly test if they have an approved exemption.
The clear pass will be sent to your phone or smart device for display similar to a boarding pass for a flight or electronic ticket. The pass will show that you have completed all of the required steps to be able to step foot on campus.
All students may be required to show their clear pass to authorized personnel or at scanning stations prior to entering district property or buildings.