Coronavirus Resources District information pertaining to Coronavirus (COVID-19)

Masks Highly Recommended Eff. 03-21-22

Mar 17, 2022

Good morning,  

I am writing today with an update regarding our mask policies. I am happy to report that the number of COVID-19 cases and hospitalizations have shown a steep decline since my March 7, 2022 message entitled Facial Covering Update.  In our recent meetings with local health officials, we confirmed that Fresno and Madera Counties have maintained lower transmission numbers for two weeks.  Therefore, beginning Monday, March 21, 2022, we will remove the facial covering “requirement” for both vaccinated and unvaccinated individuals and move toward “highly recommend” for wearing a facial covering by all individuals in indoor settings.  The only exception is in those areas where healthcare services are being provided. We will continue to require masks in our healthcare service areas in an effort to continue to mitigate the spread of COVID-19.   

It is understandable that some individuals may have health concerns about removing their facial covering, the District supports every individuals’ choice to wear or not wear a facial covering. As a community, we must continue to respect and honor the choices of all individuals who feel more comfortable wearing a mask, who may be immunocompromised, or who are taking additional steps to protect their families or others.      

High-quality and good-fitting facemasks such as N-95 or KN-95 masks continue to offer good protection for the wearer and therefore their use is still highly recommended in public settings. Additionally, the colleges, centers, and district office of State Center Community College District will continue to provide masks to those who want masks. Furthermore, tests will remain available to all students and employees, regardless of vaccine status,  and we encourage the use of face coverings in densely populated areas. More information about facemasks can be found on the California Department of Public Health COVID-19 website.

The Board’s vaccine mandate is still in full effect.  Those individuals with health and religious exemptions will still be required to test twice per week.  In addition, as we make this transition, we will continue the staggered schedules in areas that were previously approved.  Please work with your administrator if you are currently on a staggered schedule and have questions.   

Thank you for your continued adherence to the SCCCD COVID-19 mitigation efforts it has helped us get to this next phase of our COVID response.  Please stay healthy so that we do not need to revert back to requiring facial coverings, and also, I ask for your understanding that we will continue to adjust our mitigation strategies in coordination with our public health partners as regional conditions evolve. I appreciate our community’s participation in helping to successfully navigate these challenges. We all should be very proud of our collective efforts to keep ourselves and each other safe during this pandemic.

Sincerely,

Dr. Carole Goldsmith

Chancellor