March 1, 2022

No Change in Covid Masking Guidelines

Colleagues,


While we are still required to wear masks indoors at the Lab, we hope that requirement will soon change. We are following the DOE requirement that our community, Alameda County, remain at the moderate level on the COVID county tracker map for two consecutive weeks; all Bay Area counties currently remain at a high transmission rate.


Current mask requirements:

  • Indoors: Everyone must wear a mask indoors unless alone in an enclosed space with the door shut. Those following Protocol B must also stay six feet away from others indoors.

  • Outdoors: Those following Protocol A can remove their mask outdoors, while those following Protocol B must leave their mask on, OR they can remove their mask and stay at least six feet away from others.

  • Flu vaccination: Following the UCOP requirement, those who have not been vaccinated against the flu must wear their mask indoors no matter their protocol.


You can read more about the required types of masks and more detailed guidelines.


In addition to the COVID county tracker map, the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) has created a map that shows new community guidelines for mask-wearing. This map puts several Bay Area counties, including Alameda, in the low range for community level risk of transmission, based on hospital admissions, use of hospital beds, and the total number of new COVID-19 cases in the area. The new community guideline is not currently factored into mask requirements by the DOE. My office is working with the Berkeley Site Office and the DOE headquarters on mask guidelines. As soon as there is additional information we will share it.


Even when mask requirements are lifted, those who would like to continue to wear masks will be encouraged to do so based on what is appropriate for you or your family. Our experience with masks over the past two years shows they play a significant role in reducing illness.



Michael Brandt

Deputy Lab Director for Operations

Chief Operations Officer