SJSU Response to New Santa Clara County Health Order

Sent: July 8, 2020
From: President Mary A. Papazian

SJSU campus community,

Last week, Santa Clara County announced a new health order that replaces the current Shelter-in-Place order which has been in place since March 31. This new health order was approved yesterday and will take effect Monday, July 13. SJSU continues to comply with the guidelines and recommendations from the Santa Clara County Public Health Department, the California Department of Public Health and the California State University system. 

Among the details in the new health order [pdf] are updated physical distancing protocols, capacity limitations and positive COVID-19 case reporting. Mandatory directives from the new health order for areas like gyms and recreation centers, gatherings and pools will be shared by the county in the coming days. 

SJSU is finalizing its plan for the fall 2020 semester and will make adjustments to the plan as needed based on the new health order. We will release the plan soon, and will inform the campus community in an email message.  

I know many of you are anxiously awaiting information regarding employee return to campus. While we continue to finalize the plan, please avoid coming to campus unless your presence on campus has been deemed essential. If your presence has not been deemed essential, but you need to come to campus, you must obtain approval from your dean or supervisor.

As the number of COVID-19 cases continues to surge across the country, we understand that campus community members may contract COVID-19 while they are in their own respective stay-at-home setting, participating in remote learning, or working away from campus. As a reminder, SJSU has a confidential portal where you can file a report online if you have tested positive for COVID-19 and have been on campus. The information provided will only be shared with the necessary campus officials, and the university will continue to directly contact any campus community members that might have been exposed to COVID-19. 

I invite you to continue to visit the SJSU Health Advisories website for current information, advisories, FAQs, and resources.