COVID-19 Operating Guidelines

La Jolla Institute closely follows public health orders issued by San Diego County and California public health officials to prevent the spread of COVID-19. 

Update October 28, 2021:

Please note that effective immediately, internal and external seminars will be held in person. 

The following guidelines are currently in place:

Face masks

Fully vaccinated individuals are free to choose whether they wear a face mask or not while inside the building including lab meetings and seminars with the exception of outside visitors who are required to wear a face mask at all times while inside the building, regardless of their vaccination status (LJI personnel therefore will not need to be involved in checking visitor vaccination status).

Please note the following exceptions: 

  • Unvaccinated LJI personnel with allowed exemptions are required to wear a face mask indoors unless they are in a private office by themselves or outside with at least 6ft distance.
  • Clinical Core: Clinical Core staff must wear masks when interacting with donors.  LJI employees are considered visitors when entering the core for purposes of donating and must wear masks.
  • Be considerate. Each person’s comfort level with not masking up varies based on their personal circumstances. If you share an office or work in close proximity with another person, please make sure everyone feels comfortable if you prefer to  forgo wearing a  face mask.

OASIS

All LJI employees have to submit a saliva sample to the OASIS screening program at least once a week.  Collections are done on Mondays and Thursdays at 10 am. The OASIS screening program will be continued until January 31, 2022.

Temperature scan

Everyone, including visitors, has to undergo a temperature scan when entering the building regardless of their vaccination status. If your temperature registers above acceptable limits and you are healthy please exit the building to cool down for a few minutes and then reattempt temperature for normal reading.

Visitors

All visitors (contractors, service providers, vendors, speakers, external core users, etc.) have to wear a face mask at all times.

Seminars

Internal and external seminars will be held in person. Non-LJI attendees are required to wear a mask whether they are vaccinated or not. A Zoom option will not be available although seminars will be recorded.

Food

Shared food is allowed regardless of whether it is consumed indoors or outdoors.

Booster Shot

All employees are eligible to go to any vaccine provider for the booster shot.  An employer letter is NOT required.  You do not need to request one from Human Resources.

Vaccine Mandate

The COVID-19 vaccination mandate will be effective Nov 1, 2021 for all employees unless they are exempt for medical or religious reasons. 

Thank you for your continued cooperation as we adjust our guidelines.

Sincerely,
The CPC

Please email covid-19@lji.org if you have any questions or concerns.

FAQ

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While we strongly encourage LJI employees to get vaccinated against COVID-19, it is currently not a requirement in order to work at LJI.

If you are not vaccinated, you have to submit a weekly saliva sample to the OASIS screening program and wear a face mask indoors.  If you fail to submit a saliva sample in a timely manner you will not be allowed into the building until you have submitted your sample to OASIS AND received a negative screening result. 

Yes. Everyone entering the building has to pass the temperature screening. 

If you are vaccinated and have come in close contact with a COVID-19 positive person you can come to work as long as you are symptom-free. Please report any COVID-like symptoms to hr@lji.org. 

If you are not fully vaccinated and have been exposed to a COVID-19 positive individual, you have to quarantine at home for 7 days, starting the day after last exposure (count starts after sick household members tests negative or has been symptom-free for at least 48 hours). Please notify hr@lji.org for further instructions.

If you are feeling sick or unwell, you need to stay home until you are symptom-free. Please contact hr@lji.org if you have any questions.

Fully vaccinated individuals can share food and eat together whether inside or outside. Those not fully vaccinated may eat with colleagues outside but need to physically distance themselves.

Labs and common areas across campus will continue to be cleaned frequently. Private offices are also regularly cleaned. Those who do not want cleaning personnel to enter their office need to notify ops@lji.org.

Visitor Policy

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All visitors are allowed without prior approval by Operations. Fully vaccinated visitors are not required to wear a face mask. Visitors who are not fully vaccinated against COVID-19 have to wear a face mask at all times while at LJI.

Visitors have to provide proof of vaccination to hr@lji.org prior to their arrival. Upon their arrival, they will receive a QR code sticker at the front desk, which will grant them entry without a face mask. Hosts are responsible for ensuring that visitors comply with the LJI visitor policy. 

Return to Work

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We are currently developing a comprehensive return-to-work policy, which will take into account that many LJI employees have worked efficiently from home during the last 15 months.