RCCD Ends COVID-19 Booster and Mask Mandates

​Riverside Community College District Board of Trustee rescinded two COVID-19 mandates —  the requirement of a vaccine booster and wearing a mask when accessing facilities. The Board of Trustees voted unanimously to remove the mandates after a short discussion at its semi-monthly meeting last night (March 15). 

“While the trustees have removed these two requirements, RCCD will continue to strongly encourage individuals who are eligible to receive a booster shot to do so. And, masks are still highly recommended to help reduce any chance of an increase in infections," Wolde-Ab Isaac, chancellor of RCCD, said. “In no way do these changes diminish our commitment to the health and safety of our students and employees."

Although, the booster and mask mandates were retracted, the requirement that students and employees receive either the Johnson & Johnson, Moderna or Pfizer vaccine remains in effect. Weekly COVID-19 testing for students at the Ben Clark Training Center and individuals who received a medical or a religious accommodation to the vaccination mandate will also continue. On-campus testing will be available to serve students and employees.

The two changes approved by the Board of Trustees took effect immediately. Isaac announced these changes to the students and employees at Moreno Valley College, Norco College, and Riverside City College on Wednesday morning.

The removal of the booster and mask mandates aligns with policies and recommendations of the US Center for Disease Control and Prevention, the California Division of Occupational Safety and Health, and the Riverside County Department of Public Health. While these agencies recommend booster shots, they no longer require a booster for school attendance. The state also recently lifted the indoor masking requirement. 

Currently, the Riverside County COVID-19 risk level is at medium. In Southern California, Riverside County's daily case rate is 7.0, lower than the three surrounding counties — San Diego County (16.1 per 1000,000), Los Angeles County (12.2), San Bernardino County (9.8).