ANR Update

Novel coronavirus (COVID-19) guidance

The spread of the 2019 Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) continues to grow worldwide. Although the vast majority of cases have been detected in or can be traced to China, the disease is apparently spreading in other countries worldwide, with recent detection of at least one case in northern California that cannot be traced to travel or contact with known infected sources.

The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) reports that the risk to individuals is dependent on exposure and for the general American public, who are unlikely to be exposed to this virus, the immediate health risk is still considered low. CDC does recommend individuals and families follow everyday preventive measures to prepare for potential exposure in the community:

• Voluntary Home Isolation: Stay home when you are sick with respiratory disease symptoms. At the present time, these symptoms are more likely due to influenza or other respiratory viruses than to COVID-19-related virus. Remain at home until fever has been gone for at least 24 hours without the use of fever-reducing medicines.
• Respiratory Etiquette: Cover coughs and sneezes with a tissue, then throw it in the trash can.
• Hand Hygiene: Wash hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds; especially after going to the bathroom; before eating; and after blowing your nose, coughing, or sneezing.
• If soap and water are not readily available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer with 60%-95% alcohol.
• Environmental Health Action: Routinely clean frequently touched surfaces and objects
• Routine use of these measures by individuals and their families will increase community resilience and readiness for responding to an outbreak.
• CDC does not currently recommend the use of facemasks or respirators by the general public to help prevent COVID-19. Facemasks should be used by people who show symptoms of COVID-19 to help prevent the spread of the disease to others. The use of facemasks is also crucial for health workers and people who are taking care of someone in close settings (at home or in a health care facility).

In addition to guidance and monitoring by the CDC and the California Department of Public Health (CDPH), each County's Public Health Officer is monitoring this situation and may have additional guidance specific to your community and the local health risks. Staff at UCCE County offices or Research & Extension Centers should keep aware of potential health concerns in your community by monitoring and following any guidance from your local public health officer. We also encourage ANR locations to share and post educational materials and posters about how to stop the spread of germs and encourage handwashing.

For additional guidance and answers frequently asked questions to assist UC leaders, managers, and supervisors in addressing concerns related to COVID-19, see the Guidance for UC Locations Concerning COVID-19.

Updated Travel Guidance:

• UC President Napolitano has directed the UC community (academics, staff, etc.) to temporarily avoid all non-essential, University-related travel to any countries that are designated with a CDC Warning – Level 3 Travel Notice. At the time of this update, this includes China and South Korea. Consistent with UC guidance, “essential travel” is defined as that which is required to: 1) preserve the safety of a research subject and which cannot be postponed; or 2) preserve the results of a research activity and which cannot be postponed. Travel to academic or professional conferences, training, meetings, or similar activities is considered to be non-essential. ANR personnel who believe their University-related travel to a restricted destination is essential should contact Brian Oatman at Risk & Safety Services to request a review and exception to this directive.
• Currently, CDC has issued an Alert - Level 2 Travel Notice for Iran, Italy, and Japan, advising that travelers should practice enhanced precautions when traveling to those countries. Check the CDC website for up-to-date information on current travel notices concerning COVID-19.
• When planning work-related travel to international destinations, always register your trip with UCAway, in order to access features such as travel insurance, briefings on health, safety, and security, and real-time alerts.
• You can also check the CDC's Traveler's Health Notices and State Department Travel Advisories for the latest guidance and recommendations for each country to which you will travel.
• If you become sick while traveling, notify your supervisor and promptly call your healthcare provider for advice if needed. If you are traveling outside the United States, use the University-provided travel insurance for obtaining medical care. See our travel safety webpage for more information.

UC ANR Risk & Safety Services is communicating with health & safety and emergency management professionals across the UC system and will continue to provide updates as necessary. You can check our websites for Health Alerts and Travel Alerts for the latest information. Please contact Brian Oatman (baoatman@ucanr.edu) if you have questions or need other specific guidance concerning this situation.

Comments invited for UC travel regulations

The University of California invites employee comments on a proposed revision to Presidential Policy Business and Finance Bulletin G-28: Travel Regulations.  The proposed policy revision includes the following key issues: 

• Incorporate Internal Audit Recommendation to include requirement for documentation to support business or first class travel.
• Incorporate Internal Audit Recommendation to include the need to document the business purpose of each day of travel.
• Addition of a new section within policy that addresses sustainable travel recommendations.
• Gender-neutral language

The proposed policy is posted at https://ucanr.edu/sites/anrstaff/Administration/Business_Operations/Controller/Administrative_Policies_-_Business_Contracts/Policy_and_administrative_handbooks/ANR_Administrative_Handbook/Recent_Updates/

If you have any questions or if you wish to comment, please contact Robin Sanchez at rgsanchez@ucanr.edu, no later than May 16, 2020. Please indicate “G-28 Travel Regulations” in the subject line.

Employee comments invited for Gender Recognition and Lived Name policy

The University of California invites comments on a proposed Presidential Policy: Gender Recognition and Lived Name. It is proposed that the policy be fully implemented by UC campuses and locations by July 1, 2021, and it includes the following key issues: 

• The University must provide three equally recognized gender options on university-issued documents and information systems — female, male and nonbinary.
• The University must provide an efficient process for students and employees to retroactively amend their gender designations and lived names on university-issued documents and in information systems.

The legal name of university students, employees, alumni and affiliates, if different than the individual's lived name, must be kept confidential and must not be published on documents or displayed in information systems that do not require a person's legal name. 

The proposed policy is posted here: https://ucanr.edu/sites/anrstaff/Administration/Business_Operations/Controller/Administrative_Policies_-_Business_Contracts/Policy_and_administrative_handbooks/ANR_Administrative_Handbook/Recent_Updates/

If you have any questions or if you wish to comment, please contact Robin Sanchez at rgsanchez@ucanr.edu, no later than May 15, 2020. Please indicate “Gender Recognition and Lived Name” in the subject line.

Recruitment for Clif Bar Endowed Presidential Director for California Organic Institute underway

Applications are being accepted through March 30, 2020, from individuals who wish to be considered for the Directorship for the UC ANR California Organic Institute. This opportunity will provide a dedicated source of funds (income from the endowment) to support scholarly activities and outreach focused on improvement of California organic agriculture production.

Through a funding partnership between the Clif Bar & Company and the UC Presidential Endowment program, UC Agriculture and Natural Resources has established a $1 million Directorship for the UC ANR California Organic Institute.

The Directorship will be awarded by UC ANR to a distinguished UC Cooperative Extension specialist or advisor currently working in the area of organic production in California.

Through a competitive selection process, a Director will be selected to hold an initial seven-year term.

Application and selection details, including timeline and submission guidelines, are available at http://ucanr.edu/sites/StrategicInitiatives/files/318017.pdf.

For any questions, please contact Mark Bell, Vice Provost Strategic Initiatives & Statewide Programs, at mozbell@ucanr.edu.

We look forward to this exciting new addition to our portfolio.

Wendy Powers
Associate Vice President

Travel to China restricted as novel coronavirus precaution

As follow-up to the ANR Update post on Novel coronavirus precautions, I am providing some additional guidance concerning travel to China.

In response to the outbreak of novel coronavirus (2019-nCoV), the U.S. State Department has issued a Level 4: Do Not Travel advisory for all areas of mainland China. Additionally, UC President Napolitano has directed the UC community to temporarily avoid all non-essential travel to China. For ANR personnel and affiliates, this means that all business-related travel to destinations in China must be suspended until further notice or approval. In collaboration with ANR leadership and UC systemwide colleagues, we are developing a process to review any requests for essential travel and will provide more information soon.

President Napolitano also stressed the importance that all international travel on behalf of UC business be registered with UCAway. This trip registration provides travelers with access to features such as travel insurance, briefings on health, safety, and security, and real-time alerts. To make use of these services, be sure to register your trip and provide itineraries and contact details. Visit http://safety.ucanr.edu/Programs/Business_Travel/ to register your trip and find additional travel safety information for ANR travelers.

You can also stay up-to-date with US State Department advisories and CDC's travel health notices related to this outbreak. 

If you have questions, feel free to contact me at baoatman@ucanr.edu.

Brian Oatman
Director, Risk & Safety Services

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