Earlier this week, the Governor and Secretary of Public Health announced urgent changes to the state's county risk tiers. This was in response to a surge in the number of COVID-19 cases - doubling in the past 10 days to more than 10,000 per day - and 60% increase in hospitalizations across the state. In all, 40 counties have been moved to more restrictive tiers, with 30 counties moving back one tier and 10 counties moving back two tiers. These risk tier assignments affect what businesses may remain open or what activities can occur in the county, which can also affect UC ANR operations and programming.
The current tier ratings include 41 counties in the most restrictive Widespread (purple) tier, 11 counties in the Substantial (red) tier, 4 counties in the Moderate (orange) tier, and 2 counties in the Minimal (yellow) tier. This is obviously a major setback in the state's phased reopening, and will result in many UC ANR locations needing to restrict their in-office work and in-person activities in the community. Since our latest modifications to ANR's safety standards were based on the county risk tiers, we do not need to update our statewide guidance at this time, but with 70% of counties in the purple tier, most locations will need to modify their in-person activities.
For Counties that are in Tier 1 (Purple), indoor meetings, classes, workshops, etc. are prohibited. These activities may be carried on via Zoom or outdoors with groups of 10 or fewer. When a location is in Tier 1, supervisors should restrict in-office work as much as feasible. For example, employees should only come to the office for critical work activities, such as:
- Previously approved research and extension activities (such as research, animal care, agricultural operations, critical maintenance, etc.) that were approved during Stage 1.
- Essential business functions needed to support remote work.
- Situations where an employee cannot perform his/her duties or work effectively remotely.
- Short duration visits to pick up or drop off materials needed for work.
In addition to limiting capacity of in-person work activities, please continue to follow ANR's other basic safety protocols, including health screening, physical distancing, use of face coverings, and hygiene/sanitary practices. As always, some counties may have more restrictive health standards and our locations and programs must follow County health orders when they are more restrictive.
The website https://covid19.ca.gov/safer-economy/ provides an interactive map to find the current status for each county and additional details. ANR locations whose status is unchanged or are in less restrictive tiers should continue to apply the guidance applicable to their county risk tier. However, because the situation is rapidly changing, please maintain awareness of the risk rating for your location and modify activities when necessary.
Additionally, on Thursday, the state Department of Public Health announced a Limited Stay At Home Order or “Curfew.” This order requires people to stay home and not gather with others between the hours of 10pm and 5am. There are exceptions for essential activities and critical infrastructure. During the announcement of this curfew order, it was stated that, “People may go and come from work with no difficulty.” It is understood that some ANR locations may engage in late night or early morning harvest or other agricultural work – these activities are considered critical infrastructure under the category of Food and Agriculture. To alleviate any concerns that employees may have about being out during the curfew hours to come to work, we are providing County and REC Directors with a template letter that can be used to identify UC ANR employees as essential workers under the terms of this Public Health Order.
If you have questions about what work activities are allowed or safety procedures for your work location, please consult with your supervisor or unit Director and refer to the safety plan for your location. You can also review UC ANR's COVID-19 webpage http://ucanr.edu/covid19 and webpage for standards for resuming in-person activity http://ucanr.edu/resume.
Celebration Corner
Six scientists affiliated with UC ANR have received grants from the California Bureau of Cannabis Control: Justin Brashares, Van Butsic, Christy Getz, Ted Grantham, Jennifer Sowerwine, and Daniel Sumner. Learn more about their research projects here. Congratulations to all!
West Side farmer John Diener partnered with West Side REC to grow over 70,000 pounds of butternut squash and donate them to the Central California Food Bank, which provides food to more than 280,000 people each month.
UC ANR hosted its first virtual tour for state legislators and their staff members this morning. UC ANR presenters and guest speakers shared engaging images, videos, information and testimonials about our work. Participants were mailed “learning boxes” with hands-on items to add to the tour experience, from a shot hole borer identification kit to almonds to moringa powder and more. Additional tours are planned for the UC Regents and President Drake in December, and the tour will be made available to all of UC ANR shortly thereafter. Thank you to all the presenters and to Kathy Eftekhari, Anne Megaro and the IGIS and NOS teams for all your hard work on this successful project!
Glenda Humiston
Vice President