COVID In-person Update

Basic Safety Standards for Meeting In-person

Effective March 12, 2022
These safety standards must be followed for all in-person 4-H activities.
These protocols apply to all 4-H events that 4-H has responsibility, management, and control of.
Host locations may have additional requirements.

Download PDF of Basic Safety Standards

Symptom Screening

Do not participate in any in-person 4-H activities if you are sick or have COVID-19 symptoms or if you or someone you have been in contact with has been diagnosed with COVID-19.

Symptoms include:

• Fever or chills
• Cough
• Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing
• Fatigue
• Muscle or body aches
• Headache
• New loss of taste or smell
• Sore throat, Congestion or runny nose
• Nausea or vomiting
• Diarrhea

Protocols for Indoor and Outdoor Activities

• Masks are not required, regardless of vaccination status. In compliance with CDPH guidelines, masks are recommended for indoor settings, but are not required.
• Social distancing is no longer required (indoors or outdoors).
• Post the Symptom Survey sign at the location to remind persons of COVID-19 symptoms and to stay home if they are sick, have symptoms, or have been exposed.
• When possible, maintain an attendance log. This can be used to inform attendees if there is a positive COVID case.
• Make hand sanitizer available. Clean facilities before and after 4-H activities.
• Maximum number of participants at outdoor gatherings sponsored/hosted by UC 4-H must be under 10,000 people outdoors and 1,000 people indoors. For events with more than 10,000 participants outdoors or 1,000 indoors, please follow the state guidelines for mega-events

Local public health orders or facilities may have stricter safety protocols. 4-H participants must follow local or facility safety protocols if they are stricter than these Basic Safety Guidelines. 

To find out if your County has a specific mask order or other public health guidance that is different from the state, review your local public health COVID website.

Protocols for Food Service

• Food service is no longer limited to single use items or packaged meals.
• When meals are prepared and served, at least one 4-H volunteer or 4-H professional serving food at the event must complete the ServSafe training. This does not apply to snacks or pre-packaged food items served at 4-H meetings or activities.
• The ServSafe certified 4-H volunteer or 4-H professional can train additional food servers using the Clover Safe Note: Food Safety at 4-H Meetings

Protocols for Overnight 4-H Activities

In addition to the protocols listed in this Basic Safety Standards, please see the Overnight 4-H Event Safety Protocols for details on sleeping, activities, and bathroom accommodations.

Mask Exceptions and Exemptions

When masks are required for 4-H activities, 4-H members, volunteers and professionals who have an illness or condition that limits their ability to wear a face mask may request an accommodation or alternate masking options (i.e., face shield with drape). They can also request to participate remotely.

• 4-H Members and Volunteers: Please contact your local County 4-H professional.
• 4-H Professionals: Please contact Dave Ritz at daritz@ucanr.edu or 916-230-4374.

COVID Testing

Proof of a negative COVID test is required for the following 4-H sponsored events:

• Statewide Events
• In-State Overnight Events
• Out-of-State Travel

In addition to these events, a host location may require proof of a negative COVID test. Please use the following protocols for confirming a negative COVID test.

Protocols for confirming proof of a negative COVID test

Maintaining individual privacy and confidentiality is a primary concern.

1. Test must be collected within 48 hours prior to the event.
2. Home tests, with name and date documented, are acceptable.
3. A photo or electronic copy of test results is acceptable proof.
4. Test results will be observed and verified by a pre-determined 4-H staff member or adult volunteer.
5. Copies of test results will not be collected or retained by 4-H.
6. Test results will be verified at entry to the event.
7. The record will reflect that test results were viewed and confirmed for each individual. Records will not be retained by 4-H.
8. Persons with Positive or Inconclusive test results are not allowed to attend 4-H events.

COVID Vaccination Status

UC 4-H is not requiring proof of vaccination for the events we host, manage and control.

If a host location requires proof of vaccination, the following protocols must be followed.

Protocols for Confirming COVID Vaccination Status

1. Vaccination documentation will be a required upload as part of the on-line registration process.
2. Vaccination status will be kept confidential. Access to information will be limited to Nurse/Health Supervisor, Location/Camp Director, and necessary UC ANR staff
3. Once vaccination information is reviewed and documented, all uploaded vaccination information will be eliminated from the registration files for the event.

Additional information can be found at Risk-Based Guidance for Requiring COVID-19 Vaccination or Negative Test for UC ANR Events/Activities

Updated February 16, 2022

Overnight California 4-H Events

Overnight 4-H Events must follow the Basic Safety Standards and the Overnight 4-H Event Safety Protocols.

All in-state overnight 4-H sponsored events require participants to submit proof of a negative COVID test following the protocols outlined in the Basic Safety Standards.

Out of State Travel

All 4-H Members, Volunteers and Professionals expected to follow the Basic Safety Standards as well as any event-specific requirements.

PRIOR to making travel arrangements: The 4-H professional and/or adult chaperon/leader/coach must register their trip and provide appropriate documentation on the Trip Registration Survey.

1. The State 4-H Director and Director of Risk and Safety Services will review the survey data and work with the local 4-H professional to make appropriate determinations for participation.

All 4-H sponsored out of state travel requires submitting a negative COVID test result following the protocols outlined in the Basic Safety Guidelines.

Vaccination Policy for UC 4-H

Proof of vaccination is not required for 4-H youth or adult volunteers to join or participate in 4-H.

Host locations for 4-H sponsored activities may require proof of vaccination. Please follow the protocols outlined in the Basic Safety Standards.

Effective September 1, 2021, all UC employees must be vaccinated against the COVID-19 virus. Only employees who are fully vaccinated are approved to work in UC ANR offices.*

*The UC COVID-19 Vaccination Policy allows for limited exceptions to COVID-19 vaccination based on a Medical Exemption, Disability Accommodation, or Religious Objection.

Frequently Asked Questions about vaccination

Are 4-H Adult Volunteers required to be vaccinated to go to the UCCE office or UC ANR buildings?

No, the UC COVID-19 Vaccination Policy does not apply to all UC ANR volunteers. You may stop in your local UCCE office for short in-office tasks such as making copies, picking up displays or attending meetings—as long as you follow the location's In-person Visitor Procedures. Most UCCE offices are located in buildings that are owned and operated by the County, so additional County requirements for accessing buildings may apply.

The vaccination requirement only applies if you are scheduled to be in a UC ANR or UCCE office or building for a scheduled shift for administrative work like an employee. This includes hotline/helpline coverage and in-office work performed by a 4-H Online Volunteer Enrollment Coordinator 2. Only vaccinated volunteers will be approved to work shifts at a UC ANR building.

Can I still volunteer to work in the office if I have a vaccine exception?

No. If your volunteer assignment is in an administrative role similar to an employee, then you must be vaccinated to work scheduled shifts onsite in a UC ANR office or building. UC ANR will not be considering exceptions in these instances.

In-person Visitors to UC ANR and UCCE offices

Visitors entering a UC ANR building or UCCE office must:

1. Check-in and out at the front desk
2. If required due to local health orders, or current COVID transmission rates, wear a face mask in compliance with the Basic Safety Standards while in the building
3. Complete a symptom screening/verification that they have no COVID-19 symptoms or recent exposures

Each day working in-person in UC ANR offices, employees must:

1. Complete the daily Clearance to Work Survey
2. If required due to local health orders, or current COVID transmission rates, wear a face mask in compliance with the Basic Safety Standards.