COVID-19 Information

Many of our COVID-19 requirements have been lifted while the San Mateo County COVID-19 Community Level is green/low. However, staying healthy is still a priority for all of us.  Our safety protocols adhere to the requirements by Stanford University, the Department of Energy, and the CDC, while allowing SLAC personnel, staff, researchers, subcontractors, and business visitors the best ability to continue doing science and working safety.   

Current COVID-19 Requirements at SLAC

  • Do not come on site to SLAC if you test positive for COVID
    If you have prior access to Health Check and you test positive or have symptoms, update Health Check and follow the guidance given.
    If you are a User, Visitor (business or casual), or Affiliate, contact your Point of Contact (POC) if you test positive for COVID and reschedule your appointment if possible. 
  • If you are experiencing COVID-like symptoms, we recommend you not come on site and test for COVID with a rapid antigen test.  If you do come on site, please wear a face mask and keep a six-foot distance between yourself and others. 
  • Masking is not generally required on the SLAC site while the San Mateo County COVID-19 Community Level is green/low. You are encouraged to wear a mask if you prefer to do so, especially while in large groups.  
  • Masking is still required in the Occupational Health Center office suite (in Building 28) and post-international-travel for at least 5 days (see below for more travel details). Where or when masking is required, N95s, KN95s, or surgical masks must be used. Cloth masks alone are not permitted but can be worn with a surgical mask underneath.

Note that gatherings (events, conferences, lectures, tours, etc) may have additional other specific guidance based on the Safety Plan they have worked out for the particular event. Point of Contacts should see the internal Gatherings   page for details and a template for Safety Plans.

These requirements are in accordance with Stanford Policy and the Department of Energy's COVID-19 Workplace Safety and Reentry Framework.  These requirements apply to everyone entering the SLAC site, including staff, users, contractors, visitors, and others. 

Access Details

SLAC Employees, Stanford Staff, and SU Graduate Students

SLAC employees need to complete ESH Training Course 100-R  , Stanford staff and students should do their appropriate SU required training.  Do not come on site to SLAC if you test positive for COVID; update Health Check and follow the actions provided.  SLAC personnel with a log-in should visit our internal COVID-19 Resource Center  for additional information.  

Subcontractors

Subcontractors are required to follow all SLAC COVID-19 safety protocols while on-site, including face coverings when the community level is medium or high.  Please discuss requirements with your SLAC Procurement Point of Contact.  Requirements to come on-site with SLAC Field Construction Manager (FCM) concurrence may include badge-specific requirements (check with your FCM/Point of Contact).  See the SLAC Subcontractor Badging Process  for more details about badging.

Visitors (Business Visitors and Casual Visitors)

To request visitor access, the host should request their visitor complete the access form at the SLAC Access Portal.  The portal is used to capture all access to SLAC.  

Do not come on site to SLAC if you test positive for COVID; contact your Point of Contact to reschedule. 

Visitors are required to follow all SLAC COVID-19 safety protocols while on-site, including face coverings when the community level is medium or high. Please discuss current protocols with your Point of Contact.

Scientific Users

Each User Facility (SSRL, LCLS, FACET, Cryo-EM, AD Test Facilities, ATLAS, and many others) will have their own approval process to come on site.  Please see the user facility sites   for details.  Check with your User Facility Point of Contact to understand all requirements. 

COVID-like symptoms   must be reported to your POC. COVID-19 testing while on-site at SLAC is optional for all users, but highly recommended, especially if you are having symptoms.  Please bring your own rapid antigen test kits as SLAC cannot provide them. Most local pharmacies carry test kits for purchase. If you are from the United States with a health plan, insurance will generally cover these (see the pharmacist).

If you test positive for COVID, contact your Point of Contact (POC) and do not come on site to SLAC. (if you are in the Guest House, stay in your room and notify the Guest House manager.). POCs should then notify covid@slac.stanford.edu with 'secure' in the subject line.

Course 100R  : COVID-19 Training is recommended but optional for users. See your User Facility webpage for other required core training or check with your Point of Contact.

There are additional masking and testing requirements based on origin of travel location (international or US) and duration of visit to SLAC.  See below and please discuss with your User Facility Point of Contact.

 

Coming to SLAC from Travel / Returning from Travel

If you are coming on site directly from travel, there are additional requirements, summarized below.

Visit Duration Less than 72 hours

If you will be on the SLAC site for less than 3 days, wear a well-fitting, high-quality mask while on site.  This is required if your travel was international, and highly recommended if within the United States.

Domestic Travel (within the USA)

You are not required to self-isolate or test before coming or returning to on-site work after domestic travel, as long as you are not experiencing COVID symptoms. However, to minimize the potential spread of COVID to your colleagues, we recommend the following:

  • Test 3-5 days post-travel, especially if you attended a large gathering. 
  • Wear a well-fitting, high-quality mask while on site until you are cleared by a negative test 3-5 days post-travel.
  • Minimize any unmasked close proximity to others while on site for 3-5 days post-travel.
  • Self-monitor for COVID symptoms for 10 days post-travel. Stay off site and update your status in Health Check if you experience COVID symptoms. 

 

International Travel (outside the USA)

If you were traveling internationally, please follow either Protocol A or B as detailed below:

  • Protocol A (testing option)
    • Test no earlier than Day 5 after return from travel. 
    • You are required to wear a well-fitting, high-quality mask for five days post-travel while on site.
    • Minimize unmasked close proximity to others (as much as possible) until you receive a negative Day 5 test result.
    • Use of the Arrillaga Recreation Center at SLAC (ARCAS) is permitted, but a well-fitting mask must be worn.
    • Once cleared by that negative COVID Day 5 test, no further restrictions apply. Continue to monitor yourself for symptoms.
       
  • Protocol B (no-test option)
    • You are required to wear a well-fitting, high-quality mask for five days post-travel while on site.
    • Minimize unmasked close proximity to others
    • Continue to wear a mask if you cannot stay six feet away from others between Day 5 and Day 10.
    • Use of the Arrillaga Recreation Center at SLAC (ARCAS) is permitted, but a well-fitting mask must be worn.

 

Questions?

If you have any questions regarding COVID-19 safety protocols or access requirements, please first check with your Point of Contact.  If additional information is needed, please email covid@slac.stanford.edu and cc your POC so they will be informed as well.

(Updated 8/03/2023)

 

COVID-19 Resources

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Regional/State/National/Global