Upcoming Holiday Break Guidance and Protocol

In order to maintain the health and safety of the Whittier College community as well as the family, chosen family, and friends with whom we gather during the upcoming Thanksgiving and Winter Breaks, we are offering the following resources and adopting the protocols below.

The College urges anyone who will be traveling for Thanksgiving or Winter Break to adhere to CDC requirements and recommendations before, during, and after domestic or international travel. Pre-travel testing is available on campus to all students, staff, faculty, and contracted workers on a walk-in basis at Club 88 weekdays from 9 a.m. - noon. In addition, Whittier College testing requirements will be expanded upon return to campus as detailed below.
 
 
Return to Campus Requirement

Whittier College will require COVID-19 testing of the following groups upon return to campus after Thanksgiving and Winter Break:

• ALL international travelers are required to test 3-5 days after arrival in the U.S. regardless of vaccination status.
• ALL residential students are required to test 3-5 days after return to campus regardless of vaccination status or whether they traveled outside LA County or not.
• ALL unvaccinated (exempt) students, staff, faculty, and contracted workers participating in mandatory testing are required to test twice weekly for the two weeks following return to campus, whether they traveled outside LA County or not. Please plan for a minimum of two days between weekly tests.

 
Testing Schedule

On-campus testing hours will be altered to accommodate JanTerm classes and extended after holiday breaks. Winter athletes will receive specific instructions regarding testing while the Health Center is closed. 

Non-Compliance

Students who fail to comply with required testing will be restricted from classes and extracurricular activities and subject to the conduct process as necessary. Student-athletes who fail to comply with required testing will not be permitted to participate in intercollegiate athletics until compliant. Employees may be subject to disciplinary action.
 

International Travel Guidance

COVID-19 testing is required 1-3 days prior to departure for vaccinated and unvaccinated individuals traveling internationally.

The following new federal requirements become effective on 11/8/21 for travel to the U.S. from a foreign country:

• Non-U.S. citizens who are nonimmigrants (not U.S. citizens, U.S. nationals, lawful permanent residents, or traveling to the United States on an immigrant visa), need to show proof of being fully vaccinated against COVID-19 before traveling by air to the United States from a foreign country. There are limited exceptions to this requirement. Please note that objections to vaccination based on religious or moral convictions do not qualify according to the CDC Order Implementing Proclamation on Safe Resumption of Global Travel During the COVID-19 Pandemic.
• Fully vaccinated individuals must get a viral test no more than 3 days before the flight’s departure from a foreign country.
• Not fully vaccinated individuals must get a viral test no more than 1 day before the flight’s departure from a foreign country if you do not show proof of being fully vaccinated against COVID-19.

It is the traveler’s responsibility to check the specific vaccination and testing requirements of your airline and destination.

Domestic Travel Guidance

COVID-19 testing is strongly recommended 1-3 days prior to departure for individuals who are not fully vaccinated.