Cerritos College President Dr. Jose Fierro reminded students, faculty, staff and visitors to upload their proof of weekly testing or vaccination onto the digital health screening website called Optimum HQ in order to enter campus.

“By Nov. 1 the system will begin blocking those who have not submitted proof of vaccinations or have not supplied a weekly negative COVID-19 test,” Dr. Fierro said, regarding the mandatory system students are required to use before entering campus.

Dr. Fierro said Cerritos College offers free COVID-19 testing with a result in about 24 hours and that vaccinations are being offered. In order to get a testing appointment, it must be scheduled 48 hours in advance.

“There is a system that is called Optimum HQ that will give you the option to upload your vaccination card,” Dr. Fierro said. “the staff will then check the authenticity of the card.”

The president said once the vaccination card is uploaded to the system, people will then be given access to be on campus.

“The CDC has not included boosters in their definition of fully vaccinated,” Dr. Fierro said. He added that it’s important to have both doses of Moderna or Pfizer, or one dose of the Johnson & Johnson vaccine.

Dr. Fierro said that the spring 2022 semester will look different and that there will be no exceptions such as weekly testing, despite a medical or religious exemption, in regards to being vaccinated.

“Everyone has to provide proof of vaccination in order to be on campus,” Dr. Fierro said. The vaccination requirement begins Jan. 3, 2022.

He said that there’s a 30 day grace period for uploading the proof of vaccination to Optimum HQ in order to prevent disruption of the fall semester.

“Beginning Nov. 1, if you have not submitted your proof of vaccination or weekly testing, you will not be allowed on campus,” Dr. Fierro said, “please make sure to submit your vaccination card beginning as soon as today.”

Dr. Fierro said the mask mandate will at least remain throughout the spring 2022 semester. He mentioned that the LA County mask mandate indoors has helped reduce COVID-19 positivity rates on campus.

“The campus continues to be a very safe place, the campus continues to maintain a very low number of positivity rates and we hope to continue to stay that way,” Dr. Fierro said.

He hopes to bring more campus activities as COVID-19 cases stabilize.

In regards to the spring 2022 semester, courses will be offered online, remote or on campus. parking will continue to remain free for the upcoming semester.

Fierro recommended students visit the Cerritos College website for more information regarding campus events, COVID-19 and enrollment.