YVC COVID-19 Protocols

Yakima Valley College continues to closely monitor coronavirus and the guidance of public health officials to keep our community safe and healthy.

For immediate questions or concerns, please contact the Washington Department of Health Call Center: 1.800.525.0127 and press #.

Current masking policy 

YVC indoor masking on campus is voluntary. We strongly support individual masking decisions by anyone on campus and ask everyone to be respectful of the choices of others.

  • Anyone who tests COVID-positive and is returning to campus after the 5-day isolation period must wear a well-fitting mask for days 6-10 after the onset of symptoms or positive test result.
  • Anyone who has been exposed to someone with COVID-19 must wear a mask on campus around others for the full 10 days after exposure.
  • Students who are working in healthcare settings, such as clinical sites and the dental hygiene clinic, are required to wear masks.

Notification Process for a COVID Exposure or Positive Test

Notification Process For Students

  • Do not come to campus until you have isolated for the appropriate length of time as outlined by CDC guidelines or if you are sick and suspect that you have COVID but do not yet have test results.
  • Students who tested COVID-positive and are returning to campus after a 5-day isolation period must wear a well-fitting mask for days 6-10 after the onset of symptoms or positive test result.
  • Students exposed to someone with COVID-19 must wear a mask on campus around others for the full 10 days after exposure and should get tested at least 5 full days after your last exposure per CDC guidance.
  • Students taking in-person courses who have a positive test or are waiting on a test result should contact their instructors directly to discuss work for those courses.
  • Questions can be directed to Campus Safety at 509.574.4610.

 Notification Process For Employees

  • An employee who has tested positive for COVID-19 or exhibits symptoms, or who has been exposed to COVID-19, needs to contact Human Resources at 509.574.4670 to initiate a COVID contact report.
  • Human Resources will then manage the notification of appropriate personnel.
  • Do not come to campus until you have isolated for the appropriate length of time as outlined by CDC guidelines, or if you are sick and suspect that you have COVID but do not yet have test results.
  • Employees who tested COVID-positive and are returning to work after a 5-day isolation period must wear a well-fitting mask for days 6-10 after the onset of symptoms or positive test result.
  • Employees exposed to someone with COVID-19 must wear a mask on campus for the full 10 days after exposure and should get tested at least 5 full days after your last exposure per CDC guidance.

Information for current and prospective students

YVC follows the CDC’s guidance regarding isolation periods and precautions for individuals who test positive for COVID-19 or suspect they have COVID but do not yet have test results. Please read the CDC’s guidance for full details about what you should do. Following is a summary:

  • If you test positive for COVID-19 or have symptoms, regardless of vaccination status, stay home and isolate yourself for at least 5 days.
    • If you have symptoms, you can end isolation if you are fever-free for 24 hours (without the use of fever-reducing medication) and your symptoms are improving. If you did not have symptoms, you can end isolation after at least 5 full days after your positive test.
    • Wear a mask for a full 10 days following a positive test.
  • If you were exposed to COVID-19, regardless of vaccination status, wear a mask for a full 10 days after exposure. Get tested at least 5 days after the last exposure.
    • You do not need to isolate yourself at home unless you develop symptoms.

Full vaccination and boosters for eligible individuals remain the surest way to avoid infection or experience less severe symptoms if you catch COVID-19. You can find numerous nearby opportunities to get vaccinated free of charge at Vaccinate WA. Following YVC’s COVID safety protocols also will help reduce the risk of catching COVID.

If a single positive COVID case is reported in an in-person class that class may continue, but students should gauge their individual level of risk and talk with instructors directly regarding in-person attendance. Further questions about accommodations related to in-person attendance may be directed to the division dean (Kerrie Cavaness, Arts & Sciences; Mark Coomer, College & Career Readiness; Skye Field, Workforce Education).

If you test positive for COVID-19 or have symptoms, regardless of vaccination status, stay home and isolate for at least 5 days.

  • If you have symptoms, you can end isolation if you are fever-free for 24 hours (without the use of fever-reducing medication) and your symptoms are improving. If you did not have symptoms, you can end isolation after at least 5 full days after your positive test.
  • Wear a mask for a full 10 days following a positive test.

If you were exposed to COVID-19, regardless of vaccination status, wear a mask for a full 10 days after exposure. Get tested at least 5 days after last exposure.

  • You do not need to isolate at home unless you develop symptoms.

Notification Process for a COVID Exposure or Positive Test

 Notification Process For Students

Only those students who are taking in-person classes or who have visited campus need to immediately report positive COVID-19 tests or close contacts, to Campus Safety at 509.574.4610.

  • Do not come to campus until you have isolated or quarantined for the appropriate length of time as outlined by CDC guidelines.
  • Students who tested COVID-positive and are returning to campus after a 5-day isolation period must wear a well-fitting mask for days 6-10 after the onset of symptoms or positive test result.
  • Students exposed to someone with COVID-19 must wear a mask on campus around others for the full 10 days after exposure.
  • Students taking in-person courses who have a positive test or close contact should contact their instructors directly to discuss work for those courses.

 Notification Process For Employees

  • An employee who has tested positive for COVID-19 or exhibits symptoms needs to contact Human Resources at 509.574.4670 to initiate a COVID contact report. Also, notify your supervisor.
  • Human Resources will then manage the notification of appropriate personnel.
  • Do not come to campus until you have isolated or quarantined for the appropriate length of time as outlined by CDC guidelines.
  • Employees who tested COVID-positive and are returning to work after a 5-day isolation period must wear a well-fitting mask for days 6-10 after the onset of symptoms or positive test result.
  • Employees exposed to someone with COVID-19 must wear a mask on campus for the full 10 days after exposure.

Students taking in-person courses who have a positive test or close contact should contact their instructors directly to discuss work for those courses. Instructors are prepared to work with students so that they can continue to progress in their learning and classwork.

YVC’s library services also has equipment, including laptops, that are available for students to check out. Learn more online.

The college has closely monitored the status of COVID-19 in our local community, Washington State and beyond since winter 2020. We know how valuable in-person learning is for our students’ education and career preparation, and for certain programs in-person instruction is required by the college’s accrediting bodies. YVC has been successful with the stringent safety protocols in place for classes taking place on our campuses since Summer 2020 and by adhering to these protocols we can both protect the safety of our campus community and provide essential in-person learning opportunities.

Are your Staff and Faculty?

Yes, vaccinations are required.

The Governor’s Educator Vaccine Requirement announced on August 18, 2021, requires employees in Washington’s higher education institutions to be vaccinated.

  • All employees must be fully vaccinated, including employees who work remotely.
  • Employees may apply for a medical or religious exemption, but personal or philosophical exemptions are no longer permitted.
  • You are considered fully vaccinated two weeks after you get your second dose of a messenger RNA (mRNA) vaccine, such as Pfizer-BioNTech or Moderna, or two weeks after a single dose of the Janssen/Johnson & Johnson vaccine.

Are you a Student?

Vaccinations are encouraged, but not required

YVC strongly encourages students to get vaccinated against COVID-19, but we will not require vaccinations as a condition of learning and working on campus. Some clinical sites may require vaccinations.

How to get Vaccinated

Vaccines have proven highly effective against COVID-19, even the variants. If you have not been vaccinated, we strongly encourage you to do so. Find a location.

Coronavirus COVID-19 Updates

  • Tuesday, September 6
  • Friday, March 11
  • Monday, January 10

  • Monday, October 11
  • Monday, August 2, 2021
  • Wednesday, June 30, 2021
  • Wednesday, April 14, 2021
  • Friday March 12, 2021
  • Monday, June 11, 2021

  • Monday, November 23, 2020
  • Friday, October 9, 2020
  • Wednesday, July 1, 2021
  • Monday, May 11, 2020
  • Friday, May 1, 2020
  • Tuesday, April 28, 2020
  • Tuesday, April 14, 2020
  • Friday, April 3, 2020
  • Thursday, April 2, 2020
  • Wednesday, March 25, 2020
  • Tuesday, March 24, 2020
  • Monday, March 23, 2020
  • Tuesday, March 17, 2020
  • Monday, March 16, 2020
  • Friday, March 13, 2020
  • Thursday, March 12, 2020
  • Monday, March 9, 2020
  • Tuesday, March 3, 2020

Combatting Stigma

YVC will not condone harassment against individuals or groups. If you witness or experience any bias or harassment please report it to our Campus Safety Office at 509-574-4610. Additionally, YVC students who need more personal support during this time are encouraged to seek counseling services at our Counseling & Advising Center.  Coronavirus Stigma Fact Sheet