The emergency declaration was also a necessary administrative procedure to allow the District to qualify for federal and state funding and resources to manage the impacts of COVID-19. At this time, San Diego County, the state of California, and the federal government have ended the public emergency declarations which impact the District, our operations, and access to resources. Accordingly, at its meeting yesterday, the Board of Trustees rescinded its COVID-19 emergency declaration.
Over the course of the COVID-19 pandemic, public health agencies and experts recommended a variety of measures which would reduce the spread of COVID-19 and the likelihood of severe illness. Our Board of Trustees, District administration, participatory governance and collective bargaining leaders, and student leaders consistently supported measures which would protect our most vulnerable community members. Our District took a measured and deliberate approach to returning to onsite instruction, activities, and work. We upgraded air filtration and HVAC systems in our buildings. We implemented a testing program and face covering requirement for onsite activities to reduce the spread of COVID-19. We implemented a vaccination requirement for onsite work to enhance individual protection from COVID-19 and severe illness.
Over the last year, we have evaluated the evolving public health conditions in San Diego County, changes in public health guidance from appropriate agencies and experts, and the rates of COVID-19 within our District community. We have removed individual protection measures cautiously. We are pleased to see the prevalence of COVID-19 in our District community has continued to decline even as we have removed various protective measures.
The initial public health response to COVID-19 required us to change our behaviors collectively to reduce its spread. At this time, it has become evident an individualized approach to choosing the appropriate protective measures can effectively minimize the spread of COVID-19. It has also become evident the initial COVID-19 vaccination series is less effective against newer variants of the virus. Accordingly, the Board of Trustees has rescinded the resolutions which implemented the COVID-19 vaccination requirement. Effective immediately, the San Diego Community College District will not require any student, employee, or visitor to its campuses to be vaccinated against COVID-19, with the exception of specific programs and activities under the jurisdiction of an appropriate legal authority which has implemented a vaccination requirement.
Thank you for you efforts throughout the COVID-19 pandemic to prioritize the health and safety of all our community members, especially those most vulnerable to severe illness. Thank you for your resilience and persistence through the countless disruptions COVID-19 has imposed on our lives.