INDEX

• ARC: Reservations required, plus other new protocols
• Updated guidance on borrowing from retirement plans
• Benefits changes: No need to wait for open enrollment

The Activities and Recreation Center reopened this week with reduced hours, reservations required and other changes for safety.

Admission is limited to patrons with active memberships, along with current students (Summer Session I and Summer Semester). They can reserve time slots lasting one hour and 15 minutes, after which the facility is closed for 45 minutes for cleaning.

Each guest must complete a COVID-19 questionnaire before entering, and must follow Yolo County guidelines for face coverings, which state that one must be worn inside the facility at all times except during an activity where 6 feet of distance can be maintained from others.

A maximum of 150 people are allowed inside the ARC at one time, and everyone is required to sanitize equipment, mats and machines before and after use. Sanitizing wipes are provided.

Other changes include the temporary suspension of small group trainings, towel service, day lockers and drinking fountains. Touchless water bottle filling stations are still available.

Reservations — one per day — can be made through the Rec Portal.

Hours and other details about the ARC’s reopening are available on the Campus Recreation website.

Updated guidance on borrowing

If you or a dependent has experienced financial consequences due to the COVID-19 pandemic, or are diagnosed with COVID-19, you can withdraw money from your UC Retirement Savings Program accounts without customary penalties.

The savings program includes the Defined Contribution Plan, Tax-Deferred 403(b) Plan and 457(b) Deferred Compensation Plan.

See the updated guidance posted today (June 30) on UCnet.

Benefits changes allowed

Because of the pandemic, employees and non-Medicare retirees can change their benefits enrollments, something that normally would not be allowed until open enrollment.

The time period for making changes for 2020 runs until Oct. 28, just before the start of open enrollment for 2021.

Here’s what you can do:

• Medical plans — Enroll in new coverage, change plans or coverage level (e.g., from self to family).
• Health Flexible Spending Accounts (HSA) — Change or cancel your 2020 election, or enroll for 2020.
• Dependent Care Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA) — Change or cancel your 2020 election, or enroll for 2020.

Also, for Health FSA, UC has been authorized to increase the amount that can be carried over from 2020 to 2021 from $500 to $550.

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