- Masks or face coverings must be worn over the nose and mouth when inside any University building and outdoors. Exceptions are permitted only when exercising alone, actively eating, and when a student is in their own residence room. Faculty and staff may remove their masks when working in their individual offices with the door closed.
- In order to protect those most vulnerable to this disease, waivers for face coverings to attend class will not be granted.
- Those who are in violation of this policy may be subject to disciplinary action.
Resources
ACHA Considerations for Reopening Institutions of Higher Education
The high-touch, highly interactive, mobile, densely populated living and learning environment typical of most campuses is the exemplar of a congregate setting with multiple risk factors for the ready transmission of COVID-19.
Meticulous adherence to public health practices, including hand hygiene, physical distancing, proper cough/sneeze etiquette, frequent disinfection of common and high-traffic areas, symptom assessment, temperature checks, and face covering in public, is the new normal on campus.
CDC How to Protect Yourself and Others
Recommend and reinforce the use of cloth face coverings among students, faculty, and staff. Face coverings should be worn, as feasible, and are most essential in times when physical distancing is difficult.
Higher Education Reopening Guidance Virginia
Faculty cloth face coverings should be worn in times when at least six feet of physical distancing cannot be maintained. For example, an instructor standing in a classroom seven feet from students could teach without a face covering. During meetings or gatherings or in narrow hallways or other settings where physical distancing may not be easy to maintain, a face covering would be prudent to wear.
Other activities, such as speaking loudly, singing, etc., should be considered and may require additional distance. Students should be encouraged to wear cloth face coverings in times when at least six feet of physical distance cannot be maintained. Institutions should consider adopting relevant business-sector guidance for staff regarding the use of face coverings (e.g. fitness center, dining, student services, etc.). Face coverings should be worn in public-facing areas and in office spaces where six feet of physical distance cannot be maintained.
Updated Jan. 14, 2021
