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Policy No: '''2019'''<br />
Policy No: '''2019'''<br />
Effective Date: '''DRAFT'''<br />
Effective Date: '''08/17/20'''<br />
Revised Date: <br />
Revised Date: 10/4/23<br />
Reviewed Date: ''' ''' <br />
Reviewed Date: ''' 10/04/23''' <br />


<big>'''Interim Face Covering Policy</big><br />
<big>'''Interim Face Covering Policy</big><br />


==Scope==
==Scope==
This policy applies to all University of Nebraska Medical Center (UNMC) faculty, staff, students, and visitors (including contractors, service providers and others) while on UNMC property.
This policy applies to all University of Nebraska Medical Center (UNMC) faculty, staff, fellows, residents, students and visitors (including contractors, service providers and others) while on property owned or controlled by UNMC.
==Policy Statement==
==Policy Statement==
Beginning August 15, 2020, all UNMC faculty, staff, students and visitors (including contractors, service providers and others) will be required to use a facial covering at all times when indoors (including elevators) on the UNMC campuses, with the following exceptions:<br />
UNMC, upon consultation with campus stakeholders and leadership, may issue face covering guidance for individuals on UNMC property. Campus face covering guidance shall be monitored and updated as necessary, communicated broadly, and published on the UNMC website.
*when eating; however, social distancing practices must be observed,
 
*when alone in a room with a closed door,
Masking may be required for certain types of research (e.g., BSL-3 work or animal operatory activities) or by occupational health directive (e.g., animal-specific related activities).
*when in a motor vehicle alone or only with members of your household,
 
*when an alternative is necessary as indicated by a medical professional during patient care,*
Masking may be required for certain activities or spaces (e.g., some comparative medicine training activities and operatory suites).<br />
*when in one’s assigned apartment or residence hall room,
 
*when the task requires the use of a NIOSH-approved respirator, or
*when pertaining to children under the age of 2 years.
   *See section on [https://wiki.unmc.edu/index.php/Face_Covering#Requesting_Alternatives Requesting Alternatives] below
   *See section on [https://wiki.unmc.edu/index.php/Face_Covering#Requesting_Alternatives Requesting Alternatives] below
Facial coverings are also required in outdoor settings on the UNMC campuses if safe social distancing and gathering practices are not possible unless subject to an exception. This policy shall remain in effect until further guidance is provided from the Office of the Chancellor.
==Reason for Policy==
==Reason for Policy==
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has acknowledged that use of facial coverings can help to slow the spread of COVID-19 in our communities. Cloth face coverings may help prevent people who have COVID-19 from spreading the virus to others. Wearing a cloth face covering will help protect people around you. Face coverings are most likely to reduce the spread of COVID-19 when they are widely used. The spread of COVID-19 can be reduced when cloth face coverings are used along with other [https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/prevent-getting-sick/prevention.html preventive measures], including [https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/prevent-getting-sick/social-distancing.html social distancing], frequent handwashing and cleaning and disinfecting frequently touched surfaces. A facial covering can reduce the trajectory of expelled respiratory droplets, which pose risk to those around you. When you wear a face covering, you demonstrate care about the health and safety of those in our campus communities.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has acknowledged that use of face coverings can help to slow the spread of diseases such as COVID-19 in our communities. Face coverings may help prevent people who have diseases such as COVID-19 from spreading the virus to others.  
==Procedures==
===*Requesting Alternatives===
===What Constitutes a Face Covering===
Individuals whose unique and individual circumstances require an alternative face covering, as indicated by a medical professional during patient care, may request one. An accommodation request can be submitted either through the [https://www.unmc.edu/student-success/support-services/accessibility/index.html Accessibility Services Center] (for students) or through HR [mailto:employeerelations@unmc.edu Employee relations].
There are no universal design standards for facial coverings. However, the covering must extend from the bridge of the nose to below the chin.
*Reusable cloth facial coverings are acceptable, as are disposable paper masks.
*A face shield is an acceptable alternative.
*Regardless of the type used, a mask should not be designed with an exhalation valve.
===Requesting Alternatives===
Individuals whose unique and individual circumstances require an alternative face covering, as indicated by a medical professional during patient care, may request one. To request an alternative, students should contact [https://www.unmc.edu/stucouns/services/disabilities/index.html Services for Students with Disabilities]. Staff and faculty should contact UNMC [mailto:employeerelations@unmc.edu Human Resources Employee Relations].
===Wearing and Caring for One's Facial Covering===
Each individual is responsible to care for their own facial covering. Disposable facial coverings are to be discarded as ordinary refuse after a single day’s use. Reusable cloth facial coverings should be washed regularly. Reusable face shields should be cleaned thoroughly with soap and hot water after each day’s use. Facial coverings that are visibly soiled or in poor condition should not be used.
===Additional Protective Measures===
This policy on facial coverings complements other important community and self-protection measures which are to be consistently practiced by all faculty, staff, students, and visitors. These measures include:
*Staying home if you are sick.
*Before coming to the UNMC campus, self-monitoring for any potential COVID-19 symptoms using evidence-based screening, such as the [https://www.unmc.edu/news.cfm?match=25636 1-Check COVID mobile app] (on Android and iOS devices).
*Washing hands frequently throughout the day and specifically doing so after contacting high-risk surfaces such as sinks, toilet handles, doorknobs and the like.
*Refraining from touching the face, eyes, nose, and mouth.
*Practicing social distancing, by maintaining six (6) feet of distance from others.
*Assisting in environmental cleaning by promptly washing surfaces that might have been contaminated by bodily fluids (e.g., one should disinfect their desk if they happen to sneeze on it). If the ability of the individual to accomplish such cleaning is limited, contact environmental services personnel.
===Compliance===
===Compliance===
Compliance with this policy is for the protection of those with whom you will be in contact when on campus. Any employee, student or visitor who fails to abide by these guidelines may be asked or directed to leave the campus space. Employees and students who are directed to leave a campus space for failure to comply with these guidelines may be taken off duty and/or subject to disciplinary action. For non-emergency COVID-19 concerns, including compliance with the face covering policy, please report your concerns to the '''Behavioral Review Team using the [https://www.unomaha.edu/student-life/student-safety/report-now.php Report Now] link.'''  
Compliance with this policy is for the protection of those with whom you will be in contact when on campus. Any employee, student or visitor who fails to abide by these guidelines may be asked or directed to leave the campus space. Employees and students who are directed to leave a campus space for failure to comply with these guidelines may be taken off duty and/or subject to disciplinary action.   
===Counteracting Existing Marginalization===
In implementing this policy, we must ensure protocols to optimize safety and provide a sense of wellbeing for all members of our community. We recognize that a policy to wear facial coverings may exacerbate implicit biases and existing racial stereotypes. Thus, we will provide training and professional development for members of campus units regarding face coverings in order to prevent racial profiling and targeting.
==Definitions==
 
==Additional Information==
==Additional Information==
*[mailto:unmchealthsecurity@unmc.edu UNMC Office of Health Security]
*[http://www.unmc.edu/ehs/ Environmental Health & Safety Department], 402-559-6356
*[http://www.unmc.edu/ehs/ Environmental Health & Safety Department], 402-559-6356
:*[https://info.unmc.edu/safety/safety-office/policies-resources/index.html UNMC Safety Resources]
*[mailto:unmcsecurityoffice@unmc.edu UNMC Campus Security], 402-559-5111
*[mailto:unmcsecurityoffice@unmc.edu UNMC Campus Security], 402-559-5111
*[https://www.unmc.edu/stucouns/services/disabilities/index.html Services for Students with Disabilities], 402-559-7276
*[https://www.unmc.edu/student-success/support-services/accessibility/index.html Accessibility Services Center], 402-559-7276
:*[https://www.unmc.edu/stucouns/services/disabilities/verification-of-disability-form.pdf Verification of Disability Form]
**[https://www.unmc.edu/student-success/support-services/accessibility/accommodation-request-process.html Accommodation Request Process]
:*[https://www.unmc.edu/student-success/support-services/accessibility/student-resources.html Verification of Disability Form]
*[https://www.unmc.edu/human-resources UNMC Human Resources]
*[mailto:employeerelations@unmc.edu Human Resources Employee Relations]
*[mailto:employeerelations@unmc.edu Human Resources Employee Relations]
:*[http://www.unmc.edu/hr/Proc/ADA-Sec504%20Grievance%20Procedures.pdf Americans with Disability Act and Section 504 Grievance Procedures – University of Nebraska]
:*[http://www.unmc.edu/hr/Proc/ADA-Sec504%20Grievance%20Procedures.pdf Americans with Disability Act and Section 504 Grievance Procedures – University of Nebraska]
:*[https://www.unmc.edu/hr/Proc/Req%20for%20Reasonable%20Accommodation%20-%20ADA.pdf Requests for Reasonable Accommodation under the Americans with Disabilities Act]
:*[https://www.unmc.edu/hr/Proc/Req%20for%20Reasonable%20Accommodation%20-%20ADA.pdf Requests for Reasonable Accommodation under the Americans with Disabilities Act]
*UNMC Policy No. 1098, [https://wiki.unmc.edu/index.php/Corrective/Disciplinary_Action Corrective and Disciplinary Action]
*UNMC Policy No. 1098, [https://wiki.unmc.edu/index.php/Corrective/Disciplinary_Action Corrective and Disciplinary Action]
*[https://www.unmc.edu/news.cfm?match=25636 1-Check COVID mobile app](on Android and iOS devices)
*[https://www.unmc.edu/news.cfm?match=25636 1-Check COVID mobile app]  
*[https://info.unmc.edu/safety/safety-office/policies-resources/index.html UNMC Safety Resources]
:*[https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=edu.unmc.covid19screener Android]
:*[https://apps.apple.com/us/app/1-check/id1514252153 iOS devices]
:*[https://1check.app/welcome web-based tool]
*[https://www.cdc.gov/ Centers for Disease Control and Prevention]
*[https://www.cdc.gov/ Centers for Disease Control and Prevention]
:*[https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/index.html Coronavirus Information and Tools]
:*[https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/index.html Coronavirus Information and Tools]
:*[https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/prevent-getting-sick/prevention.html Coronavirus Preventive Measures]
:*[https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/prevent-getting-sick/prevention.html Coronavirus Preventive Measures]
:*[https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/prevent-getting-sick/social-distancing.html Social Distancing]
 
==History and Moving Forward==
==History and Moving Forward==
This interim policy is effective for the duration of the coronavirus pandemic. UNMC will periodically evaluate this interim policy, consult stakeholders and constituents as appropriate, and modify this policy if necessary.
This was previously an interim policy that was established to during the coronavirus pandemic. UNMC will periodically evaluate this policy, consult stakeholders and constituents as appropriate, and modify this policy as necessary.




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