Face Covering

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Policy No: 2019
Effective Date: DRAFT
Revised Date:
Reviewed Date:

Interim Face Covering Policy

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.

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 face covering at all times when indoors (including elevators) on the UNMC campuses, with the following exceptions:

  • when eating; however, social distancing practices must be observed,
  • when alone in a room with a closed door,
  • 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,*
  • 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 Requesting Alternatives below

Face 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

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has acknowledged that use of face 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 preventive measures, including social distancing, frequent handwashing and cleaning and disinfecting frequently touched surfaces. A face 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.

Procedures

What Constitutes a Face Covering

There are no universal design standards for face coverings. However, the covering must extend from the bridge of the nose to below the chin.

  • Reusable cloth face 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 Services for Students with Disabilities. Staff and faculty should contact UNMC Human Resources Employee Relations.

Wearing and Caring for One's Face Covering

Each individual is responsible to care for their own face covering. Disposable face coverings are to be discarded as ordinary refuse after a single day’s use. Reusable cloth face coverings should be washed regularly. Reusable face shields should be cleaned thoroughly with soap and hot water after each day’s use. Face coverings that are visibly soiled or in poor condition should not be used.

Additional Protective Measures

This policy on face 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 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 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 Report Now link.

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 face 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

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.


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