Mask Requirement

One of the best-known ways to help slow the spread of Covid-19, is to correctly wear a face covering, which means wearing it snugly over both your nose and mouth. When required, face masks should be worn in accordance with the Covid Protocols.

Acceptable Face Masks

When required by the Covid Protocols, individuals should wear medical-grade KN95, N95 masks or multi-layered masks (e.g., disposable surgical-type without ventilators). A layered cloth mask, or one with a filter or atop a disposable mask is also acceptable. Face shields are allowed to be worn if accompanied with an appropriate face mask.

• How to tell if your N95 mask (respirator) is NIOSH approved.

The university provides appropriate disposable masks at stations across campus, if you forget to bring one.

Here are some examples of acceptable and unacceptable face masks to wear when inside university facilities or around campus:

Mask Tips

Proper Ways to Put on Your Face Mask

1. Wash or sanitize your hands before putting on and after removing a mask.
2. Identify the inside of the mask, which is usually white or lighter in color.
3. Place the inside of the mask over your nose and mouth by placing the loops over your ears.
4. Pinch the nose wire to prevent air from leaking out of the top of the mask.
5. Secure the mask under your chin.
6. Make sure it fit snugly against the sides of your face and doesn’t have gaps. (Keep beards trimmed close to your face and double mask for more protection.)
7. Do not put the mask around your neck or up on your forehead.
8. Avoid touching the mask while wearing.

Proper Ways to Remove Your Face Mask

1. When removing your mask, handle only by the ties or ear loops.
2. Fold outside corners together and throw away or store until next use.
3. Be careful not to touch your eyes, nose or mouth while removing the face mask.
4. Wash your hands after touching the face mask.

How to Maintain a Mask

• Do not share a face mask.
• Store a face mask in a paper bag, envelope or something that won’t retain moisture in between uses.
• Discard a single-use mask if it becomes dirtied, damaged, wet or difficult to breathe through. Replace periodically.
• See the CDC recommendations.