Effective immediately and until further notice, in response to Governor Andrew Cuomo’s executive order requiring everyone in New York State to wear a mask or face covering when out in public, all students and employees currently working or living on campus are required to wear a face mask when out in public or when social distancing is not possible. Employees working alone in their offices and students who are alone in a room do not need to wear masks, but anytime someone is on campus and within 6 feet of another person, the mask needs to be on. Either a cloth or surgical mask can be worn. The use of a face covering can potentially slow the spread of the virus and help people who may have the virus and do not know it from transmitting it to others.
How to obtain a mask:
Faculty and Staff Welcome Kits: Welcome Kits will be provided to faculty and staff as they are approved to return to campus during the University’s phased reopening. The kits contain an initial supply of reusable (washable) cloth face masks.
Student Welcome Kits: Welcome kits will be provided to students as they return for the fall semester. The kits will contain a supply of face masks.
Face mask dos and don’ts:
- Face masks are only effective for protection if they are handled, worn, stored, and disposed of properly. And experts continue to strongly urge everyone to maintain at least 6 feet of social distancing when possible—even with the use of face masks.
- Do practice proper hand hygiene. Before and after handling the mask (to put on, adjust, or take off), either wash your hands or use hand sanitizer to reduce cross-contamination risk. The outside of the mask is considered dirty.
- Do mark the outside of the mask in some way so you can easily identify which side is the outside of the mask and handle it accordingly. Some individuals mark the outside with their initials in permanent ink.
- Do keep a paper bag handy for storing the mask every time you take it off; an open plastic Ziploc-style baggie is an alternative if a paper bag is not available. Always store a mask in a clean place. Never store it in a purse or pocket.
- Don’t touch the outside of your mask while it is on your face.
- Don’t pull your mask below your chin while you are wearing it. Leaving the mask dangling or improperly fitted to your face creates opportunities for cross-contamination.
CDC Guidance on How to Safely Wear and Take Off a Cloth Face Mask