FACE COVERING POLICY - COVID-19

Face Mask Use and Guidance

Effective immediately and until further notice, everyone on the Eastern Connecticut State University must wear a facemask upon arrival, including students, faculty, staff, visitors and vendors. This includes campus grounds and facilities. The only exceptions are when in dormitory rooms, private offices and office cubicles where six feet of social distancing can be maintained. In addition, due to the nature of some of their jobs, i.e. use of heavy outdoor equipment, Level 1 employees may need to remove facemasks to perform their work.

Masks must fully cover the nose and mouth; masks that have a valve or vent to expel respiration are not acceptable in meeting this requirement.

Due to limited supplies of facemasks, all employees are strongly encouraged to use their personal facemasks, which all should have, upon arrival at Eastern Connecticut State University. If an employee does not have a facemask, they should contact the Office of Environmental Health and Safety in advance of coming to campus.

This link from the CDC should be used when making your own facemask.

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.

Face mask dos and don’ts

Facemasks are only effective for protection if they are handled, worn, stored and disposed of properly. Experts continue to strongly urge everyone to maintain at least 6 feet of social distancing when possible—even with the use of facemasks.

• 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

How often should I clean my cloth face covering?

Your cloth face covering should be routinely washed depending on the frequency of use. Regular machine washing and drying is sufficient. If part of your face covering, you may need to remove and discard elastic or rubber bands prior to washing and drying, then replace when the fabric portion is clean

How do I safely remove a used cloth face covering?

Be careful not to touch your eyes, nose, or mouth when removing your cloth face covering. Wash your hands immediately after removing and handling prior to laundering.

How else can you protect yourself at work?

• The single, most important thing you can do at work is to wash your hands frequently for a minimum of 20 seconds, as recommended by the CDC.
• Use hand sanitizer if you are unable to wash your hands right away
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth
• Cover your cough, sneeze, and yawn
• Wipe down surfaces before you start your work tasks and at the end of your shift