Face Covering Policy

Face coverings are required in healthcare settings and when conducting patient care/clinical activities, regardless of vaccination status, including:

• UW Medicine medical facilities
• Hall Health Center clinical floors, elevators, stairwells
• School of Dentistry clinical areas
• Employee Health Centers
• COVID-19 testing sites
• UW Speech and Hearing Clinic
• Psychiatry and mental health counseling clinical areas
• Center on Human Development and Disability (CHDD) clinical areas
• Clinical research settings when conducting clinical activities
• Health Sciences clinical training classrooms and settings when simulation of patient care activities are conducted
• Airlift Northwest facilities and aircraft
• Other settings when patient care/clinical activities are conducted

Patient care/clinical activities include any activities requiring Washington State Department of Health healthcare professional credentialing or licensing to perform. This includes investigational biomedical or behavioral interventions. It also includes activities conducted in association with a research study such as blood draws, diagnostic imaging (e.g., x-ray, MRI), IV placement, among others. It includes these activities regardless of intention (e.g., research only, treatment) or whether they are clinically billable. Visit the Human Subjects Division website for more information on COVID-19 safety measures for research involving human research participants. 

A face covering must:

• Fit snugly against the sides of the face;
• Completely cover the nose and mouth;
• Be secured with ties, ear loops, elastic bands, or another equally effective method;
• Include at least two layers of material;
• Allow for breathing without restriction;
• Be capable of being laundered and machine dried without damage or change to shape (if made with cloth); and
• Be free of holes, tears or valves that have the potential to release respiratory droplets.

A face covering can also be a mask that provides a higher level of protection than a cloth face covering, such as a medical procedure/surgical mask, or a respirator, such as a KF94, KN95, or N95 mask.

The following types of face coverings do not adequately contain the respiratory droplets of the wearer:

• Bandanas without ear loops that don't fit snugly to the face
• Face coverings made of mesh fabric, including neck gators
• Face coverings with holes, tears or openings that could release respiratory droplets
• Respirators with exhalation valves or vented dust masks
• Face shields (when not combined with a face covering)

In the Workplace:

Personnel are required to comply with this policy as a condition of employment, as well as for the health and safety of themselves, their colleagues, and the UW community. Units are required to ensure all of their personnel have a thorough understanding of the requirements outlined in this policy. If, after education and training, personnel refuse to comply, contact your college/school/campus’s dean/chancellor office or your unit’s human resources/academic human resources (HR/AHR) representative to initiate the appropriate corrective action or standard of conduct process. If your dean/chancellor’s office or unit’s human resources representatives require assistance, they should contact their central HR consultant or Academic Human Resources business partner. If personnel state they are unable to wear a mask due to a health condition, refer the individual to the formal accommodation request process. University personnel with concerns that other personnel are not complying should speak with their supervisor or report it to EH&S.

Students:

Students are required to follow the University’s COVID-19 Face Covering Policy at all times when on-site at the University, including any posted requirements in specific buildings or spaces.

If a student refuses to comply with the policy, the student can be asked to leave University premises. If they live in an on-campus residence hall, they can return to their residence hall unit. Student Conduct offices are available for consultations on potential violations of student conduct if needed. University personnel with concerns that a student or group of students are not complying with this policy should speak with their supervisor, consult with the campus student conduct office, or report it to EH&S. Students concerned about other students should contact their campus student conduct office.

Members of the public, customers and visitors on campus:

Members of the public, patients, customers and visitors to the University are required to follow the University’s face covering policy and wear face coverings when entering a University facility or area that requires them in order to receive service in accordance with this policy. If a member of the public, customer or visitor is not wearing a face covering in a required area, the following steps are to be taken:

Begin with a polite verbal request for compliance to educate and persuade the individual to wear a face covering. University personnel should ask the individual to wear a mask or face covering, and have a supply of disposable facemasks to offer individuals who do not have one.

If, following a polite verbal request, the individual continues to decline to wear a face covering or facemask, personnel should notify the site manager to assist the customer with determining if accommodations, such as curbside pickup, can be made.

If the individual refuses to wear a face covering and does not indicate a medical condition or disability that prevents them from wearing a face covering, they should be politely informed that they are not permitted to enter and be asked to leave. Personnel should not attempt to physically block an individual or physically remove them from the space and should avoid confrontation but should not provide service. Law enforcement (e.g., University of Washington Police Department or local law enforcement agency) may be called for help as a last resort.

Members of the public, patients, customers and visitors to the University are required to follow the University’s face covering policy and wear face coverings when entering a University facility or area that requires them in order to receive service in accordance with the University's COVID-19 Face Covering Policy.

UW units can order supplies, including face coverings, from the Creative Communications Safe and Clean storefront. Access is limited to those who have been delegated access by their unit leader. Information about accessing the storefront is available from UW Procurement.  

Masks are an important layer of protection for preventing the spread of COVID-19; however, wearing a mask for long periods of time can cause skin problems including acne (also known as “maskne”), rashes and itchiness.

• Cleanse your face before and after wearing a mask. 
• If you have dry skin, apply moisturizer to your skin before putting on a mask.
• Apply a ceramide-containing facial lotion or petroleum jelly as a barrier to help prevent skin irritation in areas where the mask rubs against your skin.  
• Avoid wearing a liquid foundation or any makeup that can clog your pores, which may cause your skin to break out. Foundation, aftershave, sunscreen and similar products can also rub off on your mask, leading to decreased air filtration, making it harder to breathe.   
• Wash cloth masks daily. Replace disposable masks after each use, and when they become contaminated or wet.
• Consider wearing a different type of mask if you are uncomfortable with your current mask.
  • Avoid synthetic fabrics, such as nylon or polyester, on the inside layer that rests against your face, as these fabrics are more likely to irritate your skin.
  • Cloth masks should have an inner layer made from an absorbent material (e.g., cotton) to help absorb sweat that can lead to breakouts 
• If you are considering using a facemask bracket to prevent acne, be aware that it could lead to gaps between the mask and your face that may cause your mask to be less effective. If you decide to use a bracket under your mask, ensure the mask fits snugly against your face.

Read the American Academy of Dermatology Association article “9 Ways to Prevent Face Mask Skin Problems” for more information.

If you continue to have skin problems that go unresolved after following these recommendations, speak with your health care provider and/or a dermatologist.