Campus Face Covering Protocols
The following face covering protocol has been established after reviewing CDC and California Department of Public Health (CDPH) recommendations, Cal/OSHA requirements and in accordance with guidance from our local health agencies.
Face coverings remain available at campus building lobbies. Employees who would like a higher level of protection may request an N95 mask.
Current Face Covering Recommendations
If you are a student experiencing COVID-19, flu-like symptoms, fever, or rash, please call the Student Health Center (SHC) at (209) 667-3396 before you arrive to allow SHC staff to better evaluate your needs over the phone and help determine the best level of care while preventing the spread of any possible illnesses.
Your Community Snapshot
Your community snapshot from the CDC Respiratory Illness Data Channel for Stockton and Turlock campuses is:
Overall respiratory virus activity in California
Low
Based on healthcare visits for fever and cough or sore throat. Visit the CDC FAQs.
Wastewater viral activity level in California*
COVID-19: Minimal
Wastewater (sewage) monitoring may provide an early warning that levels of infections are increasing or decreasing in your community, even when people don't have symptoms. Learn more about wastewater viral activity.
Face Covering Decision Process
The face covering recommendations on campus will be determined using CDPH recommendations and the county's CDC Respiratory Illness Data Channel for the campus location in Stockton (San Joaquin County) or Turlock (Stanislaus County), which is updated by the CDC on Fridays.
Face Covering Use
Face Coverings | NOT REQUIRED may wear a mask if desired |
---|---|
Overall Respiratory Virus Activity | MINIMAL or LOW |
Face Coverings | NOT REQUIRED strongly recommended to mask indoors if you are at high risk for severe illness |
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Overall Respiratory Virus Activity | MODERATE or MEDIUM |
Face Coverings | NOT REQUIRED - strongly recommended to mask in ALL INDOOR SPACES, including transportation with 2+ persons |
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Overall Respiratory Virus Activity | HIGH or VERY HIGH |
Face coverings are recommended by CDPH and Stan State to be worn around others when:
- You have respiratory symptoms (e.g., runny nose, sore throat, cough).
- You've had a significant exposure to someone who has tested positive for COVID-19; wear a mask indoors around others for 10 days following your last exposure during the person's isolation period.
- You are at higher risk for getting very sick with COVID-19 when in crowded indoor settings, indoor areas of public transportation (e.g., airplanes, trains, buses), and transportation hubs (e.g., airports, stations).
- Report positive cases and continue to follow the Isolation & Return Protocol for campus.
Note: The CDC COVID-19 Hospital Admission Level widget has been archived, and replaced with the CDC Respiratory Illness Data Channel.
Types of Face Coverings
Staff/Faculty: N95 Respirator as Face Covering
An N95 respirator can be worn voluntarily by faculty and staff, regardless of vaccination status. These are available at no cost to the individual or department.
A request for an N95 respirator must be submitted by each individual who will be using the item. Please use the N95 for Voluntary Use form to submit a request.
Putting on a face covering
- Avoid touching the front of the face covering once it's on.
- Wash hands or use hand sanitizer prior to handling the face covering.
- Ensure the face-covering fits over the nose and under the chin.
- Situate the face-covering properly with nose wire snug against the nose (where applicable).
- Tie straps behind the head and neck or loop around the ears.
Taking off a face covering
- Do not touch your eyes, nose, or mouth when removing the face covering.
- When taking off the face covering, loop your finger into the strap and pull the strap away from the ear, or untie the straps.
- Wash hands or use hand sanitizer immediately after removing.
Care, storage and laundering
- Keep face coverings stored in a paper bag when not in use.
- Face coverings should be replaced immediately if soiled, damaged (e.g. ripped, punctured) or visibly contaminated.
- Disposable face coverings must not be used for more than one day and should be placed in the trash after you return home for the day or if it is soiled, damaged (e.g., stretched ear loops, torn or punctured material) or visibly contaminated.
Approved Face Coverings
Face Covering Design | Picture | Description |
---|---|---|
Disposable surgical or medical grade mask |
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Manufactured non-woven material 3-ply filter with elastic loops that cover nose and mouth. |
Disposable KF94 |
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Manufactured non-woven material 4-ply filter with elastic loops that cover nose and mouth. KF94s are designed to meet Korean standards. These are not available through the COVID Supply Store but may be worn on campus. |
Disposable KN95 |
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Manufactured non-woven material 5-ply filter with elastic loops that cover nose and mouth. KN95s are designed to meet Chinese standards. |
Disposable N95 |
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Manufactured non-woven material 3-ply filter with elastic head straps. Filter efficiency of 95% or greater against solid and liquid aerosols free of oil. N95s are certified by the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) and meet U.S. standards. These are unavailable through the COVID Supply Store and must be requested through the N95 Voluntary Use Form. |
Face Shield with a drape |
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Clear plastic face shield with a drape long enough to tuck into the front of a shirt. These are an available accommodation and can be requested by submitting a Request for Reasonable Accommodation. |
Exemptions for Wearing Face Coverings
The following individuals are exempt from wearing face coverings at all times:
- Children under two years old, due to the risk of suffocation
- People with:
- A medical condition,
- Mental health condition, or
- A disability that precludes wearing a face covering. This includes:
- Those for whom a face covering could obstruct breathing
- Who are unconscious or incapacitated
- Unable to remove a face covering without help
- People for whom seeing the mouth is essential for communication:
- Hearing impaired, or
- Those communicating with a person who is hearing impaired
- People for whom wearing a face covering would create a risk as they work, as determined by:
- Local, state, or federal regulators, or
- Workplace safety guidelines
Updated: December 02, 2024