Face Coverings

 

As Georgia Tech moves forward with a phased re-opening of campus, the health and safety of our community is our priority. Below you will find details regarding the use of face coverings while on campus.

Upon returning to campus, every employee will be given two reusable cloth face coverings. See your building manager to receive your face coverings. Below you will find details regarding the use of face coverings while on campus.

Why Should You Wear a Face Covering?

Cloth face coverings are important in preventing transmission from asymptomatic individuals who have Covid-19. 

Effective July 15, 2020, University System of Georgia (USG) institutions will require all faculty, staff, students, and visitors to wear an appropriate face covering while inside campus facilities/buildings where six feet social distancing may not always be possible. Face covering use will be in addition to, and is not a substitute for, social distancing.

Face coverings are not required in one’s own dorm room or suite, when alone in an enclosed office or study room, or in campus outdoor settings where social distancing requirements are met. 

Anyone not using a face covering when required will be asked to wear one or must leave the area. Repeated refusal to comply with the requirement may result in discipline through the applicable conduct code for faculty, staff, or students.

Reasonable accommodations may be made for those who are unable to wear a face covering for documented health reasons. 

A face covering is required for employees who work in areas where social distancing is difficult to practice. Ongoing personal protective equipment (PPE) requirements in laboratories also apply.

Appropriate cloth face coverings and PPE will be provided to employees who are required to wear them.  

Employees, who are required to wear a face covering and consistently fail to do so, will be referred to Georgia Tech Human Resources (GTHR). Failure to wear a face covering in a research laboratory is treated as a laboratory safety violation and should be reported to both the unit director and Environmental Health and Safety (EH&S).

What Areas are Affected?

Employees who are typically required to wear a face covering or other PPE should continue to do so. This includes the requirement to wear surgical masks while working in chemical, biological, and radiological lab spaces.

Any employee seeking clarification on requirements in specific areas not identified here should contact their supervisor, who can provide guidance in coordination with GTHR. Building managers will work with building residents to identify areas where face coverings are required. Appropriate signage will be posted.

Face Coverings Required

Effective July 15, face coverings are required while inside campus facilities/buildings where six feet of social distancing may not always be possible. This currently includes but is not limited to: 

  • Classrooms
  • All laboratory spaces
    • Single-use surgical masks are required in lab spaces where chemical, biological, or radioactive agents are present. 
    • Cloth face coverings will be used in lab spaces that do not contain chemical, biological, or radioactive agents. 
  • Reception areas, waiting rooms, and lobbies
  • Elevators
  • Stairwells
  • Hallways and vestibules
  • Restrooms
  • Common areas
  • Meeting/Conference rooms
  • Shared workspaces
  • Copy rooms/supply closets
  • Open break rooms/shared kitchen spaces
  • All Institute vehicles (Facilities Management vehicles, campus buses, etc.)