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. This guidance is for the summer 2020 semester. Guidance for fall semester will be forthcoming.

Why Should You Wear a Face Covering?

All employees are strongly encouraged to wear a cloth face covering on campus. Cloth face coverings are important in preventing transmission from asymptomatic individuals who have Covid-19. 

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

Face coverings are required in the following general campus locations where social distancing is difficult to consistently maintain:

  • 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 work space
  • Copy rooms/supply closets
  • Open break rooms/shared kitchen spaces
  • All Institute vehicles (Facilities Management vehicles, campus buses, etc.)

Face Coverings Encouraged, Not Required

  • Individual office (when alone)
  • Individual cubicle (when alone)
  • Indoor and outdoor spaces where social distance can be consistently maintained