The University of South Florida requires students, faculty, staff and visitors to wear face coverings inside university facilities on campus including, but not limited to, classrooms, conference rooms, shared work spaces, academic and administrative buildings, lobbies and lounge areas, research facilities, residence halls, student unions, performance spaces, retail spaces, museums, libraries and dining facilities. Anyone using a dining facility should cover their face until they sit down to eat and then put the face covering back on immediately after.
Face coverings are required when moving through shared spaces (lobbies, elevators, stairwells, lounges, etc.), when using campus public transportation and while inside university vehicles or golf carts if more than one person is present.
Face coverings may be removed when inside of a private building space, such as a single use, completely enclosed office or residence hall room. Based on the latest research that suggests the coronavirus can travel through the air and transfer from person to person, face coverings should be worn in cubicles even if they are spaced at least six feet apart and have vertical barriers in place between workstations.
USF requires wearing face coverings in outdoor public spaces on campus when in the presence of others.
The Centers for Disease Control recommends the following for properly wearing a face covering:
- Wash your hands before putting on your face covering
- Put it over your nose and mouth and secure it under your chin
- Try to fit it snugly against the sides of your face
- Make sure you can breathe easily
Any individuals who fail to comply with these requirements may face consequences, starting with removal from the class, workspace or activity until university guidance is followed.
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Students, faculty and staff who have medical issues that may make wearing face coverings difficult should contact Dr. Joseph Puccio at USF Student Health Services: jpuccio@usf.edu.
- Children under age 2 are exempt.
- Both washable cloth and disposable face coverings are acceptable, as long as the employee is not in an area or performing a task in which a higher level of Personal Protection Equipment is required.