• Face Covering – A covering over one’s nose and mouth. A face covering can be disposable or made from reusable cloth material. A face covering does not necessarily provide additional protection for the wearer, but helps minimize the spread of COVID-19 to other people. It must be constructed of sufficient material to filter respiratory particles from exhaled air and may not have an exhalation valve. A face covering is not considered personal protective equipment (PPE).
• Face Shield – A piece of rigid, clear plastic attached to a headband that covers a person’s entire face, including eyes, nose, mouth and chin. A face shield is considered PPE because it protects the face and eyes from hazards such as splashes of hazardous materials, and flying objects. A face shield does not provide respiratory protection.
• Procedure Mask – A disposable face covering that meets ASTM Level 1 standards and is designed to protect both patients and clinical staff from the transfer of respiratory secretions, fluids or other debris. Procedure masks are used for general “respiratory etiquette“ to prevent clinicians, patients and visitors from spreading germs by talking, coughing, or sneezing. Procedure masks have ear loops for quick donning, and since they do not slide on the hair, they can be worn without a surgical cap. 
• Respirator – A device that covers and the nose and mouth or the entire face to protect the wearer from airborne hazards. Respirators are certified by the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) to provide the wearer a certain degree of protection from airborne hazards when fitted properly to the face and are considered PPE. The use of respirators at UVM, including N-95s, is regulated by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) and UVM’s Respiratory Protection Program.
• Surgical Mask – Similar to a procedure mask, but with ties that go around the head rather than ear loops and meets ASTTM level 3 standards. For the purpose of UVM non-clinical COVID guidance, the use of the term surgical mask should refer to procedure masks.

In order to comply with this guidance, your face covering must meet or exceed the CDC Face Coverings Guidance:

• Completely cover your nose and mouth, and fit snugly and comfortably around your face leaving no gaps;
• Allow you to breathe normally without restriction, and NOT have any valves that allow exhaled air through the face covering without being filtered; and
• Be constructed of at least 2 layers of cloth and/or filtering material of sufficient weave and/or thickness to remove respiratory droplets from exhaled air.

How to Use a Face Covering

In most settings at UVM, employees and students are expected to wear cloth face coverings that meet CDC guidelines. UVM is providing a limited supply of cloth face coverings to employees and students.

• Face coverings must, at a minimum, follow the CDC Use of Cloth Face Coverings Guidance.
  • Completely cover your nose and mouth, and fit snugly and comfortably around your face leaving no gaps;
  • Allow you to breathe normally without restriction, and NOT have any valves that allow exhaled air through the face covering without being filtered; and
  • Be constructed of at least 2 layers of cloth and/or filtering material of sufficient weave and/or thickness to remove respiratory droplets from exhaled air.
• UVM will provide all employees working on campus with 3 reusable cloth face coverings. Face coverings must be picked up at the Davis Center with your UVM CatCard.
• Employees may also purchase their own cloth face coverings or make them at home by following CDC guidance. 
• Cloth face coverings must be laundered at home after use.
• Cloth face coverings do not provide eye protection

A neck-gaiter is not acceptable for use as a face covering unless it meets all criteria. If your neck gaiters is not constructed of at least 2 layers of cloth and/or filtering material of sufficient weave and/or thickness to remove respiratory droplets from exhaled air, then it cannot be used as a face covering.  Check to see if it passes the “rule of thumb test,” i.e., when stretched as it would be when worn, you cannot see your thumb on the other side of the material.

Bandanas that are folded over once and tied around the head do not fit snugly enough to be used as face coverings.

These are appropriate for situations where additional protection is available, such as in clinical settings, academic labs, mentoring, and other situations where physical distancing is not an option, or other risks are elevated. These situations must be fully assessed rather than relying only on this piece of equipment.

• UVM Department Safety/Logistics officers may request surgical-style masks for personnel through UVM Materials Management COVID-19 Central Warehouse.
• These masks are disposable and should not be laundered.
• They should be thrown away after use or if they become wet, dirty, or damaged.
• These do not provide eye protection.
• Procedure masks with transparent panels are available.

Transparent face coverings are designed to allow for people to show mouth and lip movements while maintaining COVID-19 protections. These may be useful for teaching language, conveying emotion, or facilitating communications with people who read lips. Transparent face-covering options and their acceptance for use in UVM facilities are listed in the table below. The efficacy, use, and care of these face coverings is specific to the manufacturer.

For maximum effectiveness when using a transparent face covering:

• Ensure that breathing is not restricted and that vents do not allow for direct expulsion of respiratory droplets.
• Follow manufacturer’s guidelines for laundering and cleaning.

These do not provide eye protection.

Face shields do not meet the requirements of face coverings, and cannot be worn for COVID-19 protection except as a supplement to a face covering.

Face shields may be worn over a procedure mask or respirator in clinical, laboratory, mentoring, and similar settings where people cannot maintain 6 feet or more of distance for an extended period of time.

When face shields are worn, the shield must extend from forehead to below the chin and wrap around the side of face to the ears.

Reusable face shield should be disinfected after use. Please check the manufacturer’s instructions for your face shield on proper cleaning or disposal guidelines.

• These are available for purchase at home improvement or hardware stores.
• Dust or paper masks are disposable and should not be laundered.
• They should be thrown away after use or if they become wet, dirty, or damaged.
• These do not provide eye protection.

• N-95 respirators are reserved for medical personnel, first responders, and UVM personnel performing jobs that involve other particulate hazards such as asbestos or lead paint.
• N-95 respirators carry the NIOSH N95 stamp. Please note that KN-95 is a non-U.S. certification and KN-95 devices cannot be substituted for N-95 respirators. See NIOSH guidance on counterfeit respirators.
• Contact UVM Occupational Health Program if you have any questions about wearing N-95s at work: ohealth@uvm.edu
• These do not provide eye protection.

Any employee or student who is not able to wear a cloth or disposable face covering for medical reasons may request to be considered for a reasonable accommodation to use a face covering alternative. UVM anticipates no accommodation that allows a UVM employee, student, or community member to be present at UVM facilities or activities in the presence of other people without a face covering, unless they meet one of the exemptions from VDH/CDC listed above.

Employees and students may also request to be considered for additional respiratory protection due to a medical condition.

Employees should contact the UVM ADA Coordinator in Human Resource Services at accessibility@uvm.edu  or 802-656-0945 to request accommodations. Students should contact Student Accessibility Services at access@uvm.edu or 802-656-7753.