Beginning Monday, Feb. 14, KN95 face masks are highly recommended but no longer required for faculty, staff and students who are on UNMC campuses.
Masks continue to be required in indoor spaces, but surgical masks will be allowed in lieu of KN95s. Cloth masks, gaiters, vented masks and bandanas still are not approved for use.
Lecturers should wear masks unless it significantly interferes with their ability to be heard or understood. If no mask is worn to optimize the learning environment, lecturers may use a face shield and must have at least six feet distance from others.
UNMC and Nebraska Medicine changed masking guidance mid-January to require KN95s as the highly transmissible omicron variant spread across communities.
Today, Nebraska Medicine announced plans to highly recommend but no longer require KN95 masks for colleagues in clinical areas, including students on rotation. UNMC’s mask guidance is being updated to align with Nebraska Medicine guidance, as well as the evolving nature of the COVID-19 pandemic. Colleges and institutes may continue to require KN95s as needed for their unique circumstances.
UNMC supervisors, managers or administrators may order disposable surgical/procedural masks via the UNMC Mask Request Form. Departments may continue to order KN95 masks through eSHOP using their own cost center.
Visitors and patients arriving on campus for appointments should continue to wear a surgical mask.