COVID-19 Guidelines

Avoid the crowd and mask proud!

Wearing Your Mask

  • Wear a cloth face cover when going out in public
  • When to Wear a Mask - 
  • Shopping at essential businesses, like grocery stores or pharmacies.
  • Picking up food from the drive-thru or curbside.
  • Visiting a health care provider,
  • Traveling on public transportation.
  • Interacting with customers, clients, or coworkers at essential businesses.
  • Performing essential services for state and local government agencies, such as laboratory testing, where close interactions with other people are unavoidable. 
  • When feeling sick, coughing, or sneezing.
  • Using materials available at home or buying materials online to avoid exposure in public places.
  • Purchasing masks made by small businesses, saving medical masks for health care workers and potentially helping the local economy.
  • Making masks from materials that will hold up to daily washing and drying. Wash and dry newly sewn masks before using them for the first time. 
  • Having more than one mask per person so they can be laundered daily. This will also be helpful if your mask becomes wet, damaged, or no longer fits and you need to replace it. 
  • Washing your hands with a sanitizer that contains 60 percent alcohol or soap and water before putting on a mask, immediately after removing it, or if you touch the mask while using it.
  • The mask should fit snugly around your mouth and nose. A metal wire sewn or built into the mask will help it conform to the bridge of your nose. 
  • Avoiding touching the mask while using it. If you do, wash your hands with soap and water or alcohol-based hand sanitizer.
  • There are relatively few studies of the effectiveness of masks made from homemade materials. Whether you use cotton fabrics, paper-based shop towels, or other materials, try to strike a balance between the materials you already have at home, how easy it will be to breathe while wearing the mask for extended periods away from home, and whether or not you would prefer to craft a new mask every day (paper) or wash and reuse your mask(s). 
  • Replace your mask when wet, damaged or it no longer fits your face. Masks should not be worn damp or when wet from spit or mucus.
  • Try to avoid touching the outer surface of the mask when removing it. Remove the mask by untying it or unfastening the ear loops. Place it in a bag or bin away from small children or pets until it can be laundered.

Washing Your Hands and "High Touch" Surfaces

  • Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, especially after going to the bathroom, before eating, and after blowing your nose, coughing or sneezing. If you don’t have soap or water, use an alcohol‐based hand sanitizer with at least 60 percent alcohol.
  • Clean and disinfect “high touch” surfaces often. High touch surfaces include counters, tabletops, doorknobs, bathroom fixtures, toilets, phones, keyboards, tables and bedside tables. Use a household cleaning spray or wipe, according to the label instructions. Labels contain instructions for safe and effective use of the cleaning product, including precautions you should take when applying the product, such as wearing gloves and making sure you have good ventilation during use of the product.

Important Personal Habits

  • Avoid touching your eyes, nose, or mouth with unwashed hands or after touching surfaces
  • Cover your mouth with a tissue or sleeve when coughing or sneezing 
  • Avoid contact with people who are sick

Stay 6ft Apart

  • ​Stay 6ft apart from others and avoid touching when greeting/communicating. 

Avoid the Crowds

  • Avoid public transit if possible and don’t travel to areas with active outbreaks.
  • Avoid shopping at peak hours and take advantage of delivery or pick‐up services with retailers.
  • Events with 1,000 or more people have been canceled. Community events with 250 or more recommended be canceled or postponed. Major sports events are canceled.

School and Work ​Habits

  • Consider suspending on campus classes, implementing web‐based learning and canceling large campus meetings and gatherings.
  • Cooperate with leadership to change company practices, set up flexible shift plans, have employees telecommute, and cancel large meetings or conferences.

For questions regarding the vaccine, what do to if you're exposed to COVID-19, and other frequently asked questions, please visit the COVID-19 FAQ page.