Facial Coverings

Facial coverings both indoors and outdoors are optional for members of our community who are up-to-date with respect to COVID-19 vaccinations (meaning fully vaccinated and boosted when eligible). Those who are not up-to-date on vaccinations must continue to follow mitigation measures, including wearing facial coverings while indoors.

There are several circumstances in which individuals will still be required to wear a high-quality, well-fitting facial covering indoors, regardless of vaccination status:

• Anyone who has tested positive (wear for at least three days following the seven days of isolation).
• Anyone who has been a close contact of a positive case within 10 days of exposure.
• Anyone visiting or working at Tartan Testing or University Health Services.
• Anyone in a university child care setting, including the Cyert Center for Early Education and The Children’s School.

If you cannot wear a facial covering due to a medical condition, please contact either the Office of Disability Resources (students) or HR Disability Services (employees) to request an exemption.

High-quality, well-fitting facial coverings, including KN95 masks are available at no cost to students, faculty and staff. To request a facial covering, please email fixit@andrew.cmu.edu. In compliance with the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) and the university’s Respiratory Protection Program, we are unable to distribute N95 masks.

Additional information regarding facial coverings is available here: Your Guide to Masks | CDC

Disposable Facial Coverings Available Throughout Campus

• KN95 masks are available in vending machines at several locations on campus. 
• The three-layered, disposable facial coverings available throughout campus are high quality, latex free and contain elastic ear loops.
  
  They are available at Wean Hall, Scott Hall, Roberts Engineering Hall, Robert Mehrabian CIC, Newell-Simon Hall, Hamerschlag Hall, Hunt Library, CUC, Gates and Hillman Centers, Tepper School of Business, Doherty Hall, Warner Hall, College of Fine Arts, Hamburg Hall, Margaret Morrison Carnegie Hall, ANSYS Hall, Purnell Center for the Arts, Smith Hall, TCS Hall, Posner Center, FMS Building, Skibo Gym, Baker-Porter Hall, HOA/Posner, Cyert Hall, Pittsburgh Technology Center, Mellon Institute, all Dining locations, Software Engineering Institute, 4612 and 4615 Forbes Avenue, 4516, 4618 and 4620 Henry Street; Whitfield Hall, 205, 300, 311, 319 and 407-409 South Craig Street; 4609 Winthrop Street, 4721 Fifth Avenue and 477 Melwood Avenue.

Examples of Inadequate Facial Coverings

Facial coverings that are not considered high-quality, well-fitting include:

• Masks with exhalation valves 
• Bandanas
• Gaiters
• Scarves
• Ski masks
• Balaclavas