Skip To Main Content
Site Name Here
MenuSearchA-ZSeven Schools One UniversitySeven Schools One University

Menu

  • Give
  • Apply
  • Visit
Close Menu
About
  • Administrative Offices
  • Campus Maps
  • Core Values
  • Fast Facts
  • Travel and International Services
  • Other USM Schools
  • Policies and Procedures
  • Strategic Plan
  • Sustainability
  • Middle States
  • MPowering the State
  • News
  • University Leadership
  • UMB Experts Guide
Academics
  • Academic Calendar
  • Academy of Lifelong Learning
  • Blackboard
  • Libraries
  • Office of the Provost
  • SURFS
  • UMB Program Explorer
Admissions
  • Financial Aid
  • International Students
  • Military and Veterans
  • Office of the Registrar
Research
  • Breakthroughs Can’t Wait
  • Offices and Contacts
  • Resources for Investigators
  • Services for Investigators
  • UMB Research Profile
University Life
  • Arts and Culture
  • Bookstore
  • Emergency
  • Housing
  • Museums
  • Parking and Transportation Services
  • Rooms Available on Campus
  • SMC Campus Center
  • Student Organizations
  • Student Policies
  • URecFit and Wellness
  • UMB shuttle
  • Welcome to Baltimore
  • One Card
Info For
  • Current Students
  • Faculty and Staff
  • Alumni and Donors
  • Community Members
Resources
  • The Elm
  • Calendar
  • myUMB
  • Directory
  • Blackboard
  • SURFS
  • Emergency
  • UMB Shuttle
Seven Schools One University

Search

Close Menu
Common Searched Terms
  • Graduation 2025
  • Campus Tour
  • Jobs at UMB
  • Parking
  • Tuition Remission
  • Registrar
  • Qualtrics
  • Human Resources
  • URecFit and Wellness
  • Tuition
  • Help Desk

A–Z

Close Menu
    Office of the President

    2019-2020

    1. UMB Home
    2. About UMB
    3. Administrative Offices
    4. Office of the President
    5. Messages and News
    6. Letters to the UMB Community
    7. Letters Archives
    8. 2019-2020
    • UMB HomeAbout UMBAdministrative OfficesOffice of the PresidentMessages and NewsLetters to the UMB CommunityLetters Archives2019-2020

    UMB Guidance on the Use of Non-Medical Cloth Face Coverings

    April 6, 2020

    Dear Colleagues:

    On April 3, 2020, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) released a voluntary Recommendation Regarding the Use of Cloth Face Coverings, Especially in Areas of Significant Community-Based Transmission. CDC "recommends wearing cloth face coverings in public settings where other social distancing measures are difficult to maintain (e.g., grocery stores and pharmacies) especially in areas of significant community-based transmission."

    CDC emphasizes that the use of cloth face coverings complements existing guidelines and does NOT change the need to follow social distancing and hand-washing guidance. As such, the University of Maryland, Baltimore (UMB) is adopting the CDC recommendation into its COVID-19 Social Distancing Guidelines.

    For situations where it is NOT feasible to maintain at least 6 feet of social distancing, cloth face coverings should be worn. Cloth face coverings are NOT intended to protect the individual wearing the cover and should not be considered personal protective equipment (PPE). Instead, cloth face coverings are intended to reduce the spread of the virus from people who may be carrying the virus but are not currently exhibiting symptoms. Therefore, cloth face coverings are intended ONLY to prevent a person carrying the disease from spreading the virus to other people when interacting in close proximity (e.g., speaking, coughing, or sneezing). The Pennsylvania Department of Health provides a summary of the difference between N95 respirators, surgical masks, and cloth face coverings in the following document: Understanding the Difference: Homemade Masks.

    UMB is working with vendors to acquire cloth face coverings. When available, UMB aims to strategically distribute two cloth face coverings to UMB essential personnel working on campus who work in areas where social distancing is impractical or where they have interactions with customers or members of the public. Providing these masks is intended to give essential employees an initial supply of masks - one to wear while a second one is being laundered. Employees are free to use their own personal cloth masks as well, and employees who are able to make or provide their own masks are encouraged to do so. Contractors working on campus should issue similar guidance about cloth face coverings to their employees when social distancing is not feasible, and contractors should make efforts to ensure employees have cloth face coverings or have the ability to make/obtain cloth face coverings.

    UMB personnel can make their own cloth face coverings by following the directions of this CDC tutorial: How to Make Your Own Face Covering.

    At UMB, you should wear a cloth face covering when performing a non-health care activity for which social distancing cannot be maintained. Examples include:

    • Work activities that require two or more people to complete for which they must come within 6 feet of contact to perform the task
    • Interactions with customers in which social distancing is not feasible
    • Using public transportation to get to work

    When using a cloth face covering, you should follow these guidelines:

    • Clean your hands with an alcohol-based hand rub or soap and water before putting on a cloth face covering.
    • Ensure the cloth face covering fits snugly around your mouth and nose.
    • Avoid touching the cloth face covering while using it; if you do touch it, wash your hands with soap and water or an alcohol-based hand rub.
    • Do not wear a cloth face covering when it is damp or when wet from spit or mucus.
    • When removing the cloth face covering, remove it from behind, do not touch the front of the cloth face covering.
    • Immediately wash your hands with soap and water for 20 seconds after removing the cloth face covering.
    • It is a good idea to wash your cloth face covering frequently, ideally at the end of each day. Put your cloth face coverings in a bag or a bin until they can be hand- or machine-washed with detergent and hot water and dried on a hot cycle or hung to dry in a safe place. If you must re-wear your cloth face covering before washing, wash your hands immediately after putting it back on and avoid touching your face. Discard cloth face coverings that:
      • No longer cover the nose and mouth
      • Have stretched-out or damaged ties or straps
      • Cannot stay on the face
      • Have holes or tears in the fabric

    CDC advises that surgical masks, N95s, and KN95s are critical supplies that must continue to be reserved for health care workers and other medical first responders.

    To comply with CDC recommendations and ensure that appropriate PPE is available to those who need it most, UMB will only provide surgical masks, N95s, or KN95s to health care workers or first responders. Limited exceptions may be made in cases where an identified high-probability hazard exists and the operation directly supports the continuity of health care, public safety, or essential research.

    If your UMB duties require you to enter a University of Maryland Medical System (UMMS) facility, please be aware of UMMS' new policy regarding face masks.

    These guidelines will change as CDC and other officials update their recommendations.

    Sincerely,

    Bruce E. Jarrell, MD, FACS
    Interim President


    • Back to 2019-2020

    Contact

    Office of the President

    220 Arch St.
    Fourteenth Floor
    Baltimore, MD 21201

    410-706-7004
    Facebook X instagram YouTube

    Related Information

    Core Values University Leadership
    University of Maryland Baltimore

    The University of Maryland, Baltimore is the founding campus of the University System of Maryland.

    620 W. Lexington St., Baltimore, MD
    21201 | 410-706-3100

    • The Elm
    • Calendar
    • Emergency
    • Mobile UMB
    • UMB Shuttle
    • myUMB
    • Directory
    • IT Help Desk
    • Facilities Work Request
    • Jobs
    • Middle States
    • Strategic Plan
    • Sustainability
    • Clery Report
    • UMB Hotline
    • Facebook
    • Twitter
    • Instagram
    • LinkedIn
    • YouTube
    The University of Maryland, Baltimore prohibits sex discrimination in any education program or activity that it operates. Individuals may report concerns or questions to the Title IX Coordinator. Read the UMB Notice of Non-Discrimination.
    © 2024-2025 University of Maryland, Baltimore. All rights reserved.
    • Privacy Policy
    • Web Accessibility
    • Web Feedback
    • Non-Discrimination