Here are the basic hygiene guidelines that all campus community members should follow as we begin a new academic year. Following these guidelines will be crucial in our ability to operate the university in a way that safeguards the health of everyone.

• Wear a face covering: Homemade and purchased cloth face coverings and disposable face coverings are acceptable and should be worn whenever inside buildings and outside when 6-feet of physical distancing is not possible. The covering should fully cover your mouth and nose and fit snugly against your face without gaps.

• Wash cloth face coverings: Cloth face coverings should be washed after every use using regular detergent and the warmest appropriate water setting. Disposable masks should only be used for one day and placed in the trash after use.

• Avoid close contact: Avoid close contact with people who are sick. In campus buildings, maintain 6-feet of physical distance (about two arm lengths) between you and other people.

• Wash your hands often: Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, especially after you have been in a public place or after blowing your nose, coughing, sneezing and touching your face. If soap and water are not available, use hand sanitizer. Cover all surfaces of your hands and rub them together until they feel dry. Avoid touching your face, eyes, nose and mouth with unwashed hands.

• Cover your mouth and nose when coughing/sneezing: Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue or, if you don’t have a tissue, the inside of your elbow when coughing or sneezing. Used tissues should be disposed of in the trash. You should immediately wash your hands or exposed elbow with soap and water for at least 20 seconds or clean your hands with a hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol.

• Clean and disinfect frequently touched surfaces and objects daily: Wipe down tables, workstations, doorknobs, light switches, countertops, handles, desks, telephones and cell phones, keyboards, etc. Items such as keyboards and mice can be sanitized with 70% alcohol wipes to avoid damaging electronics.

• Avoid using someone else’s equipment. Don’t use other individuals’ phones, desks, offices or other work tools and equipment, when possible. Clean and disinfect them before and after use.

• Monitor your health daily: Watch for fever, cough, shortness of breath or other symptoms of COVID-19. Take your temperature if you develop symptoms, which include fever, chills, new or worsening chronic cough, runny nose, sore throat, new loss of taste or smell, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, fatigue, headache, muscle/body aches, or difficulty breathing/shortness of breath.