Campus Health Measures Will Continue Following New CDC Guidance for Vaccinated People

Updated March 9, 2021

The University of Nebraska Omaha (UNO) continues to require masks, social distancing, and limited gatherings on campus, despite recent changes to the state's directed health measures.

Although masking and distancing policies remain in effect on the UNO and UNMC campuses, new guidance issued on March 8 by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) allows for some relaxation in restrictions at home. According to this new CDC guidance, people who are fully vaccinated can now safely gather indoors with other fully vaccinated people without wearing masks or social distancing. It is important to note that people are not considered fully vaccinated until two weeks after they have received the second shot of the Pfizer or Moderna vaccines (or two weeks after receiving the single-dose Johnson & Johnson vaccine).

Vaccinated people can also gather, unmasked, with people from another household who are not yet vaccinated, as long as those people are at low risk of serious illness from the virus. However, vaccinated people should continue to mask when they're in public (including on the UNO and UNMC campuses), avoid crowds and take other precautions when gathering with unvaccinated people who are at high risk of serious illness from COVID-19.

The new guidance also allows fully vaccinated individuals to forego testing and quarantining following a known COVID-19 exposure, as long as they are not experiencing symptoms. Again, the new guidance does NOT eliminate the need to continue masking and distancing on campus. Nor does it alter CDC guidance regarding quarantine and other measures to be taken after travel.

Mask Up, Mavs!

One of the most effective tools we have in the fight against COVID-19 is also one of the most readily available: face masks. As a reminder, all students, faculty, staff, and visitors are required to wear a face covering when on university property.

Learn More:

How to Obtain Face Coverings, Office Supplies

UNO's Interim Face Mask Policy

How to Care For Your Face Coverings

Visit the Maverick COVID Response Website

How to Obtain Face Coverings and Cleaning Supplies

For the Fall 2020 and Spring 2021 semesters, the University of Nebraska at Omaha (UNO) has made several personal protective equipment (PPE) and supply options available to slow the spread of COVID-19. 

• Face Masks
• Face Shields
• Hand Sanitizer and Sanitizing Wipes
• Ordering Additional Supplies
• How to Order or Print Signage

Face Masks

Two “Maverick Strong” reusable face masks have been provided to all UNO students, faculty, and staff.  Reusable masks should be put on, taken off, and cleaned in accordance with CDC guidelines. 

Students

All new and returning UNO students were able to pick up their Durango Days Welcome Bag and UNO face masks during Durango Days.

Faculty and Staff

Check your mailbox or with your office manager to collect your masks. Most face masks for faculty were delivered to department mailboxes across campus in late June.

New faculty and staff members will receive their masks along with their MavCARD, while supplies last. 

If you are a faculty or staff member who needs a mask and have not received your masks, are missing masks, or have any other questions related to the UNO-branded mask, please email unombscbizoffice@unomaha.edu.

Please be sure to include the following information in your email:

• Department
• Building
• Room Number
• Name of Individual(s)
• Role of Individual(s) (ex: employee, student worker, adjunct faculty, student, etc.)

Masks Available for Purchase

Members of the general public who would like a Maverick Strong mask can also purchase one from the UNO Bookstore.

Face Shields

UNO has purchased a limited number of face shields available for distribution to faculty and staff. Priority is given to in-person instructors and employees working in an open area. Those interested in obtaining a mask can complete a request form here.

Some departments and units have already placed bulk orders. Please check with your department or unit lead to ensure they did not already submit an order for your face shield.

If face shields are used without a mask, they should wrap around the sides of the wearer's face and extend to below the chin. Some people may choose to use a face shield instead of a mask when sustained close contact with other people is expected for short periods of time.

Hand Sanitizer and Sanitizing Wipes

Hand sanitizer stations are located in strategic locations across campus. These freestanding sanitizer stations are commonly located near building entrances and exits. Disinfecting wipes will be provided for classrooms and labs this fall.

UNO Custodial Services will refill these freestanding sanitizer stations and replace disinfecting wipes in classrooms as needed. Departments and units are responsible for ordering supplies through eSHOP for their areas.

If you purchase your own hand sanitizer, the CDC recommends checking the product label to make sure it contains at least 60% alcohol.

Disinfecting wipes have been provided for all classrooms and labs. Students should be prepared to wipe down their area before and after attending class.

Ordering Additional Supplies

To order now, please use eSHOP by using the form titled "COVID-19 Supplies Order Form." The goal is to fulfill orders as soon as possible. Due to high demand, there may be a delay in order fulfillment. 

To plan for the semester, please use the "COVID-19 Fall Planning Form" in eSHOP to estimate future campus departmental needs. This will help maintain inventory.

How to Order or Print Signage

Print signage materials are available for campus to print and display as needed. These materials include reminders on social distancing best practices; handwashing; cleaning and disinfecting areas such as lab spaces; and more. Signage provided will be updated as public health guidance and campus needs evolve.

Print signage can be printed on standard 8.5x11” paper (preferably in color for legibility).

Additional signage needs that can’t be printed in-house, such as floor and window decals, can be ordered through UNMC Printing Services. 

It is recommended that orders be placed at least two weeks in advance, though turnaround times can vary based on materials.

UNO's Interim Face Mask Policy

Any time you wear a face mask, you not only protect yourself from the virus, but critically, you are protecting those around you.

Put simply: When you wear a mask, you show that you care about other Mavericks in the UNO and Omaha communities. Seeing Mavericks on-campus and around the Omaha area wearing their Maverick Strong masks demonstrates that we are working together toward a common goal and looking out for those around us. 

Read the Full Policy Online

• What Constitutes a Face Covering
• Requesting Alternatives
• Wearing and Caring for One's Facial Covering
• Additional Protective Measures
• Compliance

What Constitutes a Face Covering

There are no universal design standards for facial coverings. However, the covering must extend from the bridge of the nose to below the chin.

• Reusable cloth facial coverings are acceptable, as are disposable paper masks.
• A face shield is an acceptable alternative only if the individual can maintain appropriate social distancing at all times.
• Regardless of the type used, a mask should not be designed with an exhalation valve.
• Neck ‘gaiters’ and bandanas are not acceptable substitutes for cloth masks and should not be used.

Requesting Alternatives

Individuals whose unique and individual circumstances require an alternative face covering, as indicated by a medical professional during patient care, may request one. To request an alternative, students should contact the UNO Accessibility Services Center.  Staff and faculty should contact UNO Human Resources.

Wearing and Caring for One's Facial Covering

Each individual is responsible to care for their own facial covering. Disposable facial coverings are to be discarded as ordinary refuse after a single day’s use. Reusable cloth facial coverings should be washed regularly. Reusable face shields should be cleaned thoroughly with soap and hot water after each day’s use. Facial coverings that are visibly soiled or in poor condition should not be used.

Additonal Protective Measures

This policy on facial coverings complements other important community and self-protection measures which are to be consistently practiced by all faculty, staff, students, and visitors. These measures include:

• Stay home if you are sick.
• Before coming to the UNO campus, self-monitor for any potential COVID-19 symptoms using evidence-based screening, such as the 1-Check COVID mobile app (on Android and iOS devices).
• Wash hands frequently throughout the day and should specifically do so after contacting high-risk surfaces such as sinks, toilet handles, doorknobs and the like.
• Refraining from touching the face, eyes, nose, and mouth.
• Practicing social distancing, by maintaining 6 feet of distance from others.
• Assist in environmental cleaning by promptly washing surfaces that might have been contaminated by bodily fluids (e.g., one should disinfect their desk if they happen to sneeze on it). If the ability of the individual to accomplish such cleaning is limited, contact environmental services personnel.

Compliance

Compliance with this policy is for the protection of those with whom you will be in contact when on campus.  Any employee, student or visitor who fails to abide by these guidelines may be asked or directed to leave the campus space.

Employees and students who are directed to leave a campus space for failure to comply with these guidelines may be taken off duty and/or subject to disciplinary action.  For non-emergency COVID-19 concerns, including compliance with the face covering policy, please report your concerns to the Behavioral Review Team using the Report Now link. 

How to Care For Your Face Coverings