COVID-19 Recommendations and FAQ

Upon review of evolving public health realities and recommendations, and in consultation with UNO leaders and health experts, we are providing updated COVID-19 guidance and reminders aimed at keeping our campus safe and healthy as we begin the new academic year.

Food at Gatherings and Events (Updated Nov. 4, 2021)

Effective immediately, food may be served at events under the following guidelines:

All food served on campus must be furnished by UNO Food Services & Catering due to health safety concerns. Exception(s) to this policy must be requested by completing the online application for an exception. This policy relates to the entire campus with the exceptions of the Alumni Center, Maverick Landing, Scott Conference Center, Baxter Arena, and Student Housing.

1. Regardless of location (on or off campus), food needs to be furnished by a caterer or local qualified food service establishment.

2. The venue space must be large enough to accommodate 6 feet of distance between persons eating.

3. People must be stationary while consuming food.

4. Hand sanitizer should be placed on all tables where food consumption is occurring.

5. No potlucks allowed.

6. Food must be plated, served buffet food and/or individually wrapped items:

• Plated or served buffet food must have food servers wearing appropriate PPE including gloves and face coverings.

• Organizations should provide a server for food distribution (e.g. large pizza) and the server should be masked, gloved, and there should be one person for food distribution.

• All beverages are single serve bottled or individually pre-portioned by a caterer. Exception is coffee service. This should be distributed on-site by a single individual that is gloved and masked during service.

It is encouraged wherever possible to maintain the size/capacity of events, perhaps by separating programming from food service so the programming can occur at a larger capacity while the food service occurs in a larger space to accommodate 6 ft distancing. Alternatively, the event could be held in a larger venue to accommodate 6 ft distancing for dining.

Additional Reminders:

• Regardless of location on or off campus, all university policy/guidance applies

• Event space must be large enough to accommodate 6 feet of social distancing while participants are eating in a stationary setting

• Masks and hand sanitizer must be available at all events

Face Masks

To preserve our in-person learning opportunities and out of abundance of care for the community, effective Wednesday, Aug. 25, at 6 A.M., out of an abundance of caution, all University of Nebraska at Omaha students, faculty, staff, and visitors are required to wear masks indoors due to an increase in the regional transmission of COVID-19 in the Omaha community and recommendations from the UNO Office of Health Security.

Exceptions include:

• Mask usage is not required outdoors at this time.

• When eating (6 ft social distancing must be observed)

• When alone in a room with a closed door

• When in a motor vehicle alone or only with members of your household

• When in your UNO campus housing unit

• When pertaining to children under the age of two years

• Individuals can work unmasked in office cubicle space so long as 6 ft distancing can be provided between personnel and/or visitors.

Face masks must be used in all other indoor settings on campus, even in situations where individuals remain more than six feet away.

Events and Gatherings

All gatherings (e.g. events, meetings, productions, etc.) on or off campus with 25 or more people will require senior administration approval.

An online process will continue to be used to request approval. Please use the forms to request approval based on the relevant unit. A detailed safety plan is required for all in-person events with 25 or more participants.

At indoor gatherings individuals are required to wear a mask. Every space on campus will have a distancing protocol that should be followed based on set-up and usage:

• 3-foot distancing can be applied to classroom/ stationary events and gatherings.

• 6-foot distancing should be followed for social gatherings or those that include food.

All events in-person involving youth will require approval. Event coordinators should reach out to the Office of Youth Safety prior to submitting an event for consideration to complete a safety review. These events must be approved through the associated Senior Vice Chancellor or Vice Chancellor, and the Office of Health Security.

Frequently Asked Questions

Questions not answered in the FAQ below can be submitted to contact@unomaha.edu.