Lang
10/16/20
The University of Iowa has revised its face-covering policy to remove gaiters and face shields as acceptable personal protective equipment.
According to the university’s Friday COVID-19 update, the Centers for Disease Control has cautioned that the effectiveness of gaiters and face shields is unknown at this time, leading to the policy change.
Effective Friday, Oct. 23rd, the university will no longer allow gaiters or face shields (when worn without a mask) as appropriate face coverings.
Students, faculty, staff, and visitors are required to wear face masks in all university buildings, including classrooms, unless alone in a private office or a residence hall room. Masks should be worn outside when social distancing is not possible.
Appropriate face coverings now include only cloth and disposable masks.
The UI says students, faculty, and staff may wear face shields for additional protection as long as they are worn with a face mask.
The school notes instructors may wear a face shield in certain situations where instruction requires an unobstructed view of faces and in situations requiring student accommodations. In these instances, instructors will need to maintain a minimum distance of six feet from those they are instructing.
UI Health Care has separate face covering guidelines due to patient care. Those guidelines can be found here.
