Non-Medical masks recommended on campus

Effective Sept. 8, the university is recommending that everyone wear a mask in public indoor spaces on campus such as hallways, stairways, building entryways and other high-traffic areas where physical distancing can’t be maintained for longer than brief periods. In classrooms, keep your mask on until you are seated in a designated seat and please wear your mask as you enter/exit the classroom.

Even when wearing a mask, please continue to observe physical distancing as much as possible, as a mask is not a substitute for physical distancing. For those who are not able to wear a mask for medical or other reasons, please be especially careful to maintain a safe distance.

For all other workplace or campus situations, unless the use of masks is specifically required by the safety plan for that service, class or workplace, wearing a non-medical mask is a matter of personal choice and may help to protect others.  Students are encouraged to read the safety plan for their classroom posted on our OHSE website for more information about the safety protocols for that class, including the use of non-medical masks.

Distribution of UVic-branded reusable face masks will be available for each on-campus student, faculty and staff member. Students moving into residence will be provided a mask during move-in. Starting Sept. 7, other on-campus students must bring their ONECard to the ONECard office in the University Centre to receive their mask, while faculty and staff can do the same at the ONECard office beginning Sept. 14. Distribution will continue through September and October.

For more information on mask distribution visit the ONECard office website.

For more information on the use of non-medical masks, please visit the OHSE COVID-19 website. 

The university’s COVID-19 website will continue to be regularly updated with information for students, faculty and staff.