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| − | Policy 302.8 | + | Policy 302.8 (Retired) |
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| − | == Introduction ==
| + | Authority rests with the Director of Environmental Health and Safety and Emergency Management Office to manage the Appalachian State University response to COVID-19, as provided in Policy 302.1. (https://policy.appstate.edu/Emergency_Management_Program). For more information regarding Appalachian State University COVID-19 response, rules and regulations please see: https://www.appstate.edu/go/coronavirus. |
| − | 1.1 The purpose of this policy is to provide instruction and direction to the Appalachian State
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| − | University (“Appalachian”) community on wearing face coverings to assist in preventing the | + | |
| − | spread of Coronavirus Disease 2019 (“COVID-19”).
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| − | | + | |
| − | == Scope ==
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| − | 2.1 This policy applies to all university faculty, staff, students and visitors while on University property,
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| − | including but not limited to academic buildings, administrative buildings, support buildings,
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| − | entertainment venues, and other University grounds.
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| − | | + | |
| − | 2.2 This policy does not apply to private living spaces within residential halls, but does apply to
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| − | common areas such as lobbies.
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| − | | + | |
| − | == Definitions ==
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| − | === Face Covering ===
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| − | A surgical mask or other non-reusable mask approved by the U.S. Food and
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| − | Drug Administration, as well as any other cloth face coverings or other reusable Universityapproved substitute that covers the nose and mouth of an individual wearing the covering. The
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| − | purpose of a face covering is to reduce the spread of the user’s germs and may not offer
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| − | protection to the user from exposure to environmental hazards, including but not limited to
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| − | COVID-19. | + | |
| − | | + | |
| − | === Social Distancing ===
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| − | Maintaining a physical distance of six (6) feet or greater from another
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| − | individual and avoiding direct contact with others during the COVID-19 pandemic to minimize
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| − | exposure and reduce transmission of the disease.
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| − | | + | |
| − | === Employee ===
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| − | For the purposes of this policy, the term employee includes all employment positions, including but not limited to faculty, staff, part-time, and temporary positions, that are receiving financial compensation from Appalachian.
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| − | | + | |
| − | == Policy and Procedure Statements ==
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| − | === Face Covering Requirements ===
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| − | 4.1.1 Face Coverings shall be worn at all times that Social Distancing cannot be maintained and guaranteed, subject to
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| − | Section 4.1.2. Face Coverings are not a replacement for Social Distancing. Social Distancing
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| − | must be practiced whenever possible.
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| − | | + | |
| − | 4.1.2 Regardless of whether Social Distancing can be maintained and guaranteed, Face Coverings shall be worn at all
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| − | times in classrooms, conference rooms, meeting rooms, elevators, research laboratory spaces,
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| − | and any other instructional areas. For exceptions to this requirement, please see Section 4.2 –
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| − | Face Covering Exceptions.
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| − | 4.1.3 All individuals subject to this policy may wear self-supplied Face Coverings. In instances where an individual
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| − | does not have a self-supplied Face Covering the University will supply the
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| − | individual with a Face Covering.
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| − | 4.1.4 Face Coverings that cover the entire face, including the eyes, shall not be worn, unless
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| − | otherwise permitted in Section 4.2.3.
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| − | | + | |
| − | === Face Covering Exceptions ===
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| − | 4.2.1 Employees requesting a modification under this policy because of a high-risk health factor
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| − | or other related circumstance must complete the [https://node-prd-risk.appstate.edu High-Risk Consideration form].
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| − | 4.2.2 Students requesting a modification under this policy because of a high-risk health factor or
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| − | other related circumstance should contact the Office of Disability Resources for assistance.
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| − | 4.2.3 Face Coverings are not required to be worn in situations where the Face Covering presents
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| − | a safety hazard or other specialized personal protective equipment that covers the nose and
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| − | mouth is required. Furthermore, Face Coverings are not a substitute for respiratory protection. In
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| − | situations where a respiratory device is required, then personal protective equipment must be
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| − | worn as determined by the Office of Environmental Health, Safety, and Emergency Management (“EHS&EM”) in collaboration with a supervisor and other University officials.
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| − | 4.2.4 Face Coverings are not required to be worn in instances: (a) where a student-athlete is
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| − | engaging in practice or competition for their designated sport, or (b) where any individual is engaging in other recreational
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| − | indoor or outdoor activities (e.g., running, jogging, rock climbing, or other related physical activities)
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| − | on University property.
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| − | Notwithstanding, upon the completion of participation in the sport or other recreational activity, all individuals covered
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| − | under this policy must as promptly as possible adhere to the requirements of Section 4.1 – Face
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| − | Covering Requirements. Furthermore, Social Distancing should be practiced whenever feasible
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| − | while engaging in these activities.
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| − | | + | |
| − | 4.2.5 Face Coverings are not required to be worn by a speaker in a large group gathering (e.g.,
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| − | speaker at convocation or the Chancellor speaking at an engagement), if there is a barrier
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| − | between the speaker and the group of individuals they are addressing (i.e., a transparent shield or
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| − | other transparent partition designed to prevent the transmission of respiratory droplets between a
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| − | speaker and the audience).
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| − | 4.2.6 Anyone conducting a classroom lecture or presentation is permitted to not wear a Face Covering
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| − | during their lecture or presentation, as long as: (a) the individual maintains a physical distance of ten (10) feet or
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| − | greater from another individual, or (b) there is a barrier between the speaker and the group of individuals they are addressing (i.e., a transparent shield or other transparent partition designed to prevent the transmission of respiratory droplets between a speaker and the audience).
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| − | | + | |
| − | === Administration ===
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| − | 4.3.1 The Director of EHS&EM is responsible for the creation and implementation of guidelines and
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| − | minimal requirements for this policy. Questions pertaining to this policy may be directed to
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| − | EHS&EM.
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| − | | + | |
| − | === Enforcement ===
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| − | 4.4.1 Appalachian will enforce violations of this policy in accordance with applicable federal and
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| − | state law, UNC System policies, and institutional policies. Violations of this policy, including
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| − | but not limited to not adhering to Social Distancing Practices or Face Covering requirements,
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| − | may result in grounds for disciplinary action, up to and including termination or expulsion.
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| − | == Additional References ==
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| − | [[https://www.appstate.edu/recovery/return-to-work/ Appalachian’s Returning to Work Safely Guidelines]]
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| − | [[https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/prevent-getting-sick/how-to-wear-cloth-face-coverings.html CDC Guidance: How to Wear Cloth Face Coverings]]
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| − | [[https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/prevent-getting-sick/how-to-wash-cloth-face-coverings.html CDC Guidance: How to Wash Cloth Face Coverings]]
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| − | | + | |
| − | == Authority ==
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| − | N.C. Gen. Stat. § 14-12.8
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| − | | + | |
| − | UNC System Policy 300.2.15
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| − | | + | |
| − | == Contact Information ==
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| − | Environmental Health, Safety and Emergency Management - 828.262.4008
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| − | | + | |
| − | == Original Effective Date ==
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| − | June 19, 2020
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| − | | + | |
| − | == Revision Dates ==
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| − | September 9, 2020
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Authority rests with the Director of Environmental Health and Safety and Emergency Management Office to manage the Appalachian State University response to COVID-19, as provided in Policy 302.1. (https://policy.appstate.edu/Emergency_Management_Program). For more information regarding Appalachian State University COVID-19 response, rules and regulations please see: https://www.appstate.edu/go/coronavirus.
