Updated September 27, 2022

UCSF's policies may change to comply with local, state and federal guidelines. Please see the charts below for masking when in campus and UCSF Health buildings.

• Masks are strongly recommended but no longer required in some indoor spaces on campus, however, masks are still mandatory in high-risk settings, such as hospitals, clinics, elevators and campus shuttles. 
• Masking is required, and food and beverage is not allowed in classroom meetings for credit-bearing courses that are part of the curriculum within any of the schools.
• Unvaccinated personnel with exceptions must always wear masks and comply with other non-pharmaceutical interventions.
• Anyone with a recent high-risk exposure to COVID-19 must always wear masks and comply with other non-pharmaceutical interventions.
• Wearing masks outdoors is optional, but strongly recommended for those who are not fully vaccinated in situations where they will be in sustained close contact with others.
• Please respect and support everyone’s individual decisions, including those who choose to continue wearing a mask.
• Wearing a mask helps protect others in our community who may be immunocompromised or at greater risk for serious illness.
• Masks differ in the degree of protection they provide. N95 respirators provide the highest level of protection, followed by K-95, surgical masks, and Cal OSHA-accepted cloth masks.
• For campus employees, orders of N95 masks can be placed through the BearBuy store at no cost to your department and may be obtained at campus security desk locations for voluntary use.

UCSF Campus Buildings – Face Covering Guidelines 

UCSF Health Buildings – Masking Guidelines 

EMPLOYEES AND LEARNERS CAN EAT, DRINK, OR MEET USING THE FOLLOWING GUIDELINES 

Safe distancing is defined as  being greater than six feet apart from others when feasible 

(a) Mask can be removed to eat / drink as long as safe distancing (greater than 6 feet) from others as much as feasible is maintained. 

*Per Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, California Department of Public Health and Cal OSHA, up-to-date vaccination status is defined as meeting criteria described below in A or B: 

A. COMPLETED an initial FDA- or WHO-approved two-dose vaccination series > 5 months ago (or one-dose J&J > 2 months ago) and you have RECEIVED your booster. 

B. COMPLETED an initial FDA- or WHO-approved two-dose vaccination series < 5 months ago (or one-dose J&J < 2 months ago), and > 14 days since you completed your vaccination series (i.e., NOT YET booster eligible). 

**In patient care areas where patients and visitors can be present, all employees (regardless of vaccination status) are expected to physically distance greater than six (6) feet, or as much as possible, from other persons, as able in their usual workflow. 

For testing questions, contact the COVID hotlines: 

• UCSF Employees call (415) 514-7328 
• UCSF Students call (415) 476-8736 or online at Occupational Health

Direct questions to: [email protected] 

UCSF Health Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Do I still need to wear a mask?

• Up-to-date* vaccination status or vaccinated employees must wear a UCSF Health-provided medical mask for all areas within health buildings. 
• NOT up-to-date vaccination status or unvaccinated (defined as anyone who is not fully vaccinated) employees must wear a medical mask in all indoor locations on UCSF property, including UCSF-owned vehicles/shuttles/vanpools. Employees who are granted exemptions to the UC COVID-19 vaccine policy by Human Resources are considered unvaccinated or NOT up-to-date on vaccination status. 
• For all areas within health buildings, a UCSF Health-issued medical mask must be worn. 
• A request can be made to the employee’s supervisor to be provided with an N95 respirator for voluntary use
• It is also recommended, but not required, that unvaccinated employees wear a mask outdoors anywhere on UCSF property when within 6-feet of another person. 

Q: Which mask should I wear in indoor clinical areas and what is strongly recommended for direct patient care? 

You must wear at least a UCSF Health-issued medical mask when in indoor clinical areas. You are strongly recommended to wear an N95 with eye protection for direct patient care. 

Q: I was just vaccinated, when can I stop masking?

You can follow the ‘up-to-date’ vaccination status 14 days after the last dose of any FDA-authorized or approved vaccine. Until then, you should follow the guidance for ‘NOT up-to-date’ vaccination status for employees. 

Q: Do I still need to physically distance from others?

In patient care areas, all employees (regardless of vaccination status) are expected to maintain 6 feet distancing from other people, or as much as possible in their usual workflow. This includes workrooms, breakrooms, and conference rooms embedded in patient care areas, 

In indoor or outdoor non-patient care areas, all wear masks within health buildings. Employees NOT up-to-date with vaccination status are encouraged to mask when <6 feet from others. If unmasked (e.g. while eating or drinking), must maintain ≥6 feet from others. 

Q: Do I still need to screen upon entry to UCSF Health premises?

Yes. All employees must participate in symptom screening when entering UCSF Health premises. This can be done through the digital screener. 

Q: What other measures should I do to protect myself?

• Hand hygiene is key to preventing transmission of infections and is an important part of preventing COVID-19 infection in healthcare settings and in the community. 
• Cleaning environmental surfaces that are touched by multiple people is also an important measure to prevent the spread of infection. 
• Wear a mask if you are mildly ill and working within the Occupational Health Services working well policy. 

Q: Do patients and visitors still need to mask?

Yes. Patients and visitors, independent of vaccination status, are required to wear masks in patient care areas when on UCSF Health premises.