Behavior Guidelines

Face Coverings

The College will adhere to New York State Executive Order 202.17, which requires all persons to wear a face covering that covers the nose and mouth when entering the building.

All persons entering campus are required to wear a face mask or other face covering that covers their nose and mouth at all times except when alone within your office, cubicle, or residential unit (NYS Office Based Work Guidelines for Employers and Employees). The current New York State guideline requires all individuals to wear a face covering when unable to maintain physical distance with others. In compliance with the NYS Guidance, persons should already have their own personal face masks/coverings. In the event that someone does not have their own personal face mask/covering, one will be issued to them upon their arrival.

Implementation

• Require that all persons entering campus must wear a face covering
• Require that face coverings be worn anytime persons are unable to maintain physical distancing, and while in all campus spaces except alone in one’s office or cubicle, or residential unit
• Additional clear face masks will be purchased to accommodate community members who interact with individuals who are deaf and hard of hearing

Distribution of Face Coverings

• If persons arriving on campus do not have a face covering, one will be issued to them prior to their entering campus
• Face coverings may be issued at the Zankel Building and Whittier Hall
• New York State Department of Health and the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) guidance require employers to issue appropriate PPE to all employees. The College has acquired a stock of 15,000+ face masks (over and above those in stock for essential employees).

Rationale

• CDC guidance requires face coverings be worn when unable to maintain physical distancing
• New York State Executive Order 202.17 requires that face coverings be worn when entering the building and when unable to maintain physical distance
• New York State Executive Order 202.16 requires employers to provide face masks for employees

Gloves

Require only individuals for which their job function requires the use of gloves, such as facilities employees.

Gloves will be provided to all employees for which their job functions require the use of gloves.

Rationale

OSHA Guidance for Workplaces does not recommend any additional PPE equipment for employees whose job is classified as a Lower Exposure Risk. Employees should continue to use the PPE, if any, that they would ordinarily use for other job tasks.

Inform employees and students about proper hand hygiene, cough and sneezing etiquette, and proper use of face coverings/PPE. This will include ample instructions, informational materials, and signage to communicate guidelines as to hygiene practices, face coverings and physical distancing.

Implementation

In coordination with the COVID communications plan provide informational materials about the following: 

• Hand Washing: Wash hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds or use hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol if soap and water are not available. Informing all that if their hands are visibly dirty, they should use soap and water over hand sanitizer. Key times for cleaning hands include:
• When arriving to the office
• Before and after work breaks
• After blowing of nose, coughing, or sneezing
• After using the restroom
• Before eating or preparing food
• After putting on, touching, or removing cloth face coverings
• Avoiding touching eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands.
• Covering mouth and nose with a tissue when coughing or sneezing, or use the inside of the elbow. Throwing used tissues into no-touch trash cans and immediately washing hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds.

• Hand sanitizer use: If soap and water are not readily available, use alcohol-based hand sanitizer in touchless hand sanitizer dispensers that is at least 60% alcohol. Ensuring that adequate supplies are maintained. Increasing hand sanitizer availability in public spaces, and at building entrances and office entrances.

New York Executive Order 205 requires all travelers entering New York from a restricted state or territory to quarantine in the residence halls or their homes for 14 days. All out-of-state travelers from designated states must complete a form upon entering New York. Travelers who leave the airport without completing the form will be subject to a $2,000 fine and may be brought to a hearing and ordered to complete mandatory quarantine. Travelers coming to New York from designated states through other means of transport, including trains and cars, must fill out the form online. To access the form, please click on the following URL: https://coronavirus.health.ny.gov/covid-19-travel-advisory. Even with a negative COVID-19 test, individuals under out-of-state quarantine may not access campus.