Facial coverings are required for all employees, students, vendors and visitors while on campus (at University office, property, field work or sponsored event) in all indoor and outdoor University public spaces. This includes classroom, laboratory, any type of in-person instructional activity, except when alone in a private office, bathroom stall, or residence hall room; or while eating/drinking, or unless not advisable by a healthcare professional, against documented industry best practices, or not permitted by federal or state laws/regulations. Facial coverings may be removed while eating or drinking outdoors or in designated indoor spaces (guidance on accommodations for consuming food and drink will be forthcoming), but must be replaced immediately when finished eating or drinking.
A “face covering” is defined as a “covering that fully covers a person’s nose and mouth, including without limitation, cloth face mask, surgical mask, towels, scarves, and bandanas” (State of Nevada Emergency Directive 024). The University has the authority to require students to wear facial coverings. A student may seek an accommodation under the ADA through the Disability Resource Center (DRC); an employee may seek an accommodation under the ADA through the Equal Opportunity/Title IX Office.
Gov. Steve Sisolak announced a directive effective June 26, 2020 requiring that all Nevadans and visitors to the state wear mandatory face coverings when they are out in public, with a few limited exceptions. In accordance with Gov. Sisolak’s directive and in alignment with previous health and safety instructions from the former Nevada System of Higher Education Chancellor Thom Reilly, the directive mandates that face coverings must be worn in any public space, including public transportation, public facing work environments or when patronizing businesses, or interacting with others in generally publicly accessible space.
The University also continues to stress that employees must maintain social distancing of at least six feet apart.