FAQs about COVID-19

Masks are optional on UB’s campuses in most settings:

• Students, faculty, staff and visitors, regardless of vaccination status, will no longer be required to wear masks in most settings, indoors or outdoors. 
• Anyone who wishes to continue wearing a mask in a classroom, office or any other campus space is encouraged to do so. 
• Clinical health care settings: Masks are required in certain clinical health care settings on campus, such as dental school facilities.
• Student Health Services: Masks are no longer required within the Student Health Services facility EXCEPT
  • if you have any symptoms of a respiratory infection including cough, runny nose, sneezing, throat pain, fever, body aches, headache OR
  • if you have been diagnosed with COVID-19 in the past 10 days OR
  • if you have had close contact with someone diagnosed with COVID-19 in the past 10 days    
• Buses and Shuttles: Masks are not required on most buses and shuttles. Masks are no longer required within the Student Health Services Shuttle EXCEPT:
  • if you have any symptoms of a respiratory infection including cough, runny nose, sneezing, throat pain, fever, body aches, headache OR
    
  • if you have been diagnosed with COVID-19 in the past 10 days OR
  • if you have had close contact with someone diagnosed with COVID-19 in the past 10 days.
  • Shuttle operators will continue to have a supply of masks on hand in case a passenger fails to bring one and has a need.
• UB faculty, staff and students who work or learn at hospitals, nursing homes, clinics or diagnostic and treatment centers off campus must continue to comply with any site-specific regulations in place.

Remember: There are many reasons that individuals may continue to wear a mask, including those who are:

• Unvaccinated 
• Immunocompromised
• Living with someone at higher risk

Please be kind and respectful toward others in our UB community.

Faculty and academic support staff, see Guidance for faculty and academic support staff.

Please note that universal masking is dependent on CDC-reported community transmission rates, and may be reinstated if Erie County experiences a sustained increase in the number of new cases and/or if masking is otherwise recommended by public health authorities. Masks have been a highly effective strategy at reducing the spread of COVID-19 and other respiratory illnesses.