With the university’s plans for Returning to UCF approved by the Board of Trustees, it is especially incumbent on each one of us to take steps to prevent further spread of COVID-19 and make UCF a safer place for all of us.
Face coverings are just one of the critical prevention measures UCF is adopting. The coverings help contain small droplets that come out of your mouth and nose. If you have COVID-19 and are not showing symptoms, a face covering reduces your chance of spreading the infection to others. If you are healthy, a covering may protect you from those around you.
UCF has begun distributing one free cotton, reusable covering to those returning to UCF. Distribution will continue throughout the summer, and additional locations will be added in the fall to accommodate the higher demand as more return to UCF.
Face Covering Distribution
Cloth face coverings are being distributed at several locations on the main and downtown campuses, with distribution stations coming to the Rosen and Lake Nona campuses in the near future. One face covering will be assigned to each member of the UCF community, and a valid UCF ID card is required to obtain one. Students, faculty and staff may also pick up a face covering for their friends and coworkers as long as they have that person’s UCF ID.
A map and listing of distribution locations and operating hours are listed here.
For students:
- New students who have not yet received their UCF ID will receive their face covering in conjunction with distribution of their UCF Cards at a time to be shared later this summer.
- UCF Housing will provide face coverings to residential students during the move-in process that starts in August.
UCF has ordered a face covering for each student and faculty and staff member, and they will be available for pickup throughout the summer and at the start of the fall semester. Individuals will be responsible for acquiring another face covering in the event the one provided by UCF is lost or damaged.
About the Face Coverings
The UCF-branded face coverings are made from 100 percent cotton and are washable and reusable. These face coverings are not a replacement for medical-grade PPE or the protective gear required in some laboratories.
The decision to use the UCF-provided face covering is your own, but university policy requires the use of a face covering of some sort. The coverings are required to be worn in shared indoor spaces and outdoors where physical distancing is not possible.
You can also purchase other UCF-branded face coverings from Rock ‘Em, an Orlando-based apparel company started by a former student. Part of the proceeds from the sales of these face coverings will be donated to the UCF Student Emergency Fund.
We encourage you to watch this video about how to properly wear face coverings and visit the Returning to UCF website for additional FAQs about face coverings.
Other Prevention Measures
Other steps such as continued physical distancing, regular hand-washing, avoiding touching your face and staying home when you are sick are critical components in reducing the spread of COVID-19 and other respiratory viruses.
The reality is that exposure to COVID-19 is possible in any public place where people are present, and personal responsibility is required to protect ourselves, our loved ones and everyone with whom we come in contact.
Additional updates will continue to be shared on UCF’s coronavirus website, and we also encourage you to download the UCF Mobile app, another tool that will be utilized to share and gather information as we return to UCF.
As Knights, we wear face coverings and take other COVID-19 prevention steps because we care about one another.
Let’s Armor Up, Knights, and Charge On!
For the latest information about returning to campus, visit UCF’s Coronavirus and Returning to UCF websites. You will be required to complete the COVID Self-Checker — available via the UCF mobile app or online — each day before arriving to campus.
