Public Health Strategies

Last Updated: Aug. 23, 2021

Tulane has implemented extensive protocols and procedures to help limit the spread of COVID-19 and mitigate potential exposure for the university and New Orleans community. To help achieve this goal, every student, faculty and staff member shares in the responsibility to comply with these health protocols.

Tulane has made, and will make continue to make, every decision about our plans in close consultation with physicians and public health professionals. More information about our health strategies can be found below.

COVID-19 related testing, working and isolation/quarantine protocols for healthcare workers may vary due to the nature of their work. Specific directions or exceptions to stated protocols will be communicated to those employees by their senior leader.

Face Coverings

With the highest risk for COVID-19 transmission occurring in indoor settings, masks are required, regardless of vaccination status, in all indoor public and common spaces on any Tulane property including classrooms, laboratories, shuttles and other meeting spaces. The Reily Student Recreation Center also requires masking in all of its spaces, including basketball courts, the weight room and walking track.

While there are a variety of acceptable masks, Tulane strongly recommends the use of a KN95 mask.

Whether fully vaccinated or unvaccinated, you are required to wear a mask in indoor public places. In general, you do not need to wear a mask in outdoor settings. However, certain large outdoor events may have specific policies that require mask wearing.

Masks are not required in the following situations:

• Indoors in a private space: Masks are not required in private residents (e.g., dorm room) or when alone in a private office or space. Vaccinated persons may remove face coverings or masks when alone in a cubicle. For this purpose, a cubicle is defined as a space with three walls at least five feet in height. Certain areas on campus may have more restrictive policies, please follow any directives from managers or supervisors.
   
• Indoors – Meals, Eating and Drinking: While unmasked for meals, eating, and drinking, you should minimize your time unmasked. If you are eating or drinking in a group, minimize the group size. When possible, outdoor eating is strongly preferred. After eating meals or drinking, re-mask immediately.

Individuals who have a medical condition or are taking medications that weaken their immune system may not be fully protected even if they are fully vaccinated. We encourage anyone in these situations to continue to take all precautions recommended for unvaccinated people, including wearing a well-fitted mask, until advised otherwise by their healthcare provider.

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Social Distancing

Maintaining space between yourself and others is one of the best ways to avoid being exposed to the COVID-19 virus and to slow its spread.

While there is no current social distancing requirement on campus, social distancing is an effective strategy you can use to protect yourself from COVID-19.

Social distancing is the practice of maintaining increased distance between people and avoiding direct contact with people in public. This minimizes the risk of exposure and transmission of COVID-19, thereby slowing the spread. This means keeping six feet or more between you and other people who are not part of your family unit both inside and outside, avoiding large non-University-sanctioned events, and minimizing contact with people who are sick. When practiced along with everyday healthy habits such as frequent hand washing and wearing a face covering, these behaviors may reduce the spread of COVID-19.

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Personal Hygiene

Proper hygiene practices reduce the spread of COVID-19 and other viruses, like the common flu. This includes very basic steps such as:

• Frequently washing hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds.
   
• Use of hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol when hand washing is not possible. Hand sanitizer stations are available throughout all campus buildings.
   
• Avoid touching your face.
   
• Cover coughs and sneezes and throw away used tissues and immediately wash hands.
   
• Avoid close contact with others and with high-contact or frequently touched surfaces.
   
• Do not share personal items such as phones, computers, food, drink, deodorant, shampoo, soap, hairbrushes or hair dryers.

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