Univerity At Buffalo - UB Now: UB Updates COVID-19 Workplace Guidelines For Employees

Press release from the University at Buffalo - UB Now:

JAY REY

June 21, 2021

COVID-19 UPDATES  •  6/21/2021

UB employees who have been vaccinated for COVID-19 no longer need to wear masks or stay physically distanced while indoors on campus.

Employees who are not vaccinated are still expected to wear masks and stay physically distanced, but UB will not require proof of vaccination. Employees, instead, will be on an honor system and subject to periodic surveillance testing if they’re not vaccinated.

Those are some of the updated guidelines issued by the state Department of Health for state agencies, including UB, as pandemic rules continue to be relaxed amid falling COVID rates.

“I fully support relaxing mask-wearing and physical distancing on campus for vaccinated individuals, just as it is being done elsewhere throughout the general public,” said Michael E. Cain, dean of the Jacobs School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences. “These updated protocols should make it easier for UB employees to return to campus and prepare for students coming back in the fall.”

Earlier this month, UB announced that all employees on campus during the summer must continue to wear masks and stay physically distanced while indoors, unless they are alone in an enclosed office space.

Now, SUNY and the governor’s office have provided new guidance that takes effect immediately and includes updated rules for:

Physical distancing. Fully vaccinated employees do not need to remain physically distanced on campus.

Those who are not vaccinated should maintain 6 feet of distance or, in lieu of 6 feet, use an appropriate physical barrier.

Masking. Fully vaccinated employees no longer need to wear masks.

Those who are not vaccinated may remove masks indoors while physically distanced, seated, at their workstations or while eating and drinking. They do not need to wear a mask outdoors on campus unless they are in a gathering or crowded event where they are unable to maintain that 6 feet.

UB’s Health Guidelines Committee, led by Cain, will be updating guidance for organized events and informal social gatherings on campus.

“I believe what’s expected of us is that if you are not vaccinated you should be masked and socially distanced when you come into work,” said Mark Coldren, associate vice president for the Office of Human Resources.

“During the summer, campus units should work with their employees to make sure they understand the new guidelines and that workspaces are adjusted accordingly,” he said.

Coldren noted that in some cases, vaccinated employees will choose to continue to wear masks for their own comfort or personal medical reasons.

Proof of vaccination. Proof of vaccination is not required from UB employees.

However, employees will be required to affirm that they have read, understood and will abide by the guidelines. A document will be forthcoming, which all UB employees will be expected to sign and submit to Human Resources.

Employees are still invited to update their vaccination information to Human Resources.

“We’re going to continue to collect that information for the purpose of exempting people from surveillance testing,” Coldren said.

As of last week, proof of vaccination was collected from roughly 2,500 employees, Coldren said. He estimates well over 80% of faculty and staff are vaccinated based on those who have been coming to campus regularly and self-reported their status through Daily Health Check.

Daily health screening: Regardless of an employee’s vaccination status, the university still will continue to screen individuals for COVID symptoms, recent close contacts and positive COVID test results through use of the UB Daily Health Check upon arrival to campus for work.

Ventilation and air filtration: Airflow should be increased and ventilation improved for indoor settings where possible. Environmental health and safety experts at UB continue to evaluate and upgrade the heating, ventilation and air conditioning systems, as they have done throughout the pandemic.

More information on COVID-19 protocols at UB can be found on UB's COVID-19 planning and response page.

This press release was produced by the University at Buffalo - UB Now. The views expressed here are the author’s own.