Face Mask Policy
- Masking is no longer required. However, it is strongly recommended to mask when ill with respiratory symptoms.
- Stanford encourages everyone to respect the choices that individuals make about their own masking in many settings.
- For Healthcare Professionals:
- Please adhere to the updated recommendations for healthcare workers at Stanford HealthCare. You should contact WFW at 650-497-9595 with any questions.
- Per County of Santa Clara Order: Masking is required in patient care areas of healthcare delivery facilities through March 31, 2025.
N95 respirators, KN95 masks, KF94 masks, and double masking (e.g., cloth face mask over a disposable surgical mask) can provide a higher level of fit and filtration. Surgical masks and double-layer cloth face coverings remain acceptable though they do not provide the same level of personal protection.
Recommendations for face masks include:
- Fit snugly against the sides of your face and do not have gaps around the nose and chin.
- Be equipped with a nose wire to minimize gaps around the nose bridge.
- Completely cover the nose and mouth.
- Recommended types include cloth masks with tightly woven fabric (i.e., cotton) with minimum two layers, disposable/surgical face masks, and masks with inner filter pockets.
- NOTE: A face mask does not include a scarf, ski mask, balaclava, bandana, turtleneck, collar or single layer of fabric.
Suggest avoiding masks that have any of the following characteristics:
- Fit loosely on your face with large gaps around the nose and chin.
- Are made of fabric that is hard to breathe through.
- Have exhalation valves or vents that allow viral particles to escape.
- Gaiters and other loose fitting masks are not acceptable, even if double layered.
We encourage you to provide your own face masks wherever possible, and many members of our community have already procured them for their use outside of Stanford.
Department offices may wish to order mask supplies, using SmartMart or iProcurement (including for instructors requesting extra masks for students).
Faculty, staff, postdocs, and students will continue to be able to pick up masks at COVID Test sites, during open hours. Learn more here.
Individuals are advised to review N95 Respirator Voluntary Use Guidance for important guidance on the safe use of N95s.
Departments are to provide required use of N95 respirators to employees where identified jobs have high potential for exposure to known or suspected sources of COVID-19 (e.g., clinical respiratory droplet/ aerosol-generating activities).
Visit this page for information on N95 respirator use during wildfire smoke events.
