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Dear UVA Health Team Members,

In response to lower COVID case counts and the reduced impact of COVID-19 on our team members and hospital census, UVA Health is relaxing the masking policy for non-clinical areas of the health system effective March 28. Team members in clinical areas are still required to wear medical grade 3-ply facemasks or respirators (e.g., N95s or equivalents) with the addition of eye protection when directly caring for a patient. Please note, this policy applies to UVA Health team members only. Patients, families, and visitors will continue to follow universal masking protocols when within UVA Health facilities. We will continue to monitor CDC and state guidance for any changes that would impact our masking policy.

Please recognize some of our colleagues may remain more comfortable wearing a mask. As we have seen previously, effectively working though changes like this requires all UVA Health team members to treat their colleagues with the utmost respect and empathy. With this in mind, please:

1. Wear a mask when in a group if anyone in the group asks to keep masks on.
2. Recognize that if an individual asks for masks to be worn this does not mean they are unvaccinated. As mask guidance evolves, some colleagues may:
   • Feel more comfortable with a mask
   • Have an immunocompromising condition 
   • Be concerned about their contact with immunocompromised patients or close contacts outside work
   • Be unable to complete a COVID-19 vaccine series for medical or other reasons
3. Refrain from judgement or speculation inside or outside the group setting about the vaccination status of any individuals.

All Individuals

1. Masks are required in all UVA Health facilities open to the public and patients within the academic/educational, research and administrative areas that are patient facing and where patient, family or visitor presence is common including:
   • Medical Center
   • Clinics
   • Outpatient sites (Dialysis, procedure areas, outpatient surgery, labs, pharmacy, radiology, etc.)
   • Transitional Care Hospital
   • Cafeterias (except in the private dining rooms)
   • Research Buildings conducting human research (e.g., Snyder at Fontaine).
2. Masks are required when traveling on public transportation, including a university shuttle or bus, per CDC guidance.

Individuals whose Vaccinations are Up to Date*

1. Masks are not required in non-patient/non-patient visitor areas of the health system:
   • Research labs
   • Teaching areas (conference rooms, classrooms)
   • Administrative work areas
   • UVA Health buildings with no clinical activities (research buildings, educational buildings, administrative buildings)
2. Masks are not required in hospital or medical center non-patient spaces when meeting behind closed doors:
   • Teaching areas, e.g., conference rooms, classrooms
   • Work areas on a patient care unit
   • Administrative work areas
3. During a group gathering, if an individual asks for everyone to remain masked, all individuals should remain masked.

*”Up to date” means a person has received all recommended doses in their primary COVID-19 vaccine series, and a booster dose when eligible.

Unvaccinated/Partially Vaccinated Individuals

Masks must be worn at all times, when inside health system facilities, except when you are alone and in your own private spaces such as an office. 

For those with up-to-date vaccinations, the implications of these changes mean that in-person meetings, classrooms (School of Nursing, School of Medicine, etc.), education conferences (Grand Rounds, etc.) and similar gatherings can once again resume without masks, restrictions on room capacity, or social distancing. For those who are unvaccinated/partially vaccinated, attendance at these events is allowed; however, a mask is required. 

UVA Health requires all team members (including faculty) to be fully vaccinated against COVID (i.e., to have completed a primary vaccine series). UVA Health also strongly encourages all team members to remain up to date with their vaccinations, including booster vaccines when eligible. Vaccination of our team members is critical to preventing the spread of COVID-19. Information about the vaccine and how to schedule an appointment is available here.

Reid Adams, MD
Chief Medical Officer

Costi Sifri, MD
Hospital Epidemiologist