Masks
Face mask requirements
Ohio State continues to respond to changes in public health guidance. Ohio State’s guidance on face masks was last updated April 19, 2022.
- Masks are optional in most settings on all Ohio State campuses, including general-purpose buildings, residence halls, dining facilities, classrooms, offices, the Ohio Union, and on public transportation. Masks are also optional outdoors. (Read guidance for individuals for specific circumstances)
- Masks are required in clinical health care settings (including at the Wexner Medical Center), COVID-19 testing locations and child care centers.
Public events, such as those that take place at the Schottenstein Center and the Covelli Center, are mask optional, effective March 8, 2022.
Please note: The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends masking in public indoor spaces for communities with “high” levels of COVID-19. Use the CDC’s COVID-19 County Check tool to see your community’s current level.
GUIDANCE FOR INDIVIDUALS
In settings where masks are optional, students, faculty, staff and visitors can decide on an individual basis whether or not they will continue to wear a mask – with the exception of the following situations.
- If you test positive or are exposed to COVID-19: Individuals must follow U.S. Centers for Disease Control guidelines — including those related to wearing a mask for at least 10 days — if they test positive for COVID-19 or are exposed to someone with the virus.
- If you are a Wexner Medical Center employee who has received an exemption from the university’s vaccination requirement: You must wear a mask inside any medical center facility. Please see the Wexner Medical Center website for more information.
For those wearing masks, guidance on the best type and fit continues to evolve. University community members are encouraged to regularly check the CDC guidance on masks and other health and safety measures.
The university continues to distribute masks at various locations on campus.
Mask Guidelines
| Location | Policy |
|---|---|
Indoor public spaces - including general-purpose buildings such as the Ohio Union and University Libraries, residence halls, dining facilities, classrooms, academic buildings, offices, recreation centers, athletic facilities, and meeting and event spaces | Masks optional |
| Outdoor public spaces | Masks optional |
Clinical buildings at the Wexner Medical Center and Student Health Services — including public and non-public settings such as conference rooms, administrative offices. (Masks remain optional in academic, teaching, research or administrative support buildings that have no patient care activities.) | Masks required |
Other university health-care clinics where patient interactions occur. (Masks remain optional outside of the clinical-care portions of these buildings.) | Masks required |
COVID-19 testing centers – including Jesse Owens North | Masks required |
Transportation – including CABS and shuttle buses | Masks optional |
Child care centers– including the Nisonger Center | Masks required |
Face masks available around campus
Free face masks are available for students, faculty and staff at a variety of campus locations including: all residence halls, all recreation facilities, most university libraries and the Ohio Union information desk. Masks can be picked up during business hours and details about locations are below. Masks are also available at primary entrances of academic, administrative and research facilities on the Columbus campus.
University Libraries
Masks are available at circulation desks in the university libraries listed below. Hours can be found on the University Libraries website.
- 18th Avenue Library
- Architecture Library in Knowlton Hall
- Biological Sciences/Pharmacy Library in Riffe Building
- Fine Arts Library in the Wexner Center for the Arts complex
- The Food, Agricultural, and Environmental Sciences Library & Student Success Center in the Agricultural Administration Building
- Geology Library in Orton Hall
- Thompson Library
- Veterinary Medicine Library in the Vet Med Academic Building
Recreation Centers
Masks are available at entrances of all recreation facilities.
- Recreation and Physical Activity Center (RPAC)
- Adventure Recreation Center
- Outdoor Adventure Center
- Jesse Owens South Recreation Center
- North Recreation Center
- Jesse Owens North Recreation Center (Also available in the COVID-19 testing location)
Ohio Union
Masks are available at the Ohio Union Information Desk.
Regional Campuses
Masks also are available at the testing sites at each of Ohio State’s regional campuses and at the following locations:
- Lima: Nutrien Welcome Desk of the Perry Webb Student Life Building
- Mansfield: Campus Recreation Center
- Marion: Alber Student Center
- Newark: Adena Recreation Center
- Wooster: Student Activity Center
Single-Use Mask Disposal
Please dispose of single-use masks in the trash, not on the ground. While disposable masks protect us from disease, they also can harm the environment when not properly discarded. You can help by properly disposing of your soiled, torn or saturated masks. More inforamtion is available on the Environmental Health and Safety website.