Robust tracing of COVID-19 cases at UCF will help the university identify and contain potentially impacted populations. UCF will continue to partner with state and local health officials to regularly monitor rates of new cases.
Related FAQs
Are face coverings required?
Our expectation is that students, faculty and staff wear masks while indoors, in line with CDC guidance and with Florida’s State University System and in an effort to help protect our campus community. However, neither the university nor individual faculty and staff members may require individuals to wear masks if they choose not to do so.
What is required of those returning to campus?
UCF expects continued following of latest CDC guidelines. All students, employees and visitors at all UCF campuses are encouraged to monitor their symptoms using the COVID Self-Checker available online and in the UCF Mobile app. Employees who have tested positive for COVID-19 or have been in proximity to someone who has must stay home and not come to UCF.
What do I do if I exhibit symptoms of COVID-19?
If you become ill with symptoms of COVID-19, stay home and contact your primary care physician, who will determine whether testing or treatment is needed. UCF students and employees must call the UCF COVID Line at 407-823-2509
Also follow these best practices while awaiting test results and if you test positive for COVID-19:
- Do not leave your home, except to get medical care, until cleared by your healthcare provider.
- Do not share household items.
- Wear a mask around others if contact is necessary.
- Report if you have tested positive for COVID-19 by calling the UCF COVID Line at 407-823-2509
Can a member of the UCF community on their own require someone else to wear a face covering in their classroom, office or other location on campus?
No. Under the new guidelines, no member of the UCF community is permitted to require any other member of the UCF community to wear a face covering on campus, whether in an office, classroom or other location. You may encourage others to wear face coverings, but you may not require them to do so.
How will I be informed of possible COVID-19 exposure at UCF?
If there is the possibility that you have been exposed to COVID-19 because a colleague has tested positive, you will be notified directly. Through contact tracing, the Department of Health will assess and inform all persons who may be at risk and require quarantine and/or testing. In line with public health practices and medical and student privacy laws, only those who would need to know about confirmed COVID-19 cases for personal health and safety reasons will be informed.
The Department of Health will notify UCF of all known or suspected cases at UCF, and confirmed cases will be shared with the public via the dashboard on the COVID-19 website.
UCF Housing, Environmental Health and Safety or other areas will be notified of known or suspected cases and the need for isolation, quarantine and appropriate cleaning and disinfecting measures.
Are there any exceptions? Are face coverings still required at the clinics?
Yes. As medical facilities, the Student Health Center, UCF Health, and Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS) still require face coverings inside their buildings. Additionally, as a simulated clinical environment, the Clinical Skills and Simulation Center at the College of Medicine also requires face coverings.
If I am visiting UCF's campus, what preventative measures should I take?
UCF encourages visitors to our campuses to wear face coverings indoors, even if they are vaccinated. We also ask that visitors monitor their symptoms using the COVID Self-Checker available online, and stay home if they have tested positive for COVID-19 or have been in proximity to someone who has.
What policy should employees and students at UCF Connect campuses hosted by state colleges follow for face coverings?
Employees and students should follow the policy of their host state college when they are working at or studying on those campuses.
How can I ask that someone mask up?
The request to wear masks can be simple: “Please wear masks in this class for the protection of yourselves and those around you who may be at higher risk from COVID complications.” Or, you may add personal reasons that this is a matter of concern to you, such as living with someone who is immunocompromised and at higher risk. Please be certain that you are asking, not attempting to mandate.
What COVID-19 precautions is UCF taking?
Pandemic precautions such as the COVID Line, contact tracing, wastewater testing, genomic surveillance and the optional COVID Self-Checker will remain in effect through the fall. Everyone is expected to follow the latest CDC guidance regarding wearing masks indoors.
What if I have special concerns due to a personal health condition?
Those with limitations due to a medical condition that qualify for an accommodation under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) can request an accommodation by completing the Reasonable Accommodation Request form and submitting it to the Office of Institutional Equity. For more information about the accommodation request process, please visit the OIE website.
Note that being at increased risk of severe illness related to COVID-19 alone does not qualify for an accommodation under the ADA.
What steps is UCF taking to enhance the safety of the campus environment?
Increased cleaning and daily classroom disinfections will continue, along with access to hand-sanitizing stations. During the pandemic, many touchless faucets, paper-towel dispensers and step-and-pull door openers were installed in high-touch areas. Additionally, HVAC systems across UCF’s campuses also have been upgraded over the past year to mitigate the spread of pathogens through the air.