Face coverings are required any time you’re on campus. This includes in all indoor and outdoor spaces on campus, even with physical distance.
There are very limited exceptions to this:
- While you’re actively eating or drinking; however, you should be stationary and maintain appropriate physical distancing.
- While you’re exercising outdoors, as long as physical distance can be maintained. (Please note that the Recreation and Wellness Center requires facility guests to use a face covering or disposable mask.)
- While you’re in your personal residence or office (a single room with a closable door) with the door closed and others are not present in the enclosed space.
Related FAQs
Are face coverings required?
Yes. Cloth face coverings are being distributed at several locations on UCF’s campuses. One face covering will be assigned to each member of the UCF community, and a valid UCF ID card is required to obtain one. These or a face covering of some kind will be required at all times on campus. Find face covering distribution locations.
You can also purchase face coverings from Rock ’Em in Orlando. For each face covering sold, $5 will go to the UCF Student Emergency Fund.
There may be exceptions to face coverings in very limited circumstances. More information is listed in the COVID-19 Return to Campus Policy.
Have there been positive cases of COVID-19 at UCF?
UCF has seen some employees and students test positive for COVID-19. The vast majority of UCF’s cases have involved students who are either asymptomatic or experienced only minor symptoms.
Most of the recent cases involve students who said they have not been on campus during the time they could have impacted others. Many are the result of our contact tracing efforts – reaching out to others who have had close contact with someone who has tested positive and testing them. We hope these efforts will help to reduce the spread as more members of the UCF community become aware they have tested positive.
We encourage anyone who finds themselves experiencing symptoms of COVID-19 to get tested at one of the UCF testing sites or at a location near them. Testing is important for tracking the virus and tracing to prevent further community spread, and we are already seeing that this process is effective.
View the UCF COVID dashboard for more information.
How is UCF tracing and tracking cases of COVID-19?
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. Student volunteers will partner with the Florida Department of Health as contact tracers beginning this summer and will work with faculty from the College of Medicine and College of Nursing.
How can I obtain a face covering from UCF?
Cloth face coverings are being distributed at several locations on UCF’s campuses. One face covering will be assigned to each member of the UCF community, and a valid UCF ID card is required to obtain one. These or a face covering of some kind will be required at all times on campus. Find face covering distribution locations.
You can also purchase face coverings from Rock ’Em in Orlando. For each face covering sold, $5 will go to the UCF Student Emergency Fund.
Do I need to immediately return to UCF to obtain my face covering?
No. UCF has ordered enough face coverings for all students and faculty and staff members, and they will be available throughout the summer and fall semesters.
How do I obtain a UCF ID card to receive my face covering?
UCF Card Services is open for students and employees in need of a new or replacement UCF Card.
New students who have not yet received their UCF ID will receive their face covering in conjunction with distribution of their UCF Cards later this summer.
How do I wash the face covering?
It is recommended that the face coverings are washed by hand with mild liquid detergent after each day’s use and then hung dry.
Will I need to be tested for COVID-19 before returning to campus?
Some groups will be required be tested upon return to UCF, including:
- All students returning to university-owned housing
- All students and staff residing in on-campus Greek housing
- All student-athletes whether living on or off campus
There will be no out of pocket costs to students. UCF will bill students’ insurance provider, and if insurance does not cover, UCF will cover the cost of the COVID-19 test.
For others, COVID-19 testing is available at the main campus in Garage A, but is not required to return to campus.
How do I obtain disposable masks for campus visitors?
Disposable masks will be provided to building liaisons for distribution upon request, and more information will be shared with those individuals in the coming weeks.
How will face coverings be enforced?
More information is listed in the COVID-19 Return to Campus Policy.
How can I access the self-checker in the UCF Mobile app?
Detailed instructions on how to access and utilize the COVID Self-Checker are available online for employees and supervisors.
What type of testing is UCF doing?
Routine Testing remains available to our faculty, staff and students via AVENTUS in Garage A main campus Monday-Friday 9-5 and Saturday 1-5. COVID Line nurses use standing orders for faculty, staff and students who request testing. Also, SHS, UCF Health, and community providers may order testing through AVENTUS. This testing is via nasal pharyngeal (NP) samples with PCR testing. Results are available within 48 hours. Cost is a patient responsibility (has been covered by insurance).
Move-in Testing approximately 6,000 students during August for students on main campus, downtown campus and Rosen campus. Testing was via NP samples and PCR testing with results in 48 hours. AVENTUS labs performed the testing with up to 800 students per day. Considerations include performing a randomized selection as opposed to requiring all residents to be tested.
Random Testing is by selection of groups which may be at higher risk of COVID. Via a randomized selection process a subset of the group is identified for testing. This testing is primarily designed to measure prevalence of COVID within selected groups but also identifies persons who may be infectious. Testing has initially been performed via AVENTUS with NP swabs and PCR testing. We will be migrating October 26th to testing this group at SHS on the main campus Health Center using observed self-collection of nasal samples and the Abbott ID Now molecular testing system. Results will be same day and we anticipate selecting 110 persons for each testing event. I anticipate conducting this random testing every two weeks for the next year. Cost for this required testing is covered by the UCF Cares money.