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Face Coverings

St. Ignatius statue with face mask

Face Mask/Covering Requirements: 

Following guidance from the CDC, city, and state officials, masks are currently optional on Loyola's campus. Masking may be enforced in specific areas, such as Student Health Services, as necessary. Please comply with specific masking signage on campus in alignment with current public health recommendations.

We recommend masking if:

  • You are sick with any respiratory illness (even if you tested negative for COVID-19)
  • You are caring for someone who is sick with COVID-19
  • You are immunocompromised or at higher risk of severe illness 
  • You live with or have social contact with someone who is at higher risk of severe illness

Everyone should mask for a full 10 days after testing positive and following exposure to COVID-19. For detailed instructions regarding our isolation and quarantine policies, please review our COVID-19 Symptoms and Testing page.  

For questions about Loyola’s masking policies, contact covid@loyno.edu.

Wearing Face Masks/Coverings: 

Follow these steps to safely put on, wear, and remove a face mask/covering. 

  • Wash hands thoroughly or apply hand sanitizer before touching the mask/covering.
  • The mask/covering should fit snugly against the face, covering the nose and mouth and securing under the chin.
  • Tie the straps of your mask/covering around the head and neck, or use loops that fit securely around ears.
  • Wearers should be able to breathe without restriction while wearing the mask/covering. 
  • Avoid touching the front of the mask/covering while wearing it. 
  • When removing the mask, avoid touching eyes, nose, or mouth. Individuals should wash their hands immediately after removing the face covering.

Do's and Don'ts for Your Face Mask:

Here are some recommendations from the CDC. 

Your mask should:

  • Have two or more layers of non-woven materials (N95 or KN95 masks offer optimal protection)
  • Completely cover your nose and mouth and secure under your chin
  • Fit snugly against the sides of your face without any gaps
  • Allow you to breathe easily and stay on comfortably without readjustment

Your mask should NOT:

  • Be made with fabrics that make it hard to breathe, such as vinyl
  • Fall off your nose when you talk or have gaps around the side of your face
  • Have valves or vents that allow particles to escape 
  • Be a gaiter or bandana, which is loose and does not secure under the chin

Double Masking:

We recommend wearing two masks to help achieve a tighter fit around your face and filter out more particles. Start with a single-use surgical mask, ideally one made with a non-woven material called polypropylene, closest to your face. Then add your cloth mask over it to help create a tighter fit and add additional layers of protection. 

Masks with a pocket for a filter are also a useful way to boost effectiveness and achieve a similar result. You can cut down a surgical mask to fit into the filter pocket, or you can use a HEPA or activated carbon filter fit into the mask pocket. 

Cleaning and Caring for Face Masks/Coverings: 

Cloth masks/coverings must be properly laundered and stored between each use. Disposable masks should only be used one time and properly discarded once removed. 

  • Cloth masks/coverings should be washed with regular clothing detergent and machine dried after each use.
  • Masks/coverings that visibly change shape or size after laundering, or those that are ripped/torn/stretched/soiled from wear, should be discarded.
  • When the mask/covering is not being used, fold it with the side that goes toward the mouth folded inwards and store it in a clean container or bag.
  • Loyola recommends having a weeklong supply of face masks/coverings to avoid the need to launder masks daily.

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