Jan. 3, 2023, update: With Bruins returning from winter break and gatherings, UCLA strongly recommends universal indoor masking on campus from Jan. 3 to 13 to mitigate a spike in COVID-19 cases. Testing is also strongly encouraged upon return. In addition read about the latest changes to the UC’s vaccination policy.
This page covers the following topics:
- Masking requirements on campus
- Recommended types of masks
- Where to get masks on campus
- Can I change the masking requirements?
- Those seeking mask accommodations
Masking on campus
Indoors
It is strongly recommended but not required that students, faculty, staff, visitors and others wear well-fitting face masks in indoor spaces on campus and at UCLA facilities.
Masking, however, remains mandatory in the following facilities and situations:
All UCLA health care settings
This applies to spaces occupied by the Arthur Ashe Health & Wellness Center, the David Geffen School of Medicine and the School of Dentistry, as well as clinical and patient care settings in the following facilities:
- Community Health Sciences building
- Factor Health Sciences building
- Gonda (Goldschmied) Neuroscience and Genetics Research Center
- MacDonald Medical Research Laboratories building
Isolation and quarantine exemptions
Per UCLA’s isolation and quarantine protocol and LACDPH orders, if you have been in close contact with an infected person but are asymptomatic, you do not need to quarantine — but you must wear a highly protective mask around other people until 10 days have passed since your initial exposure. If you are isolating, you must wear a mask if you will be around others, including those you live with.
Travel and public transit
Masks are strongly recommended by the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health on public transportation and at transportation hubs.
Outdoors
Masks are optional outdoors but are recommended when in large crowds or at events where physical distancing is not feasible.
Recommended types of masks
Well-fitting masks recommended for use by students and employees:
- Medical-grade surgical masks
- KN95s
- KF94s
- N95s or other respirators approved by the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health
For more on masks and respirators, including how to properly wear them, visit the CDC’s mask page and the LACDPH’s mask page.
Where to get masks on campus
The following locations currently provide free masks to students and employees:
- UCLA PPE Store
- John Wooden Center
- Student Activities Center
- Ackerman Union’s A-level information window
- UCLA residence hall front desks
Can I change requirements in my classroom or department?
Faculty, staff and students are are not permitted to create masking requirements for offices, classrooms or other campus spaces that deviate from current UCLA protocols. These protocols need to be applied consistently and equitably across all campus entities.
Those seeking mask accommodations
Students, faculty or staff who are seeking a COVID-19–related accommodation due to a medical condition that either requires them to wear a mask or precludes them from wearing one should consult with the following:
- Faculty and staff: Insurance and Risk Management
- Students: Center for Accessible Education
