Wearing Masks at UT Southwestern
When entering any of our locations, all patients and visitors age 2 or older are required to wear a clean mask or a cloth face covering that meets the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) guidelines:
- Fits snugly but comfortably against the side of the face
- Is secured with ties or ear loops
- Includes multiple layers of fabric
- Allows for breathing without restriction
- Is able to be laundered and machine dried without damage or change to shape
Masks that have exhalation valves or vents do not meet CDC guidelines as they can allow virus particles to escape. In addition, face shields alone cannot be worn in place of a mask.
Employees, patients, and visitors are required to put on their masks before entering buildings to help protect themselves and others. If a visitor doesn’t have a cloth face covering or mask, we will provide one.
Patients will be required to wear their mask throughout their visit, including in the exam room. Staff may wear face shields as an additional layer of protection for both the staff and the patient.
Across campus, masks are required in all outdoor spaces, even if it's possible to maintain social distance.