Dear UCSF Community, 

We are updating our masking guidance for all members of the UCSF community. As of May 1, at UCSF Benioff Children’s Hospital Oakland and May 6 at UCSF West Bay campuses, face masks are no longer routinely required across all areas of the University. Face masks are required only in areas where direct patient care is delivered during the following time periods:

• During the annual respiratory viral season, from November 1 to April 30 and 
• During sustained periods of high community transmission of respiratory viruses, such as COVID-19, respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) and influenza.  

Outside of these periods, wearing face masks is optional in areas where patient care is delivered. UCSF Fresno should follow its local or institutional policies for masking.  

During respiratory viral season and times of high community transition of respiratory viruses, UCSF Health faculty, staff and learners are required to wear masks where patient care is delivered (e.g., upon entering an inpatient or clinic examination or procedure room). It does not include waiting areas, registration areas, offices, break rooms, hallways, elevators or work rooms. At any time of year, masks also must be worn if you are asked to do so by a patient.  

Everyone – whether you work in a clinical setting or not – is welcome to wear a mask at any time. Please respect and support everyone’s individual decisions to wear a mask.  

The new guidance coincides with the expiration on April 30 of previous orders from the San Francisco, Alameda and Contra Costa counties departments of public health to wear face masks in areas where patients could be present. UCSF’s new guidance is based on recommendations from a cross-functional team based on available scientific literature and our own data. It also allows for flexibility to institute tighter restrictions as new information and data become available and circumstances change. 

Our priority in developing this new guidance continues to be the safety of our patients and visitors, as well as faculty, staff and learners. Masking, in addition to other measures such as vaccinations, staying home when ill, and timely testing and isolation if symptomatic, protects everyone. To learn more about the new masking guidance, review the FAQs for UCSF Health Masking Guidance.

Thank you for your ongoing support as we continue to refine and improve our practices and processes with a focus on the safety and well-being of our UCSF community.

Sincerely, 

Josh Adler, MD
Chief Clinical Officer 
UCSF Health