Vaccine-exempt employees must wear masks because of flu outbreak

Influenza is now prevalent in the area, according to WVU Medicine Infection Control.

Employees who have an approved exemption to the flu vaccine are required to wear a mask while at work, starting Thursday, Feb. 9. The masking requirement covers patient care areas, non-patient care areas, and off-site locations, such as Scott Avenue, the Information Technology Center, and the Operations Support Center. The masking requirement will remain in effect for the duration of flu season or until further notice from Employee Health. Failure to wear the mask while working will result in disciplinary action, up to and including termination.

Employee Health will provide one box of masks to each exempt employee. Employees may either pick up the masks in the Employee Health office located on the second floor of J.W. Ruby Memorial Hospital or request that the masks be sent via interoffice mail.

Masks must be picked up by 4:30 p.m. on Wednesday, Feb. 8. Instructions on how to wear a mask are available here. After receiving the first box of masks, an employee's home department will be responsible for ordering additional masks. A supervisor or manager can contact Supply Chain Operations (formerly Materials Management) to obtain additional masks.