Home / Patient Care / Masking Guidelines
Masking Guidelines
Updated on 02/22/22
Masking at Stanford Health Care
While California’s statewide indoor mask mandate for vaccinated people lifted on February 16, 2022, the state order requires masking indoors in health care settings. Masking will remain mandatory indoors for both vaccinated and unvaccinated individuals and continues to be recommended outdoors in crowded settings. Indoor mask requirements also remain in effect at all Stanford University campus locations.
Upon arriving at any Stanford Health Care location, patients must go through designated entry points to complete entry screening process. Patients are required to wear the fresh procedure mask provided to them at the entrance. Home made cloth masks are not allowed.
Care teams can provide more information.
Masks must be worn at all times upon entry to Stanford Health Care facilities and when outside.
To put on your mask:
- Wash your hands with soap and water or use hand sanitizer, scrubbing thoroughly for at least 20 seconds.
- Grasp the mask by its ear loops to it pick up.
- Place the inside of the mask over your face, putting the loops behind your ears.
- Avoid touching the inside of the mask.
- Pinch the nose piece to fit the mask to your face.
- Wash your hands with soap and water or use hand sanitizer.
To take your mask off:
- Wash your hands with soap and water or use hand sanitizer, scrubbing thoroughly for at least 20 seconds.
- Remove the mask by holding the ear loops.
- Inspect it. If it’s dirty, torn, or wet, ask for a new one and discard the old one.
- If the mask is not visibly soiled or torn, carefully place it with outside facing the table on a paper towel.
- Wash your hands with soap and water or hand sanitizer.
If your mask gets dirty, wet, or damaged, ask your care team for a new one. Ask where you should discard your old mask.