Facilities, Spaces and Staffing

(January 2022: The UH Mānoa COVID-19 Guidelines are being updated. Please refer to the UH System COVID-19 Guidelines for the latest information.)

UH Mānoa has adopted guidelines to

1. reconfigure campus facility spaces to ensure safe, 3-foot physical distancing and
2. enhance cleaning and disinfection of campus facilities, following Centers for Disease Control and Prevention guidance.

The following is based on the Health and Well-Being Working Group report, UH System COVID-19 Guidelines on Facilities and Spaces and the UH System COVID-19 Guidelines on Office Spaces and Staffing.

Reconfigure facility spaces

The layout of every UH Mānoa classroom, teaching laboratory, office and public area will be reconfigured to ensure safe physical distancing before the start of the fall 2021 semester.

• Seating/desks will be spaced at least 3 feet apart.
• Fixed furniture and seating will be blocked off and clearly marked
• Moveable furniture not in use will be removed or moved to the perimeter of the room and blocked off and clearly marked.
• Wherever applicable, desks may be turned to face in the same direction (rather than facing each other), and seats arranged on only one side of tables.
• Wherever applicable, rooms may be configured to allow at least a 3-foot buffer between the instructor and first row of students, or the first row of seats could go unoccupied to provide a physical buffer.

Staffing and Office Spaces

• UH Mānoa supervisors will consider an employee’s request to voluntarily telework, where job functions can be performed remotely and the employee can be as functional and productive as when they are physically in the workplace. Refer to the university’s telework policy and forms for more details.
• UH Mānoa encourages units to maximize telework for employees who are members of high-risk populations as defined by the CDC.
• UH Mānoa will provide reasonable accommodations upon request to all employees with disabilities that will enable the employee to perform their essential job functions.
• Office workstations should be at least 3 feet apart.
• Where recommended physical distancing is not possible, supervisors should consider allowing employees to telework and/or work on-site in rotations, which limit the number of people in an office at any given time. These decisions will be made at the unit level.
• 3-foot physical distancing must also be followed in shared areas such as break rooms, reception areas and building/office entry and exit points.
• Meetings normally held in-person should be held virtually or by phone, whenever possible.
• Avoid gathering in groups or crowds, especially indoors.

Physical Barriers

• UH Mānoa will install physical barriers, such as clear sneeze guards and partitions, at public-facing transaction counters including student services, mail delivery, Hamilton Library and the Sinclair Student Success Center.

Food service establishments

• Campus dining establishments will offer takeout and will designate with signage, tape, or by other means 3-foot spacing for people in line to maintain appropriate distance.
• If seating is available, the furniture will be reconfigured or blocked off to follow 3-foot physical distancing guidelines.

Campus Cleaning and Disinfection

UH Mānoa has adopted new protocols for increased cleaning and disinfecting of public places, following Centers for Disease and Prevention Control (CDC) cleaning and disinfecting guidelines

• The UH Mānoa custodial staff will provide daily cleaning and disinfection of public spaces including classrooms, restrooms, lobbies and elevators.
• High-touch surfaces in public areas will be cleaned three times a day including door handles, elevator buttons, faucets and paper towel dispensers.
• A daily schedule for cleaning and disinfection will be posted in every building.
• Only cleaning and disinfection products approved by the Environmental Protection Agency and the CDC for use against COVID-19 are allowed.
• UH Mānoa shall provide adequate supplies, including soap, hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol, paper towels, tissues, disinfectant wipes, face masks (as feasible), face shields (as feasible and appropriate) and no-touch/foot-pedal trash cans.
• Hand sanitizer stations will be placed in every classroom, teaching laboratory and at the main entrance of every building.
• Hand wipe stations will be placed in every classroom and teaching laboratory.

Ventilation

• UH Mānoa will monitor and maintain air conditioning units in accordance with normal operating protocols. Please refer to the campus’ Heating, Ventilation and Air Conditioning Systems (HVAC) Coronavirus frequently asked questions (FAQs).