| New Research Ramp-In Phase 3 – Effective Monday May 10
Physical distancing: Effective May 10, we will be relaxing our physical distancing requirements within research laboratories. In these spaces, individuals should coordinate to ensure they can maintain at least 3-foot spacing to others working in the lab, consistent with our growing understanding of risk factors in disease transmission. Everyone should strive to be as far as reasonably achievable (AFARA), up to the current 6-foot distancing. For example, if only two people are working in a 4-bay laboratory, they should not be working in the same bay, unless they can maintain a full 6 feet of spacing. Labs should also adjust schedules and workflows to minimize the amount of time that multiple individuals need to spend together in confined spaces (e.g., equipment or microscopy rooms). Each individual working on campus in a laboratory should continue to document when they are present and where they have worked.
Building opening hours: Starting May 10, there will no longer be any restrictions on building opening hours in research buildings. Dartmouth will then begin transitioning to follow updated CDC guidance with respect to the cleaning of high-touch surfaces, which acknowledge the limited role played by surface transmission of SARS-CoV-2. High-touch surfaces will be disinfected at least daily, consistent with those new guidelines. Within labs, as we return to unrestricted hours of operation, please ensure that lab members are safe, including implementation of in-person or electronic buddy systems, as appropriate.
Laboratory disinfection requirements: Similarly, starting May 10, laboratories may update their individual hygiene policies with respect to the disinfection of shared equipment and work surfaces. These areas should be disinfected daily (e.g., at the start of each day by the first user), but no longer require disinfection on a two-hour cycle. This change supersedes the requirement for two-hour cleaning cycles that was outlined in the Phase 1 Laboratory Cleaning and Disinfecting Guidelines. |
