Dear School of Medicine Faculty,
As you just heard from Vice Chancellor for Research Pramod Khargonekar, UCI research labs can begin to cautiously and gradually transition to Phase 3 research effective April 5, 2021.
The most important divergence from Phase 2 is that in Phase 3, there is no UCI-defined % occupancy limit. In its place, PIs must plan their space usage to ensure 6-foot physical distancing between personnel at all times.
Our responsibility as School of Medicine principal investigators is to ensure that we can safely implement this exciting and much-anticipated expansion in our research activities. The SOM Office of Research has created a form in Qualtrics that PIs transitioning to Phase 3 research must complete in order to create a Research Activities Plan-Phase 3. This will act as an addendum to your Phase 2 plan.
On opening the Qualtrics form, in addition to basic identifying questions, you are asked to complete information about Research Space & Physical Distancing. Please revise, as necessary, the limits from your Phase 2 plan to reflect updates based on Phase 3 ramp-up, i.e., new room-by-room occupancy limits you are requesting that permit 6-foot physical distancing. Provide explanations where necessary, e.g., how many people will occupy a single bay in specific rooms.
At the end of the form, you will be asked to read and agree to the following:
- I have reviewed the Framework for UCI Phased Research Activities on the UCI Research Continuity website which describes Phase 3 research in detail.
- While Phase 3 encompasses all research activities that personnel can perform safely, I am committed to consistently following required and voluntary safety protocols and protective measures to mitigate virus transmission.
- I understand that while Phase 3 research eliminates the population density requirement, I will adhere to a research space population density policy of at least six (6) feet between occupants.
- I will continue to maintain the calendaring system I created for Phase 2 to facilitate the new Phase 3 population density policy.
- I understand that all lab personnel must continue to complete wellness check-ins on the days that they will be working on site.
- I will discuss with my laboratory personnel the importance of adhering to a lab plan that will ensure the new Phase 3 population density policy.
- I will familiarize myself with and adhere to the latest visitor policies.
- I understand that I must follow all CDC guidance; state and local public health directives; the Cal/OHSA distancing requirement of at least 6 feet between people, which remains in effect regardless of vaccination status; and all UCI Executive Directives (especially the directive on face coverings), the Framework for UCI Phased Research Activities, and other UCI-issued requirements and guidelines (e.g., from EH&S and UCI Health.)
- I am aware that EH&S spot checks will continue as a key component of Phase 3.
- I understand that all work that can be performed remotely should continue to be performed remotely and that the move to Phase 3 apples only to laboratory research personnel and not to administrative staff who work under the guidelines of Human Resources.
- I am aware that as we move forward, a reversion to Phase 2 might become necessary.
Following this attestation, you must save your Phase 3 plan as a PDF that you will email to your department chair/unit head for review. After chair/unit head review and approval, send a PDF of your plan along with evidence of approval to Emily Dawidoff at edawidof@hs.uci.edu, who is maintaining folders for all plans.
Please also note the following:
- If you do not have a Phase 2 ramp-up plan, you will need to complete the Phase 2 Ramp Up Plan and Phase 3 addendum. Please contact edawidof@hs.uci.edu with any questions.
- If you have existing exceptional approvals to the 6-foot distancing policy for specific activities as part of your Phase 2 plan, you may continue these. If you are requesting new exceptions, include the requests in the text box in your Phase 3 addendum, and explain safety procedures to minimize risk.
- For specific questions about human subject research, please contact Vice Dean for Clinical Research, Daniela Bota at dbota@hs.uci.edu.
- Please be aware that increased occupancy of labs will also mean increased occupancy in corridors, elevators, break rooms, etc. Be courteous to your colleagues, refrain from eating in research buildings, and wear your mask at all times inside.
- Read the UCI School of Medicine: Research Insider emails on Tuesday evenings for updates and clarifications to Phase 3 activities, visitor policies, and other aspects of research and COVID safety.
Your efforts and sacrifices have prevented COVID transmission in our labs and permitted us to continue Phase 2 activities and now move to Phase 3. At this important juncture, it is critical that we continue to remain vigilant and follow all safety guidelines, especially with the possibility of another wave beginning around the country. Please continue your excellent work in keeping us safe and productive as we increase lab occupancy and ramp up our research activities at UCI.
Sincerely,
Geoff Abbott, PhD
Vice Dean, Basic Research
|
