University of Maryland Transitioning to Phase 2 for On-Campus Research Activities on August 24

University of Maryland Transitioning to Phase 2 for On-Campus Research Activities on August 24

Vice President for Research Laurie E. Locascio sent the following message to the University of Maryland research community on August 12, 2020:

Dear Colleagues, 

Today we are announcing that we will be transitioning to Phase 2 for on-campus research activities on August 24, 2020. Phase 2 is characterized as Intermediate Presence. If you are able to continue to do your research remotely, please do so and do not return to campus at this time. 

The University of Maryland initiated Phase 1, characterized as Limited Presence, on June 8, 2020. Given the extremely low levels of COVID-19 positive cases in the research community and no evidence of transmission within the research spaces, we feel confident that health and safety compliance is high and the working environment is ready to proceed to Phase 2. 

Phase 2 Requirements:

• Requirement 1. The UMD Safety Assuredness Procedures & Guidance Plan for Conducting Research During COVID-19: Update August 2020 may be found here in PDF format or here in MS Word format, and must be revised and approved by the Chair and the Dean prior to initiating Phase 2.

During Phase 2, laboratories and other research spaces will be allowed to function at 50% occupancy, provided it is possible to maintain the space requirements of at least 150 ft² per person. If you have been on campus during Phase 1, you will be required to provide an updated description of your plans for maintaining appropriate physical distancing with the increase in personnel in Phase 2. As with Phase 1, all of the necessary health and safety guidelines must continue to be strictly followed. These include requirements for physical distancing, face coverings, hand washing, and disinfecting spaces. In addition, everyone coming to campus must complete the Daily Symptom Monitoring survey available at return.umd.edu. No one should come to work if they are feeling sick.

• Requirement 2. Take a PCR based COVID-19 test no earlier than 14 days prior to returning to campus. 

All faculty, staff and students must provide a negative result from a PCR based COVID-19 viral test administered within 14 days prior to the employee's return or later. Free on-campus testing will be available during the weeks of 8/17, 8/24 and 8/31. Registration is available here. You may also be tested at a local testing site in your area. Reporting protocol for negative test results is forthcoming. Those who have been working on campus during Phase 1 are also required to be tested and should make arrangements to do so as soon as possible, but are permitted to continue working while awaiting their test results, provided they complete and meet the conditions of the Daily Symptom Monitoring requirement. 

As always, we are carefully monitoring the ever-changing public health situation. If the need arises, we may need to impose additional safety practices, or revert to Phase 1. 

The health and safety of our entire campus community is most important as we resume our critical research activities. 

Thank you for your collaboration,

Laurie E. Locascio
Vice President for Research

August 12, 2020