Update on Research Activities

February 28, 2022

Dear Research Colleagues,

In light of declining COVID-19 cases and hospitalization rates, Chancellor Elliman announced that beginning today, Monday, February 28, the campus will no longer require vaccinated and boosted members of our campus community to wear masks or physically distance while on our campus, except when in clinical environments. In addition, pandemic-related restrictions on breaks and meals, as well as meetings, gatherings and events, will be removed effective February 28.

While the mask requirement is lifted, we encourage their continued use. We ask that you respect the choices of your colleagues and consider wearing your mask when in the company of others who may wish to continue masking while working together. Please note that some may be required by Occupational Health to wear a mask as part of their return to campus. 

Today I wanted to address how this announcement impacts our research community.

Research Labs:

• There are no restrictions regarding on-campus work (lab bench work, data analysis, etc.). Remote work options should be discussed with your supervisor.
• All in-person meetings, including lab meetings, are permitted.  A virtual option or hybrid model should be considered for colleagues who still wish to physically distance. 
• Badging will be required for research building and lab entry, but badging is no longer needed for movement between the floors in the research buildings.

Clinical/Community/Off-Campus Research:

• For university research spaces, mask wearing is at the discretion of the PI and research team except in clinical areas and when surgical masks are required for clinical interactions. 
• All space utilization will continue to be managed by the clinical research space operator.
• Continue to coordinate with our clinical/community partners and follow any masking requirements/COVID protocols required by individual facilities.

OLAR:

• There are no restrictions to work in the vivarium
• Please remember that masks are required when performing survival surgical procedures or working with hazardous materials, per the hazard SOP. 

Occupational Health:

• The team will continue performing case investigations and contact tracing. Please remember to self-report your status if you develop COVID-19 symptoms, test positive or have been exposed.
• COVID-19 testing will still be available through COVID Check Colorado locations.

Teaching:

• In-person classes will resume without occupancy restrictions. Distancing and masks are optional but recommended.

For questions or inquires specific to building access and protocols, please contact your COVID official.  Also, please visit the return to campus protocols website for more details and the latest information.

Our team will continue to monitor COVID trends and will reassess our protocols as needed. We appreciate your partnership and collaboration as we continue to advance our critical research mission. 

Sincerely,

Thomas Flaig, MD
Vice Chancellor for Research
University of Colorado Denver | Anschutz Medical Campus