Laboratory Research – Activities Can Continue with Special Precautions and Modifications

Last Update: March 17, 2020

Research in laboratories is currently permitted to continue, although increasing safety precautions to reduce potential coronavirus exposure should be implemented. Reduced staffing can be anticipated, and working alone in potentially hazardous environments will continue to be prohibited. 

Animal Care support services will continue, but only to maintain current populations of animals. Please see the Animal Care section for details dated March 17, 2020 as well as a new policy on visitors in animal areas.

Research related to human subjects is temporarily restricted effective immediately. Please see announcement dated March 16, 2020.  

Work off site on grant-related activity (e.g., publications) is permitted under acceptable effort reporting.

To maintain research continuity, investigators are encouraged to prepare SOPs for activities, so that if further interruptions occur, work can resume when conditions permit.

Given the significant changes to normal operations, planned research activities should be reviewed by chairs. Communication to the college level can be made where there are broader implications of these decisions to continue or suspend activities.

Although no determination has been made, a suspension of all campus non-essential research is possible. The situation is extremely fluid, so faculty should begin planning for this eventuality immediately. For more detail see SVP Hsu’s message of 3/16/2020.