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Phase 1 of McMaster’s return to research activities

Research activities to increase no later than June 1

New guidance provided by the province gives universities the ability to increase their research activities. Acting vice-president of Research, Karen Mossman, in an update letter to the McMaster community, says that the new directives allow the university to begin to implement Phase One of its research recovery plan. While working from home continues to be the preferred option for research, a process will be in place to open more research areas in a safe and secure manner.

The letter can be found here.

Operations Group fully active and preparing campus for next phases of recovery

Leaders from units across the university are continuing to meet as an operational group to ensure that McMaster is ready to be up and running as opportunities to bring more activities to campus unfold. Sub-committees are looking at the details needed to support health and safety protocols, human resources issues, wayfinding, signage and building exit and entry strategies, cleaning, security and parking along with access to libraries and other university facilities.

The HR COVID19 website has been updated to provide the latest Health and Safety Guidance documents that will be helpful for all managers to review, including a new webpage containing all recovery information.

Planning at the university is also happening in units across the institution as well as through the Crisis Management Group, Provost Council and the President and Vice-President’s group (PVP).  All planning should be guided by the approach the president shared with the community on May 12.
  • We will continue to be guided by Public Health Ontario directives and advice. This advice is dynamic and will continue to change as the provincial recovery unfolds.
  • In alignment with current Public Health guidance, masks will not be required on campus, save in specific cases such as labs where personal protective equipment (PPE) would have been required for normal operations, health-care settings, or special circumstances such as certain cleaning operations.
  • Individuals may choose to wear a mask in other situations. That is a personal choice.
  • Everyone who is not considered part of an essential service should continue to work at home, if they are able to do so. More people will be invited to return to our campuses as the university begins to reopen, but for now we are asking people to continue to work from home.
  • Self-monitoring for symptoms will continue to be important. Anyone who feels unwell should not come to campus, and should follow the advice on Ontario’s COVID-19 self-screening website.
 COVID-19 Updates