UF Research Adopting UF Campus COVID-19 Guidelines for Activities in Research

Effective May 2021, UF Research will adopt the UF Campus COVID-19 Guidelines found at https://coronavirus.ufl.edu/resources/health-guidance/ as the requirements for UF research activities, with the exception of certain human subject research. 

The previous requirements within the Research Resumption Plan, implemented last spring at the height of the pandemic, regarding limited numbers of persons per square foot, as well as the submission of proposed activities and personnel through the Research Activity Request portal, are no longer applicable. At present, the UF Campus COVID-19 guidelines include physical distancing, face coverings, hand hygiene, and isolation if ill. 

This alignment of COVID-19 safety guidance for research and non-research activities is based on the past year’s experiences managing transmission risks within UF workspace, laboratories, and classrooms; the current availability of vaccines to all adults in the state of Florida; and the University’s anticipated plans for the Summer B and Fall terms. Unified guidance across the institution is intended to make is easier for all employees and students to comply with the University’s requirements and expectations.

Human subject research that requires person-to-person proximity less than that prescribed by UF Campus COVID-19 Guidelines should follow the additional PPE guidance provided by UF Health at https://bridge.ufhealth.org/response/clinical-guidance-for-patient-care/.  At present, human subject research requires that research staff wear, at minimum, surgical masks and eye protection.

UF Research thanks all the members of the UF research community for their care and dedication during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Stay well.

David Norton, Vice President for Research, University of Florida.