Dear Birck Research Community,

Per Dr. Theresa Mayer’s announcement below, research spaces across campus are opening up to pre-COVID capacities.  This is great news for the whole Purdue research enterprise and specifically for Birck this means several changes are taking place, per the following:

1. Effective immediately the Birck laboratories will not have capacity limits.  Door signs stating the capacity limits have been removed, and scheduling time in PASS to work in the labs is no longer required.
2. Also effective immediately SOP reviews to gain access to the building and to specific labs will no longer be necessary.  Contact tracing can still be done using our card-reader system.
3. The seven person limit in the cleanroom gowning room is eliminated.
4. The one person limit in our air showers is still strongly encouraged, but not an absolute requirement.
5. On Monday, June 28^th the Birck facility itself returned to pre-COVID access, meaning that the public doors will be unlocked from 6:00 am to 6:00 pm on weekdays.  Other times the building will be locked per our former procedure.
6. Since face masks are still required for non-vaccinated people after July 1 we will retain the mask supply and safety glasses at the entrance until July 30. 
7. In the cleanroom, those who are not vaccinated will still be required to wear a face mask under their cleanroom veil.
8. Prolonged office work in BRK by laboratory researchers is no longer actively discouraged.  Laboratory researchers are encouraged to utilize BRK office space as needed and most appropriate for their work.
9. The 6 foot social distancing at all times is no longer an absolute requirement, but please continue to respect the personal space of others.
10. Consultation and meetings may utilize BRK conference rooms as long as they adhere to posted capacity limits. These limits may be further relaxed in the future.
11. Fume hoods may be used by multiple individuals, provided additional individuals have obtained verbal permission from the user(s) currently working in the hood.

We have all been looking forward to when some of our COVID restrictions could be relaxed, and this is a welcome start to returning to normal research operations. 

Thank you,

The Birck Leadership Team

From: purdueresearch@purdue.edu <purdueresearch@purdue.edu>
Sent: Thursday, June 24, 2021 7:02 PM
To: Reger, Ronald K <rreger@purdue.edu>
Subject: Corrected: Research Space 100% Capacity

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A previous version of this message went out in error. We apologize for any confusion.

Dear Research Community,

We are pleased to announce that effective immediately, research spaces can return to pre-COVID-19 operations, with the exception of the continued use of face masks. Face mask usage will become optional for those who are vaccinated, beginning July 1. This will enable researchers to return to 100% capacity in their research spaces. As a result, any layout, scheduling, or other changes implemented to accommodate COVID-19 can be rescinded and these components of Research Space SOPs will be unnecessary. In conjunction with this, IRB approval will no longer require an approved Research Space SOP. However, we ask that you continue to keep your personnel lists updated through the SOP portal to facilitate continued tracking of any research COVID-19 cases, particularly as we implement this relaxation of protocols. Should you require the support of Facilities to modify your research spaces, this can be accomplished through a work order.

In response to these or any other changes implemented across campus, you should not be tracking or requiring proof of vaccination from others in your group. In alignment with Protect Purdue policies, we expect individuals to take personal responsibility for following guidelines.

This decision has been made with input from the Protect Purdue Leadership Team and the Medical Advisory Team and affects all researchers, regardless of vaccination status. Around this time last year, we were beginning to re-open research spaces and allow researchers back into their labs under COVID-19 restrictions. Because of your diligence in following the protocols developed in your SOPs, we are thrilled that we are in the position to re-open operations. Thank you for your flexibility, hard work, and dedication during this time. Should you have any questions, please contact Michelle Dennis at mlong1@purdue.edu.

Thanks,

Theresa Mayer
Executive Vice President for Research and Partnerships

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