Updated Amendments to Phase 2 – On-Campus Research
Effective July 20, 2021
Overview
With the Province entering Step 3 and with guidance from infectious disease experts, we are continuing to reduce restrictions to Phase 2 of our Phased Return to Increased Research Activity. The amended directives are effective July 20, 2021. Information regarding a broader return to campus will be forthcoming as described in the July 19th Campus Update.
Please note, with the exception of what is described below, we still encourage meetings to be held remotely, as outlined in the Campus Update. As with previous phases, and in all cases, research conducted at a hospital site or McMaster Innovation Park must also adhere to site-specific SOPs and protocols.
Training of Research Personnel
Note: The addition of any research personnel, previously trained or new trainees, requires a simple amendment to your already approved Research Activity Plan. If you do not already have an approved Research Activity Plan, you must submit one before any training can begin.
Training of McMaster researchers (undergraduates, graduate students, PDFs, staff), non-McMaster volunteer researchers and visiting scientists working on McMaster-based research projects should be done remotely. When not possible, training is allowed under certain conditions; precautions required will depend on the category of the training.
Category 1: Training which maintains physical distancing greater than 2m.
Training that can be done from a distance of at least 2m is allowed provided the instructor and trainee(s) follow existing COVID-specific work processes and shared space protocols.
Category 2: Training from a distance of less than 2m that may include limited direct contact.
Training that requires the instructor and trainee to be within 2m of each other is allowed only under these conditions:
- Training is done on a “one-on-one” basis
- Both trainer and trainee follow all mask-use protocols
- All existing COVID-specific work processes including active screening and shared space protocols are followed.
Involvement of Human Participants (Amended on May 31, 2023)
Please refer to the revised MREB COVID-19 FAQs and the HiREB website for more information.
Procedures for Approval
Approvals are required for all activities described above. In all cases, as you are developing your plans, experts from McMaster Research Ethics Board (MREB), Hamilton Integrated Research Ethics Board (HiREB), Environmental & Occupational Health Support Services (EOHSS) and the Biosafety Office are available to provide guidance. Please contact directly for assistance.
If you are submitting your Research Activity Plan for the first time, please visit the Phased Return to Research Application Form Decision Tree.
If you are making an amendment to a previously approved Research Activity Plan, please use this portal.
If you are submitting your Research Activity Plan for the first time, and it does not involve human participant research please use this portal.
If your research involves human participants, please submit your Research Activity Plan to this portal.
Consultation with External Research Partners
Meetings with external research partners and stakeholders (collaborators, industry, community, and government representatives) are encouraged to take place remotely. In cases where that’s not feasible, all distancing and face-mask guidelines must be followed and an attendance record must be kept.