General Guidelines

• Applies to all researchers/research personnel and visitors accessing Research Facilities on campus.
• See Latest Updates for Research Continuity: Prior approval is no longer required for access to research facilities however the documentation should be updated as necessary.
• Covid-19 Induction Training & Return to Work Forms no longer required.
• See Latest Updates for Research Continuity for all current institutional measures for researchers in place.
• Also, see information on the the Campus Business Continuity Team sharepoint Local-Unit-FAQs and EMT/covid19/campus-latest/
• Covid-19 Response Plans are living documents and must be updated in accordance with the Campus Business Continuity Team (CBCT) Guidelines for updating Covid-19 Response Plan Documents-Buildings.
• The Covid-19 Response Plan documentation, includes:
  • COVID-19 RESPONSE PLANS;
  • Risk Assessments.
• Occupancy figures are no longer required, see Latest Updates for Research Continuity.
• Access for Desk-based research/write-up spaces/office work activities are permitted with appropriate measures in place. See  Desk-based research, write-up areas, office spaces regarding social distancing, ventilation and face-mask requirements. 
• Face-to-face meetings, conferences etc., see Latest Updates for Research Continuity and CBCT Guidance on meetings, events, conferences etc.

Updating Covid-19 Response Plans

Updating Covid-19 Response Plan for UCC Research Facilities

• See and apply Latest Updates for Research Continuity
• It is recommended to use the Template Covid-19 Response Plan-Access to Research Facilities, available at Templates and Resources for Research Continuity, along with the Campus Business Continuity Team Unit Operational/Response Plan to draft/update the Covid-19 Response Plan-Access to Research Facilities.
• At this time, and in practice, Covid-Response Plans for access to research facilities are already in place and approved. However these must be updated to reflect, and in accordance with, the current measures in place, see CBCT Guidance for Updating Covid-19 Response Plan Documentation-Buildings.
• In drafting a new, or updating an existing, Covid-19 Response Plan for Access to Research Facilities, consult with the CBCT Returning to Campus on the following:
• Resumption of Activities Procedure
• A template for a Unit Covid-19 Response Plan
• Lead Worker Representatives
• Covid-19 Infection Control Measures
• Covid-19 Risk Assessment Guide & Risk Assessment Template
• Preparing for and dealing with a suspected case of Covid 19
• Building Plans
• Posters
• UCC Covid-19 Tracker and Day Pass APP
• Other important templates available on (the CBCT) Returning to Campus guidelines include the following:
• Resumption of Activities Checklist
  
  

Covid-19 Response Plan: Guidance on Content - Coversheet/Introduction

See the Template Covid-19 Response Plan-Access to Research Facilities, available at Templates and Resources for Research Continuity.

• Include the name/location of your research facility
• The revision number of the Covid-19 Response Plan (ie Revision 1/2/3 etc.)
• The author/s of the Covid-19 Response Plan 
• Details of Covid-19 Response Team and Persons of Responsibility
• Details of Lead Worker Representatives
• The name, authorised - Head of School/RICU, or where delegated the Head of Department/equivalent, 
• Contents (list contents of the Covid-19 Response Plan, and associated documentation).
• Resumption of Activities Checklist
• A Signed Statement of Assurance from the Head of Unit
• A Policy Statement (see, National/Institutional Policies & Guidance).

COVID-19 Risk Assessment - should be updated and included as part of your Covid-19 Response Plan documentation. 

Covid-19 Response Plan: Guidance on Content - Main Body

See the Template Covid-19 Response Plan-Access to Research Facilities, available at Templates and Resources for Research Continuity.

The main body of the Covid-19 Response Plan should include the following details, which should be updated to reflect changes in institutional/national policy, see  and institutional guidance, see Latest Updates for Research Continuity and Emergency Management Team-Teaching Delivery, Research, and On-Campus Activity

• Covid-19 Infection Control Measures
  • Infection Control Measures, including provision of PPE, hand sanitisation and hand washing facilities, cleaning materials.
  • Cleaning: Both professional and regular/daily sufficient sanitisation by research personnel of touch points, shared facilities, bench/desk areas.
  • Regular cleaning is the responsibility of all researchers/personnel to clean commonly used surfaces (touch points) and shared equipment.
  • Research facilities should be cleaned by professional cleaners on a daily basis.
  • Commonly used surfaces, shared equipment are to be visibly clean and cleaned regularly with products containing 70% ethanol, except in areas in and around Bunsen Burners.
  • Virkon should not be used as it is an irritant.
  • Shared equipment should be cleaned with 70% ethanol before and after each use.
• Social distancing requirements
  • See Latest Updates for Research Continuity
• Face mask requirements
  • Strongly recommended to continue to wear facemasks, see Latest Updates for Research Continuity.
  • See HSE Guidelines on Face Masks
  • Face Visors are not acceptable substitutes for Face Masks, but some research protocols may require the use of face visors in addition to masks.
  • Researchers must wear face masks in communal areas and where circulating the building.
• Preparing for and dealing with a suspected case of Covid 19
  • Detail accordingly, including managing and supporting individuals to exit the building, or if the person cannot leave the building straight away, detaile the measures in place to escort the person to/from the isolation room.
  • Location of isolation room/s, access/egress routes (building/isolation room).
  • Reporting procedures.
• Breaks and Eating
  • Detail in accordance with the CBCT template for a Unit Covid-19 Response Plan.
• Managing congregational areas
  • Congregating in eating areas and commonly use areas such as foyers, corridors etc. must be avoided. 
  • Management of commonly used areas and facilities: toilets, corridors foyers, photocopiers, locker area, eating facilities etc. must be outlined.
•   see details below on this page.
• Meetings
  • Outline how meetings will be managed, cognisant of updated institutional measures, see  and institutional guidance from the Emergency Management Team-Teaching Delivery, Research, and On-Campus Activity. 
• Recording Daily Access to Facilities *no longer required
• Additional health & safety arrangements – waste management, managing dangerous occurrences onsite.
• Car Park Arrangements *no longer required

 Appendices

• Details of adequate signage and information throughout the research facility
• A map of the building illustrating location of the isolation room/s. 
• Any other relevant additional Appendices (as outlined in CBCT Resumption of Activities Procedure, and the CBCT Unit Covid-19 Response Plan).

Desk-based research, write-up areas, office spaces

Covid-19 Response Plans should include a section relating to desk-based research/office work, as necessary.

Face masks and desk-based research:

See Latest Updates for Research Continuity for guidance on facemasks and physical distancing.

In detailing this section, include the following considerations (applying as necessary):

• Capacity & Ventilation
• Clearly outline the cross-infection protocols in place for desk-based research activities.

Visiting Researchers

Management of visiting researchers (and protocols) should outline the following, as necessary: 

• Visiting researchers include:
  • Research Students from other HEIs
  • Visiting Researchers form other institutions/organisations/industry
  • Visiting Researchers from abroad
• These protocols should detail who is the UCC personnel responsible for ensuring that visitors are made aware of and adhere to Covid-19 protocols and measures in place.
• Visiting Researchers, should be appropriately insured. Note, it is no longer a requirement for visitors to undertake Induction Training and complete a Return to Work Form.
• International Visitors:
  • Liaise with Head of School/RICU Director and/or research management regarding approval requirements for international visitors.
  • International visitors should be facilitated to gain access to the  UCC Covid-19 Tracker and Day Pass APP
  • See Guidelines for Travel for Research  for further information.

Ventilation

• Adequate ventilation must be ensured in research areas including laboratories, write-up areas, areas for desk-based research, office spaces. Details on ventilation should be outlined. See, Latest Updates for Research Continuity, the national Work Safely Protocol guidance on ventilation and Transitional Protocol: Good Practice Guidance for Continuing to Prevent the Spread of COVID-19

• For institutional guidance, see Mechanical Ventilation FAQs, UCC Ventilation Policy and Buildings and Estates | University College Cork (ucc.ie) for further support and information.