Hamilton enters grey-lockdown zone as of Monday

December 18, 2020

The province has announced that Hamilton will be entering the grey-lockdown zone as of 12:01 a.m. Monday, December 21. Current protocols on campus are already largely aligned with the new rules that will be in place, however, there will be changes in research operations at the university.  Hamilton’s Mayor Fred Eisenberger has indicated that there could be additional restrictions announced on Monday.

The lockdown will be in effect for a minimum of 28 days.

Additional details will be available after the new regulation information is reviewed to determine any additional impacts on the university.

Research during lockdown

With Hamilton moving into lockdown, McMaster is implementing new research directives, specifically with respect to the Training of Research Personnel and Research Involving Human Participants.

Effective Monday, December 21, 2020, 12:01 a.m. researchers must adhere to the following research directives:

 Updated from Phase 2 On-Campus Research:

  • Training of Research Personnel is limited to only that which maintains physical distancing of greater than 2m (Category 1);
  • Involvement of In-Person Human Participants (Categories 1 – 4) is suspended;
  • Consultation with External Research Partners is no longer permitted on campus.

NOTE: Contractors involved in the repair and maintenance of research equipment are permitted on campus.

 Updated from Phase 2 Fieldwork Activity:

  • Training of Research Personnel is limited to only that which maintains physical distancing of greater than 2m (Category 1);
  • Involvement of In-Person Human Participants is suspended;
  • Consultation with External Research Partners is no longer permitted.

NOTE: The provincial government has advised that non-essential travel be avoided particularly from areas of high transmission to areas of low transmission. Please be mindful of the local protocols and restrictions of the region in which you’re conducting your fieldwork.

 Essential research, as previously defined by the University and which meets the criteria cited below, is permitted:

  • Responds to the COVID-19 pandemic – includes only COVID-specific research across the University
  • Involves clinical trials or intervention studies with patients who need to be monitored
  • Must be maintained for health and safety reasons
  • Must be continued for ethical reasons, such as some animal studies

In essence, we’ve returned to Phase 1, with the only exception of being able to train research personnel if socially distanced.

Additional information is available on the Vice-President, Research website.

COVID-19 Testing

COVID testing is important if you shows and symptoms of COVID or if you have been in close contact with someone with a confirmed case. Testing in Hamilton can be booked on line at COVID-19 Test Home – St. Joseph’s Healthcare Hamilton (stjoes.ca)

If you’ve had a COVID test you must self-isolate while waiting for the result

If you’re a close contact of someone with COVID you need to self-isolate for 14 days

COVID-19 Reporting Tool in Mosaic

McMaster asks all students, faculty and staff to go onto Mosaic to report positive COVID-19 test results or close contact with an individual who has tested positive for COVID-19.

This tool will help the university track confirmed and probable cases on campus and ensure appropriate cleaning and safety protocols are put into place promptly.

The results from this optional reporting are sent directly to McMaster’s Rapid Response team to ensure appropriate measures are taken where required.

McMaster COVID-19 information is available on the university COVID-19 website