April 7, 2020
Given ongoing concerns related to social distancing and the impact of travel on communities, non-essential fieldwork should remain on hold for the immediate future. To continue, this work must first be declared essential by your department chair or Dean, as relevant, and fulfill requirements set by your faculty.
Final sign-off must also be provided by the Vice-President (Research), using the linked form. [PDF]
Research Western appreciates the impact these decisions have on your research projects and programs, particularly for graduate students. Our first priority is to protect Western’s students, trainees, staff, faculty and our surrounding communities.
Proposed fieldwork must consider the following:
- Limit field work to essential, time-sensitive tasks
- Follow directives of all governments, municipalities, communities and public health boards, including by respecting wishes to limit visitors to and from the area
- Adhere to public health guidance related to social distancing
- Minimize the number of participants at a given time and location
- Limit interaction with the general public
- Where possible, travel directly from home to the field site
- Where impossible to travel in separate vehicles, maximize seating distance and use separate entrances in multi-row vehicles
- Disinfect and avoid sharing equipment
- Use hand sanitizer regularly
- Do not participate in field research if you are exhibiting symptoms of COVID-19
photo credit: sardinista Closed – sorry via photopin (license)
