Dear Colleagues,
Memorial Day may be a few weeks away, but the unofficial start to a MBL summer of science began last week with the kick off of our first two Advanced Research Training Courses (ARTCs) of the season—Analytical and Quantitative Light Microscopy and Frontiers in Reproduction.
We are looking forward to welcoming back a full schedule of programs during the summer of 2022, with the added protection of widespread vaccination against COVID-19 and a host of other safety precautions.
In addition to the ARTCs, the Whitman Center will host nearly 300 fellows, investigators, and support staff this summer, and undergraduates participating in the NSF REU, Metcalf, and other internship programs will be working alongside MBL faculty.
Our resumption of programming is very good news, however as the MBL—and indeed our nation and our world—takes on a more “normal” posture, the coronavirus continues to evolve. Massachusetts, like many other states, is experiencing an increase in COVID-19 cases due to BA.2 variant. While the impact of BA.2 is not causing as severe a situation in Massachusetts as was experienced earlier in the pandemic, this highly contagious variant is trending upward and requires that we proceed cautiously.
As always, MBL’s COVID-19 policies rely on the guidance of public health and medical experts. We will continue to plan our operations and programming with the principles of ensuring the safety of our employees and the local community which have guided us through the pandemic.
As we approach the season ahead, we appreciate your continued care when it comes to COVID-19 precautions. If you have questions about the information provided below, please email coronavirusinfo@mbl.edu.
Thank you for your continued care and attention related to COVID-19 matters.
Paul Speer
Chief Operating Officer
VaccinationA reminder that all program visitors are required to be fully vaccinated with only rare exemptions permitted. This requirement applies to everyone living in MBL housing or working in research labs or any MBL facility.
Personal Health Awareness
Please remember to monitor your health and stay home if you are feeling ill and until symptoms have resolved. If you get tested because you have been a close contact of someone with COVID-19, please wear a mask around others until you receive a negative result and stay home.
Testing
We have a weekly mandatory testing program for anyone who is not vaccinated. Weekly testing is also available to fully vaccinated individuals on a voluntary basis. We will use rapid testing to address potential symptomatic cases.
Contact Tracing
We will continue to do contact tracing per CDC exposure guidelines. Anyone who is a known close contact of someone with COVID-19 must wear a face covering around others for 10 days from the date of their last contact with someone with COVID-19. Please see MBL’s exposure protocol for more information.
Masks
Masks are optional in most campus spaces including research laboratories, office settings, dormitories, and dining spaces, but they are required in select situations including instructional settings (e.g., classrooms, teaching labs), while educational content is being delivered in other spaces (e.g., MRC tours), and at any event open to the public.
Events
All social events and/or those with food or alcohol must be held outdoors until further notice. Events such as the Friday Evening Lectures will be open to the public and at full venue capacity. Visit the Event Requirements page for more information.
Building Access
MBL buildings will continue to be accessible by MBL Card only. Doors will be unlocked for public events such as the Friday Evening Lectures, but only for the duration of the event.
VisitorsWe will continue to require all campus visitors to register prior to arriving on campus. This includes day visitors and vendors. It does not include members of the public taking a tour or attending a public event. See the Campus Visitor and Vendor page for more information.
Please note an important change for research visitors: Any individuals visiting research laboratories (including those visiting resident faculty laboratories, those visiting for the day, or whose hosts are faculty or research staff) should register through the Whitman visiting research registration.
All other individuals visiting for administrative purposes or whose hosts are not faculty or research staff should continue to register through the form on the Campus Visitor and Vendor page.