Dear Faculty and Staff,

The Province introduced a new stay-at-home order effective today, April 8, 2021 to help curb the transmission of COVID-19. The Leslie Dan Faculty of Pharmacy continues to comply with its reopening plans and procedures to align with public health measures, as well as the University’s guidelines and recommendations.  In the event further regulations are announced by the Province, we will provide further updates.

Our focus remains on teaching, research and supporting students as they complete the winter term. Faculty and staff should work from home unless otherwise required for operations.

I would like to provide the following update and reminder concerning teaching, rotations, research and building access.

Teaching, Rotations & Labs

Classes and exams continue to take place virtually with exceptions only for essential in-person teaching, including lab-based course instruction and practical training for health professions.

We expect lab-based courses and experiential education rotations to continue as scheduled, but this may change depending on how operations with key stakeholders evolve.

Research

Research activities will continue for those groups who have an approved Restart Research and Recovery plan for in-person research activities. However, all face-to-face research activities involving human subjects and off-campus research activities, which are not COVID-19 related, must stop.

All research staff and trainees should work remotely when possible.

Approved in-person research activities must follow the Red (Control) level of the LDFP Guidelines for Research Restart and Recovery.  This limits the maximum capacity to four persons per lab module (lab space + trainee office space). The maximum room capacity is four in the lab and three in the trainee office space.

Building Access

The building continues to be locked 24/7 and accessible only by fob for faculty and staff designated as essential.

Full-time faculty have FOB access to the building 24/7. Non-full-time faculty require approval to access the building. Staff who are not on the essential research list will not have FOB access to the building.

If you do not have FOB access and need to enter the building for an explicit purpose (i.e. pick-up mail, files, etc.), please seek approval from your manager and Tina Harvey-Kane, Director of Facilities Management.

Elevators are accessible by FOB only and capacity is restricted to ensure physical distancing.

Before entering the building, please complete the UCheck assessment and sign into the building using the QR code or manual sign in sheet at the entrance.  Please obey all signage providing guidance on how to safely access the elevators, stairwells, labs, bathrooms, etc.

Visitors, volunteers and guests are prohibited unless absolutely critical to being on site.

UCheck

UCheck is U of T’s self assessment health screening tool that generates a COVID risk status. It is required by all students, faculty and staff and is available online (UCheck) or by completing a paper-based log each time you come to campus (available at first floor reception). No one should come to campus if they receive a red status.

Meetings and Events

All meetings, including informal meetings with colleagues should be virtual unless absolutely necessary. Office space should be limited to just one person.  Course instructors who wish to record lectures in room 850 should make arrangements with Tina Harvey-Kane

No events are permitted to be booked at LDFP, unless for essential purposes that have been approved.

Masks

University Policy requires non-medical masks or face coverings to be worn indoors in common-use spaces on University property, including the Pharmacy Building. Please note that face shields are not a replacement for masks. Click here for U of T’s Mask FAQ.

Following Protocol

We all continue to have a shared interest and responsibility in being in a safe and healthy environment where everyone is following physical distancing protocol and has completed a (green) self-assessment.

It is critical that everyone follow public heath measures. Anyone who disregards mask/physical distancing protocol will lose building access privileges.

If you have any questions about safe building use or concerns, please contact: Tina Harvey-Kane, Director of Facilities Management.

U of T Occupational Health & Safety General Workplace Guidelines

  • If carpooling with another employee from outside your household, please refer to the guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
  • Only critical items should be made available for pick up (e.g. textbooks), and then only contactless.
  • Where one is meeting in-person with (A) someone who cannot wear a mask or face covering, (B) within 2 meters of the person and (C) not separated by an impermeable barrier, the worker must wear a non-medical mask or face covering, eye-protection (goggles) and face shield.

Further information can be found on our website page Reopening: Plans and Procedures and all faculty and staff are encouraged to stay informed about access and safety protocol, policies and procedures as our building operations and activities continue to evolve with public health and University guidelines.

Sincerely,

Lisa Dolovich,
Professor & Dean
Leslie Dan Faculty of Pharmacy
University of Toronto