Research

Updated January 7, 2022.

Although the DMNB building is not closed at this time, access is limited to those supporting only essential on-site research activities and curriculum program delivery until you hear otherwise. If your home environment is not a conducive place to work or you need to pick up the items/supplies necessary to perform your job, you may go into the DMNB building during this time without needing to submit a request in advance.

Please note that, if any of our research staff are entering the hospital at any time, they MUST follow Horizon rules for self-testing, monitoring, and isolation. Please check with Horizon for further updates.

Current restrictions in the DMNB building

• DO NOT enter the building if you have COVID-19 symptoms, have tested positive for COVID, or are a close contact of someone who has tested positive for COVID. See below for further details.
• In all areas of the building, you must always wear the orange/pink surgical masks provided onsite (or a fit-tested N95 mask if you have personal issue masks).
• In the research areas, including the lab and research rooms, you must always wear the orange/pink surgical masks provided onsite (or a fit-tested N95 mask if you have personal issue masks) IN ADDITION TO a full-face shield. We also encourage you to wear gloves as much as possible. Consider the work environment as a high-risk environment.
• Eating or drinking in groups within the building is not recommended at this time. If you must be present in the DMNB building for an extended period and need to unmask for eating or drinking purposes, you must do so in the piano lounge. No more than 3 people may eat or drink in the piano lounge at a time and they must all be appropriately distanced. Do not congregate in a group. This may present some challenges, so you may want to discuss options with your team.
• Always ensure appropriate social distancing (a minimum of 6 feet apart) in all spaces within the building. 
• Ensure that you are continuing to sanitize work and common surfaces before and after use. Wipes, cleaning solution, and paper towel are readily available within the building.
• At this time, we ask that ALL meetings be made virtual.
• The limit of 3 people/bench remains in place.

Information on testing and self-isolating

• At this time, Public Health is NOT recommending an asymptomatic testing program.
• Rather, if you have COVID-19 symptoms and are:
  • Over the age of 50, live/work in a hospital, are immunocompromised, or are pregnant, you are eligible for a PCR test and can register for one online.
  • Under the age of 50, register online to get your Point-of-Care rapid test kit.
• If you have a:
  • NEGATIVE rapid test and your symptoms worsen or new symptoms develop, test again.
  • POSITIVE rapid test, you need to report it online. Do not test again.
    • Should you test POSITIVE on a PCR or Point-of-Care rapid test, you are considered a positive case. You must:
      • Inform your close contacts. Close contacts generally include household contacts and may also include people with whom you regularly interact at work or elsewhere.
      • Inform Jennifer Skinner, Research Manager at DMNB (jennifer.skinner@dal.ca).
      • Self-isolate for a minimum of 5 days, and longer if symptoms persist.
• If you are the household contact of someone who tests POSITIVE for COVID, you must self-isolate for a minimum of 5 days, and longer if symptoms persist.
• If you are a non-household contact of someone who tests POSITIVE for COVID, it is recommended that you self-monitor for 5 days. If symptoms develop, register online to get your Point-of-Care rapid test kit.
• NOTE: If you have COVID-19 symptoms and are waiting for a PCR or Point-of-Care rapid test, we ask that you STAY HOME.

Please consult the Dalhousie Faculty of Medicine COVID-19 page or UNB COVID-19 information and updates page for more information. There is also more information on the Government of New Brunswick website around testing, testing positive for COVID, isolation, and contact tracing.