There are important, temporary changes to the biosecurity protocol for animal facilities managed by the Office of Research in consideration of coronovirus disease (COVID-19). The present risk necessitates modifications to the standing biosecurity protocol to protect staff and ensure continuity of animal welfare and care.
The following biosecurity updates apply to all animal facilities managed by the Office of Research (a complete list can be found below):
- Students, researchers and essential visitors* who have travelled to a country with a Level 1, 2 or 3 Travel Restriction as identified by the CDC for COVID-19 should be in Canada for at least 14 days and free from symptoms of illness prior to entering an animal facility.
*Essential visitor is defined as any person with necessary and time-sensitive business at an animal research facility, such as contractors, technicians, and government officials.
- No new tours of animal or livestock facilities will be scheduled until further notice.
Already scheduled tours will proceed as planned, absent any attendee who has travelled within the past 14 days to a country with a confirmed case of COVID-19.
Please see the memorandum from Dr. Malcolm Campbell, Vice-President (Research) announcing the enhanced biosecurity protocol.
Additional information is available online at uoguelph.ca/alliance/biosecurity
The enhanced biosecurity protocol applies to the following facilities (in alphabetical order):
- Alma Aquaculture Research Station
- Arkell Research Station (swine, poultry and equine facilities)
- Central Animal Facility
- New Liskeard Beef Research Facility
- Ontario Beef Research Centre (Elora Research Station)
- Ontario Dairy Research Centre (Elora Research Station)
- Ponsonby General Animal Facility
- Ponsonby Sheep Facility
- Research Isolation Unit