*Will Fralin Biomedical Research Institute building doors remain locked?* Yes, doors/stairwells will be remain locked and require prox card access for the time being.
Is after hours work permitted at the institute? Yes, it is permitted (actually rotating shifts is labs is encouraged when possible and voluntarily agreeable to all parties) for people who have received permission of their supervisor, have had their supervisor notify the Fralin Biomedical Research Institute Human Resources office (Ms. Pamela Stell) of that permission, including where the person will primarily be located when on site and approximately what days/hours they plan to be on site. The receptionist desk will not be staffed after regular work hours such that persons arriving to work after regular work hours are on the honor system for those times but still MUST complete the online questionnaire for each day and receive a green go in order to enter the building.
Do I have to re-check in at reception each time that I leave and re-enter the institute on a given day? No, you only have to do that one time on a given day when you first arrive at the building; you do not have to check in at reception every time you leave the building and re-enter during that day.
Are visitors allowed into the research institute? For the most part, no. Please do not bring visitors/family members to the building during this period. Outside visitors are being strictly limited to include a few small scheduled vendors plus deliveries, etc. No human subjects for research are currently being allowed in the buildings. When they are allowed in again, they will have to follow strict screening protocols for building entry and being escorted to/from research sites.
Where should I eat my lunch or snack? Please try to avoid having several people eating in small break rooms simultaneously. Outside spaced dining is strongly encouraged.
Can I travel and then return to work at the Fralin Biomedical Research Institute immediately thereafter? For the moment, travel anywhere outside the immediate Roanoke Valley/New River Valley general region triggers a block on entering the building upon return for 14 days. This policy is being considered and we are in the process of working on a more detailed follow up approach on that for specific circumstances with commuting to some areas a little more distant. Meanwhile, if you travel out of the local area (for vacation, etc. but not internationally), instead of having to avoid entering the Fralin Biomedical Research Institute for 14 days after return, you may be re-cleared upon completing and submitting a negative COVID-viral PCR test taken after your return.
