COVID-19: Research and Wellness Information

Important links and documentation in relation to a phased resumption of university research activities that have been impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic can be found below.

IMPORTANT: New Updates Concerning Research Activities:

• General memo from Lori re: implications of the Ontario Provincial Emergency on research activities (January 15, 2021): https://research.utoronto.ca/implications-ontario-provincial-emergency-research-activities
• Human participant research-specific update (January 15, 2021): https://research.utoronto.ca/implication-ontario-state-emergency-research-involving-human-participants
• COVID-19 FAQ (January 15, 2021): https://research.utoronto.ca/covid-19
• Implication of the Lock Down Measures in Toronto & Peel on Research Activities (November 22, 2020)
• Human Research Ethics (November 22, 2020)

ADDENDUM TO ABOVE MEMOS: Researchers currently in other regions or countries conducting REB-approved in-person research, may continue, as long as they follow all applicable local public health directives and safety measures.  If you have any questions/concerning regarding safety while conducting in-person research, please contact EHS.office@utoronto.ca.

Please note, research and associated research staff in Grey Zone regions may not travel at this time to other regions or countries to conduct field research activities without a risk assessment being conducted by Occupational Health and Safety prior to travel; please contact EHS.office@utoronto.ca for further information and guidance. Final approval will be provided by the divisional research restart process, where there will need to be a justification for essential travel and essential research. If approved, please note, field researchers must ensure they are aware of and abide by any travel restrictions and local public health requirements at their research host location.

UTSC Research Restart Documentation:

• UTSC Research Restart Guidelines

UTSC Access Request Documentation:

• Faculty Request to Access Off-Campus Research Facilities

• Faculty Request to Access On-Campus Research Facilities

• SGS COVID-19 Graduate Students/Non-Employee Postdoctoral Fellows Acknowledgement: Conducting Research On-Campus or at Off-Campus Research Site form 

Division of the Vice-President Research & Innovation documentation to guide the recovery and adaptation of research:  

• Principles for Research Recovery & Adaptation

• Approach for Research Recovery & Adaptation
• Guideline for Reopening Research Spaces
• U of T Guidance for the Recovery of Human Research During the COVID-19 Pandemic

Division of the Vice-President & Provost guidelines:  

• Joint Provostial and Human Resources Guideline on Non‐Medical Masks

School of Graduate Studies (SGS) Research Re-Engagement:

• School of Graduate Studies (SGS) Research Engagement/Re-Engagement Planning webpage

Environmental Health & Safety (EHS) Resources:

• COVID-19 General Workplace Guideline (GWG)
• Standard UofT COVID-19 signage templates are now available through the EHS webpage (https://ehs.utoronto.ca/covid-19-information/) under the UofT posters for COVID-19 section. PIs and Lab Managers can print their own signs for usage in their labs.For bulk orders and floor decals, please send requests to ehs.utsc@utoronto.ca and EHS will work closely with the print shop on getting them printed.
• COVID19 Awareness Video for Research Laboratories

Wellness Resources:

• Support and Advice for Employees During COVID-19 Webpage​
  • The main page to access wellness supports for COVID-19 specific resources
  • sections on mental and emotional wellness
  • specific resources on anxiety, depression, stress, resilience and coping skills
• Wellness and Work from Home Toolkit​
  • A work from home toolkit to assist with mental, physical, social and team wellness
  • support for those working in isolation or in quarantine
  • sections on productivity, ergonomics and technology
• Employee and Family Assistance Program
  • counselling, coaching and support available 24/7
  • extensive online resources including tip sheets and online self-paced courses
  • specialized help available for anxiety, depression, stress and developing resilience/coping skills
• COVID-19 and The Impact on Your Mental Health (Webinar Recording)
• Wellness Calendar
  • topics include mental, physical, social and financial wellness
• The Wellness Hub​
  • central source for all wellness services, supports, and resources available to employees across the three campuses and by a range of internal and external providers

Should you have any questions, please contact: 

Sharon George (SSHRC and related grants), OVPRI Manager, Research Services and Partnerships

Jason Darby (NSERC, CIHR and related grants), OVPRI Research Administration Officer