1. Physical distancing is an important mitigation strategy. The goal is to maintain at least 6 ft of distance between individuals and to avoid direct contact. This is to avoid transference of droplets through the air or through direct physical contact in order to minimize transmission.
2. Physical distancing guidelines are intended to avoid close contact.
3. As much distancing as possible should be maintained at all times. Risk related to exposure does not drop to zero when 6 feet away from a person. Depending on circumstances, virus can be transmitted over much greater distances and time. Care should always be taken.
4. It is not just the being within 6 ft, it is also the time within that distance. Do not spend unnecessary time within six ft of other individuals.
5. All physical spaces should be set up to allow 6 ft physical distancing whenever possible.
6. When physical distancing cannot be maintained because of activity requirements (e.g. care of an animal), time spent within 6 ft of other people should be minimized.
7. When it is not possible to have 6 ft distance, physical barriers (e.g. plexiglass shields) are also effective. Avert your face when passing or working together in close quarters.
8. Only one person is permitted at a time in an elevator.
9. Furniture locations and maximum occupancy numbers for rooms should be respected.
   1. All common areas and meeting rooms require a seating plan to maintain a distance of six feet between people.
   2. People using these rooms must only sit in designated seats.
   3. Total occupancy and air flow are also important.
10. Use of PPE (see PPE policy) is required at all times, as it will help to mitigate risk when physical distancing is not possible.
11. Students should not spend time within a six-foot distance of clients unless it is unavoidable. Follow all clinic and hospital policies regarding client interactions.
    1. In most cases, direct interaction with clients will be prohibited.
    2. Communicate whenever possible by telephone, facetime, or other visual apps.

1. Wash your hands regularly and use hand sanitizer when soap and water are not available.
   1. Wash hands for at least 20 seconds with soap and water or use hand sanitizer for at least 20 seconds.
   2. Wash your hands before you eat, after you eat, before and after touching your face or mask, whenever you do a procedure, when you use the toilet, and sometimes just because you haven’t done it recently.
   3. Wash your hands immediately before working together with a colleague on a case.
   4. Wash your hands or use hand sanitizer after contact with high touch surfaces such as phones and door handles.
   5. Hand sanitizer is distributed around the buildings in areas with high touch surfaces. However, it is strongly recommended that all individuals carry personal hand sanitizer and/or hand wipes for personal use.
2. Clean your workspace and high touch surfaces regularly.
   1. Facilities staff clean communal high-touch areas regularly.
   2. Clean personal spaces regularly. Keep them free of paper and clutter so they can be easily cleaned.
   3. Clean all common computer keyboards and phones before and after use.
   4. Use provided cleaning materials.
3. Do not touch your face unless you have just washed your hands.
4. Cough into a tissue or the crook of your elbow. Dispose of any used tissue immediately.
5. Do not hug, shake hands, bump fists, bump elbows, give air kisses, or use other close forms of greeting.
6. Do not kiss or cuddle any animals. Follow all clinic and hospital policies related to animal care and contact.
7. Do not share cell phones or hold them to your face. Use texting, speakerphone, or visual apps.
8. Do not share pens, books, stethoscopes, etc.

1. Programs and class years will be assigned primary classrooms to use and should limit their movement to other parts of campus.
2. If students are in a rotating schedule for on-campus activities, students should be assigned in such a way that they are on-campus for whole days at a time and such that roommates (when feasible) are on-campus at the same time.
3. Maximum class and laboratory size should be targeted to be 25, but only as the room size allows. Class sizes of up to 50 may be permitted with specific exemptions (includes need to keep 6 ft spacing in class) or as the case numbers in Massachusetts decline (requires approval by the dean).
4. Classrooms/conference rooms: Only as many students who can sit in a learning space and leave 6 ft physical distance should be permitted in the space. Lecture theaters and other classroom space will be posted with maximum occupancies. The exception is if physical partitions are present between seating spaces.
   1. When a class size is too large to permit all students in the class at the same time, then students will be assigned days to come in to minimize interactions.
   2. Consideration will be given to grouping students who are living together into classroom groups to minimize additional interactions.
   3. When students are in lecture style seating, the largest room available at the time, respecting on-campus travel movements, should be used.
   4. Students will be assigned individual seating in classrooms for the day.
   5. Students should wipe their individual area with provided disinfectant wipes at the end of the day.
5. Laboratories: Laboratory space occupation for teaching shall be such that a minimum of approximately 50 - 125 sq ft is available per student. However, it is recognized that students may need to work together at less than 6 ft spacing, sometimes for extended periods of time. The specific requirements of the PPE policy must be followed.
   1. Students should wear disposable gloves for laboratories and dispose of them properly at the end of the laboratory. Hands should be washed afterwards. Exceptions to the need to wear gloves will be communicated.
   2. Students are expected to clean and disinfect tools and working surfaces on completion of the laboratory, using provided supplies.
6. Clinical Skills, Surgical Exercises, Simulation: The PPE and protocols applied in clinic settings will be applied to these laboratories.
7. Classrooms, laboratories, and common areas shall normally be surface disinfected by facilities staff at the end of every day, and in no cases less frequently than every two days.
8. Students are not to go to lectures or laboratories on other campuses. This will directly affect the Master of Science in Public Health and the Master of Science in Conservation Medicine programs.

1. All formal classes should be held in the largest rooms available. When possible, in classrooms such as those in the Admin Building, open windows during lectures. (Note: the KCR is being used for testing and will not be available for classes)
2. Please respect all room occupancies and seating arrangements. Do not rearrange furniture.
3. Faculty and students are requested to take care when entering and exiting classrooms to minimize interactions and time within 6 ft distance. Please respect marked entrance and exit doors where possible.
4. Students must wear masks at all times when in the buildings and in the lecture theatres.
5. Students must sit only in designated seats and must sit no less than six feet apart at all times.
6. Students must clean their seat area at the end of class, using provided wipes or other cleaning material.
7. Faculty must wear masks at all times when in buildings or lecture theatres.
   1. It is recognized, however, that lecturing or leading a prolonged discussion with a mask can be tiring and some faculty members may find it difficult. It is suggested that faculty members try cloth and NMG disposable masks to see if one is more suited to them.
   2. If there is a reason that a faculty member is unable to lecture with a mask on, please consult with the relevant Associate Dean for alternatives.
8. Faculty should stay behind the podium and installed plexiglass shield to lecture. Under no circumstances should the faculty member be within six feet of the students, and should try to stay 10-15 feet away.
9. Faculty members are advised to wipe the computer keyboard and microphone prior to their lecture. They must clean the podium/computers on completion of their lecture, with provided materials.
10. Keyboard covers are to be placed on all common-use computers, in classrooms and throughout the campus. Wipes to clean keyboards and hand sanitizer (in fixed holders) are to be placed at all classroom or conference room podiums (this is not required in clinics/hospitals due to easy access to supplies and the distribution of the keyboards).
11. Only fixed microphones are permitted for use (no lapel microphones).

1. All areas in the school must be cleaned regularly following standard cleaning protocols (weekly).
2. Use EPA-registered cleaning products with an emerging-viral-pathogens claim for disinfection.
3. High-touch surfaces (door handles, railings, elevator buttons, etc.) must be cleaned and disinfected at least two times a day.
4. If an individual is diagnosed with COVID-19 and they spent considerable time in a single fixed location (e.g. an office), use of the area should be restricted until the cleaning and disinfection has been accomplished.
   1. Area shall be cleaned and disinfected as soon as possible. This may require an outside contractor.
   2. If the area is not required, it may be left unused for 14 days, at which time facilities shall deep clean and/or disinfect as required.
5. General area cleaning and disinfection should be instituted in all common areas that a confirmed COVID-19 person has occupied in the 48 hours priors to onset of symptoms or a diagnosis of infection in an asymptomatic person.

1. Business meetings of Cummings employees should be held by internet conference whenever possible.
2. No business meetings of more than 10 people should be held at any time and then only in locations where 6 ft physical distancing can be maintained.

1. Unnecessary travel around campus is restricted. When at all possible, employees and students are to remain within their designated work or learning area.
2. Dedicated classroom space will be assigned to DVM classes and master’s program classes.
3. Access to clinics and hospitals is restricted to students who are on rotations or other specific learning assignments.
4. Employees are expected to limit themselves to their primary hospital area unless required to go to another area for a specific activity.
5. Hospitals and buildings should not be used as thoroughfares.
   1. Students and employees should enter by the outside door that is closest to their destination.
6. When not prohibited by fire code or required to make the space functional, keep doors open to limit the need to touch doors or door handles.
7. Stairs will be designated for going up and going down, whenever reasonable, to minimize interactions in stairwells and facilitate traffic flow.

1. Common areas will have limits placed on the number of people who can use them at one time.
2. Seating and tables in common areas will be reduced to encourage appropriate physical distancing.
3. Individuals not respecting room restrictions may have access restricted.

1. No shared food sources are permitted. Food that is purchased should be provided in individual boxes or bags.
2. No group dining or eating inside the Elms Café area is permitted until such time as communicated by the dean. Eating outside will be permitted as long as physical distancing (> 6 ft) is maintained.

1. All sporting activities that result in personal contact are prohibited until further notice.
2. All on-campus gyms are closed until further notice.
3. Phelps athletic field, basketball courts, and tennis courts can be used by Grafton employees and students as long as 6 feet of distance is maintained. Masks are recommended but as long as six feet of distance is maintained, you may choose not to wear them.
   1. Basketball courts are limited to four people at a time, with two people at each net or end. No games are permitted.
   2. Tennis courts may be used to play singles or doubles, with 6 feet being maintained at all times.
   3. Phelps fields may be use for non-contact activities, including various forms of catch-and-throw. Six feet of distance must be maintained at all time. Organized or pick-up.

1. The following programs will be delivered/conducted remotely/online between May 1, 2020, and April 30, 2021:
   • Adventures in Veterinary Medicine
   • All K – 12 outreach programs
   • All continuing education programs
   • Prospective student days/recruitment events
   • Admissions interviews
   • Tufts Veterinary Orientation Program (TVOP) and other orientation events
   • All events such as Varis seminars/Animal Matters/etc. that might normally have had off-campus attendees will be live-streamed and only open to internal attendees, with limits on in-person attendance
   • Community Cat Clinics
2. The following programs will be suspended until further notice. Alternatives will be sought.
   • On-campus fall open house
   • On-campus Parents’ day/weekend
   • External group events

1. External persons include guests, visitors, research collaborators, contractors, or other external employees with approved, essential business on campus, employees of companies leasing space on campus, clients, and any other non-Cummings individuals.
2. Any external person coming to campus must have prior approval through the dean’s office (Stephen Libuda is the initial point of contact and will direct the request appropriately).
3. Any external person coming to campus must have a person who is responsible for the visit. This is referred to as the Point-of-Contact (POC).
4. Any external person coming to campus:
   1. Must follow all current Massachusetts guidelines (see travel section). Critical infrastructure workers do not need to self-quarantine traveling to and on the job site but must self-quarantine at other times. According to MA guidelines, they may have a negative PCR-based SARS CoV-2 test no more than 72 h prior to arrival in order to avoid needed to self-quarantine at all.
   2. We ask that external persons coming to campus do so within 24 h of traveling to MA, whenever possible, to reduce the risk of being infectious while on campus.
   3. Must be apprised of all Cummings School relevant policies and procedures by the POC. They must wear a face mask at all times while on campus.
   4. Must be screened for any recent illnesses or symptoms (fever, cough, headache, sore throat) in the previous two weeks through questioning by the Cummings POC.
   5. Must not have been in contact with a known or suspected case of COVID-19 in the previous 14 days (determined through questioning).
   6. Must be asked to take their temperature in the morning before coming to campus or be screened by infrared thermometer.
   7. Must complete the Tufts Daily Health Check survey and present an email demonstrating compliance and clearance to come to campus, if asked.
   8. Must avoid close contact with any Cummings employees or students.
5. Guests and visitors include any friends or family of employees or students, volunteers, externship students, visiting professors or clinicians, international visitors, or any other non-Cummings School person who is not here on specific approved business.
   1. Guests and visitors on campus are prohibited until April 2021. This requirement will be lifted when it is deemed safe.
   2. Permission for exceptions must be obtained from the dean’s office in advance of any visits. This will rarely be granted.
6. Guest lecturers or speakers should normally present by web conferencing and should not be brought to campus unless there is a demonstrable and significant benefit. The recommendation to the dean to approve this must come through the appropriate Associate Dean who will first review the request. Similarly, students should not go to other campuses to attend lectures or other events.
7. Clients of clinics/hospitals must follow the specific protocols in place for each location. For clients, the POC is considered the relevant clinic.
8. Employees of companies renting space on the Grafton campus. Such employees will be provided copies of all the necessary school policies and procedures by the Executive Associate Dean and will be required to follow those policies and procedures at all times while on campus. They must provide their own PPE. The EAD will keep a record of personal contact information and a list of all employees who will be on campus. They must inform the EAD if any of their employees test positive. They must be in compliance with all MA regulations, as well as Tufts and Cummings policies and practices.
9. Formal research collaborators. Permission for formal research collaborators to be on campus must be obtained from the dean’s office. The dean’s office (Stephen Libuda) will keep a record of all names and personal contact information for research collaborators. The Cummings School POC is responsible for ensuring that they understand and follow all the relevant PPE and Containment and Mitigation Policies of Cummings School. Their presence on campus is restricted to those areas where they need to work. Interactions with other laboratory personnel, employees, and students must be limited. The Cummings POC is responsible for keeping a record of all close contacts during the collaborator’s visit to campus. They must follow all MA guidelines, including travel restrictions.
10. Regular or one-time contractors or external employees invited to campus for specific business activities. Visits by contractors or external employees must be approved through the dean’s office in advance. They must follow all Cummings School PPE and Containment and Mitigation Policies. Physical distancing must be maintained at all times.

Cummings School and Tufts University cannot dictate how employees or students spend personal time. Nevertheless, Cummings School asks that all employees and students respect the principles and guidelines of this policy in their personal activities to reduce the risk of becoming infected with COVID-19.

Please note that group activities, particularly with people you do not normally interact with, increase risk. It is essential to follow MA guidelines on gathering sizes, to have everyone wear masks, to respect physical distancing, and to avoid inside gatherings.

1. Research laboratories may only permit as many workers in the space as can maintain 6 feet of physical distancing. All procedures requiring two or more individuals in less than 6 feet of distance must be minimized.
2. At a minimum, disposable non-medical grade masks must be worn at all times when in the laboratory, even if no others are present. Other appropriate masks or respirators should be worn as indicated by the specific procedure or biosafety level.
3. All other laboratory practices must follow any specific practices as outlined in the school protocols.
4. Laboratory personnel must disinfect all high-touch surfaces and equipment before using the laboratory and when finished. Follow all laboratory procedures and PPE requirements when handling disinfectants.
5. Stay conscious of the fact that circumstances may change rapidly, and you may need to suspend operations on short notice.

For more information and resources for researchers—including links to the research reopen surveys—please see Cummings School’s COVID-19 intranet.