News Item
Arctic Field Season COVID-19 Update for 2023
National Science Foundation
For more information, go to:
https://www.nsf.gov/news/news_summ.jsp?cntn_id=307278&org=OPP
The National Science Foundation (NSF) Office of Polar Programs has published their Arctic Field Season COVID-19 Update for 2023. This announcement summarizes the mitigation protocols for COVID-19 that apply to researchers utilizing services from NSF’s research support contractor, Battelle Arctic Research Operations (Battelle ARO) during the 2023 field season.
Given the state of COVID-19 and the availability of vaccines against the disease, the Arctic Sciences Section has decided to move away from quarantines and PCR testing while still implementing appropriate prevention and response measures.
Projects are responsible for the costs incurred by a COVID-19 outbreak in their project, including additional costs for accommodations or commercial flights. NSF has no obligation to provide additional field time if COVID-19 or other issues prevent the project from accomplishing its goals.
Researchers are encouraged to reach out to their cognizant program officer and the regional contact for their fieldwork to discuss potential impacts or make requests to mitigate COVID-19. For work in Alaska or on ships, contact Frank Rack (frack [at] nsf.gov), and for work in Greenland or other locations, contact Renee Crain (rcrain [at] nsf.gov) or Kate Ruck (kruck [at] nsf.gov). Please reach out to Greg Huey (greg [at] polarfield.com) at Battelle ARO with questions about following these protocols.
For more information, go to:
https://www.nsf.gov/news/news_summ.jsp?cntn_id=307278&org=OPP