Coronavirus Response

January 2021 COVID Policy Revision

Latest Update: January 9, 2021

Beginning Monday, January 9, 2021, and extending through January 31, 2021, the following changes are in effect in order to bring Nova Labs into compliant with Virginia Executive Order 72. The Board will be continually re-evaluating and updating this guidance as conditions evolve. Please be aware that a temporary closure of Nova Labs is possible in the upcoming weeks. In an effort to remain open, we ask that our members use the space for making and operational functions only.  


Critical Changes

  1. All in-person shop classes are limited to the space occupancies set below
  2. Instructors ave the autonomy to set lower class sizes based on their own specifications
  3. Instructors need not feel obligated to teach at this time; it is a very personal decision
  4. The number of reservations available on each space remain reduced to reduce crowding at entrances and passageways.
  5. No Hobbyists are allowed 12:00am05:00am to comply with the EO 72 curfew
  6. Makerschool classes and locations will be adjusted to accommodate the new occupancy loads

Nova Labs is, at heart, a collaborative space full of makers who enjoy sharing their time, talent, and projects. This is our greatest strength. It is also our weakest link during this deadly pandemic. It is absolutely crucial to the continued safe operation of Nova Labs that we demonstrate greater adherence to masks and cleaning procedures. 

 

Safe Making Practices

  1. Wipe down all surfaces before and after every use. Do not assume your space and equipment were cleaned by someone else.
  2. Only close-fitting, multi-layer, tightly woven face coverings that completely cover the nose and mouth should be worn. 
    1. No masks with exhalation valves will be permitted as stand-alone devices; please wear a cloth face mask beneath any cartridge respirator your work requires.
  3. Wash your hands frequently and for at least 20 seconds.
  4. Maintain a distance of 6 feet from others at all times.

WARNING: Anyone observed violating these conditions will have their Nova Labs access suspended for 7 days. 

When to Self-Isolate

  • A 7 day quarantine followed by a negative COVID test or 10 day quarantine is mandatory for all members that have interacted indoors, unmasked, with anyone who is not part of their immediate household for more than 10 minutes.

 

Who Can Access:

    • Board members
    • Officially-appointed Team Leads, Assistant Team Leads, and Coordinators
    • Officially-appointed Stewards and Assistant Stewards
    • Key Members
    • Associate Members
    • Interns
    • Event Hosts and Instructors
    • Minors who are family members of Nova Labs members are allowed if they are closely supervised
  • Members are not allowed to bring visitors or guests at this time. 
  • Attendees are prohibited at this time.
  • Open Office Hours are still prohibited.
  • Tours are allowed only by permission of the Executive Director. Please refer to the Membership Policy for the formal definition of Guest, Attendee, and visitor.

Hours of Access

  • Key Member hobbyists: 24 hours/day, 7 days/week
    • Key Members ProMakers: 24 hours/day, 7 days/week
    • Associate Members: 5:30pm-8:30pm Monday-Friday and  1:00pm-4:00pm Saturday-Sunday
  • No walk-ins
    • Due to the increased need for social distancing, ALL STEWARDS must reserve space. No exceptions.

Allowed Activities

  • Eating indoors, while not encouraged, is permitted at this time, one person per table maximum, please limit your meal to <15 minutes

Criteria for Altering this Policy:

  • We will align our space usage requirements with the guidelines set forth by Governor Northam for the state of Virginia
  • We will strive to follow the recommendations of the Centers for Disease Control and the White House Coronavirus Task Force
  • Nova Labs leadership reserves the right to enact additional measures in order to comply with the best practices suggested by the World Health Organization (WHO), Centers for Disease Control (CDC), and respected epidemiologists

Safety Precautions:

Space Cleaning Protocols

  • Daily cleaning of bathrooms, kitchen, and high-touch areas (counters, tables, door handles, etc.)
  • 3.5% Nu-Foamicide or similar EPA-approved disinfectant will be used in a fogging machine to sanitize every room at 1916 and 1930 two times/weekDocumented via disinfection log mounted in each room
  • MERV12-filtered box fans are being added throughout the non-shop zones, 1 unit per 1000 square feet.
  • Filters are marked with date of install and changed every 3 months
  • Leave the makerspace cleaner than you find it!

Kitchen Usage 

  • Do not hand wash dirty dishes (place in the dishwasher immediately after use)
  • No sharing food or beverages
  • Wipe down all surfaces with disinfectant as necessary
  • Throw dirty napkins or paper towels in the trash immediately after use
  • Do not use the kitchen when someone else is using it (unless invited)

1916 Occupancy

  • Orange Bay: maximum of 10 people at a time and no closer than 6’ to another person
  • Laser Lab: maximum of 2 people at a time
  • Project Classroom: maximum of 7 people at a time
  • The Studio: maximum of 4 people at a time
  • Conference rooms: maximum of  7 people at a time
  • Woodshop, Lathe, and CNC: maximum of 6 people at a time, no more than 1 person per bench
  • Metal Shop: maximum of 6 people at a time, no more than 1 person per bench
  • Mixed Media Shop: maximum of 2 people at a time, no more than 1 person per bench
  • Blacksmithing: maximum of 2 people indoors; outdoors, maintain 6 ft social distancing and wear a face mask of mostly natural fibers.

1930 Occupancy

  • Enclosed Office: maximum of 1 person/113 sq ft
  • Innovation Center Conference Room: maximum of 2 people at a time
  • Innovation Center co-Working areas: maximum 6 desks or benches in each area, no more than 1 person per bench or desk
  • Innovation Center Tool Bay: maximum of 2 people at a time
  • Innovation Center Laser Lab: maximum of 1 person at a time
  • AV Streaming Studio: maximum of 2 people at a time
  • Community Classroom: maximum of 4 people at a time
  • Community Tool Bay: maximum of 1 people at a time
  • Robot Corral: maximum of 5 people at a time
  • Events Room: maximum of 10 people at a time if divider is open, or 5 people per side with divider closed
  • Lobby: maximum of 5 people at a time

Coronavirus Symptom Questionnaire

  • Do not enter if you answer yes to any of these questions
  • Have you been within 6 ft of a person with a lab-confirmed case of coronavirus for at least 5 minutes, or had direct contact with their mucus or saliva, in the past 14 days?
  • In the last 48 hours, have you had any of the following NEW symptoms?
  • Fever of 100.5ºF (38ºC) or above, or possible fever symptoms like alternating chills and sweating
  •  Cough
  • Trouble breathing, shortness of breath or severe wheezing
  • Chills or repeated shaking with chills
  • Muscle aches
  • Sore throat
  • Loss of smell or taste, or a change in taste
  • Nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea
  •  Headache
  • Positive COVID-19 test

If you answer yes to any of these questions, do not come to Nova Labs.

Safe Making Practices – Allowed and Recommended PPE

  • We differentiate between normal safety PPE and the additional Covid-19 PPE (primary air filtering).
  • Run a MERV12-filtered box fan in any space you are working, 1 unit per 1000 square feet.
    Covid-19 specific PPE and process
    • Clean face mask (required).  Covers both your mouth and nose the entire time you are at Nova Labs.  No masks with unfiltered exhalation valves, but N95 masks are fine.
    • Face shields and respirators must be worn in conjunction with a face mask.
    • MakerShield (the enclosed face shield designed for MakerSchool) can substitute for face masks.
    • Safety PPE (please bring your own)
      • Safety glasses
      • Ear protection – optional/as needed

In Case of COVID-Positive Nova Labs Contact

    • Nova Labs will notify membership of the dates a COVID-Positive person was in the space
    • Nova Labs will close for 72 hours to conduct sanitization
      • Currently,the standard disinfection protocol is fogging rooms individually with 3.5% Nu-Foamicide twice a week
      • After positive contact, every room will be santitized and then allowed to sit empty for 3 days
      • Nu-Foamicide at 3.5% is EPA certified to destroy a wide variety of viruses, bacteria, and fungi within 15 minutes of initial contact. Our Safety Team Lead has confirmed that it is safe for our machines, as it is not a degreaser.
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