December 2020 COVID Policy Revision
Latest Update: December 12, 2020
Beginning Monday, December 14, 2020, and extending through January 10, 2021, the following changes are in effect in order to bring Nova Labs into compliance 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 critical functions only.
Critical Changes
All in-person open office hours will be cancelled
All in-person shop classes will be cancelled
The number of reservations available in each space will be reduced to ensure gatherings are below the new threshold of 10 at all times
No hobbyists are allowed 12:00am-5:00am to comply with the EO 72 curfew
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
Wipe down all surfaces before and after every use. Do not assume your space and equipment were cleaned by someone else.
Only close-fitting, multi-layer, tightly woven face coverings that completely cover the nose and mouth should be worn.
No masks with exhalation valves will be permitted
Wash your hands frequently and for at least 20 seconds.
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.
Updated: December 6 2020
In response to the continued increase in Fairfax County COVID cases, the Nova Labs Directors present this revised policy concerning access to and utilization of Nova Labs, Inc.
To all members:
A 7 day quarantine followed by a negative COVID test is mandatory for all members that have traveled, had out of town guests visit them, or participated in gatherings over 10 beyond your immediate household; this includes retail and dining venues.
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.
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
All members must make a reservation prior to arrival.
No walk-ins
Due to the increased need for social distancing, ALL STEWARDS must reserve space. No exceptions.
Allowed Activities
Active Making
Leadership meetings
Use of Innovation Center space requires IC Membership; please contact patrick.thompson@nova-labs.org if interested
Eating indoors is not permitted at this time
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/week Documented 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 sanitized 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.