INFECTIOUS DISEASE MANAGEMENT

Entering the 2025 Arctic summer deployment season, the approach to infectious disease mitigation will continue to be one of risk management through containment, symptom control, and disease management. The NSF has shifted from the goal of trying to prevent cases of COVID-19 at research stations or communities to a goal of resuming normal operations with good prevention practices in place and a robust plan to respond to infectious disease cases at research stations and logistics hubs. Research projects in field camps are responsible for their own protocols and response to infectious diseases.

Quarantines are no longer required for entry to research stations. Research teams may elect to arrange and pay for their own quarantine period, if desired. Without quarantines, there is increased likelihood that infectious diseases will reach research stations like Summit Station and Toolik Field Station. These documents describe the overall approach for reducing infectious disease cases and managing those that arise. As with all prior years, program participants should comply with all national, state, local and tribal travel restrictions. All participants should have informed consent regarding the risks of contracting infectious diseases and research teams should have personal protective plans in place with the awardee institution’s risk management office concurrence that includes how the project will respond to infections.

All travelers should follow the applicable public health authorities’ (e.g., host country, state, tribe, borough, city/village) infectious disease guidelines in addition to the applicable NSF infectious disease travel guidelines.