CoMSIRU – the first ones back on campus after lockdown!

The CoMSIRU research unit was chosen as the pilot project for the University of Cape Town's return to research protocol after the strict COVID-19 Level 5 lockdown in South Africa was lifted to Level 4. CoMSIRU has a unique position: being a research unit that conducts consulting work for the industry in the laboratory in addition to its mandated research, it was allowed to operate again once national COVID-19 Level 4 was introduced, allowing among other commercial laboratories servicing the construction industry to take up operation again. 

The return to campus required the careful implementation of special standard operating procedures on how the laboratory would run. These include aspects of social distancing, hygiene, sanitising, personal protective equipment (PPE), daily health checks in order keep all researchers and staff healthy and safe. CoMSIRU has always been committed to a culture of "Safety First" and thus was able to seamlessly adopt the COVID-19 safety protocols of the University of Cape Town. 

CoMSIRU will continue to work diligently with the university staff, students, and its industry partners to stop the spread of COVID-19 and ensure that we all stay safe.