Re-Opening Guidelines for In-Person Studies

Research participants will be asked the following series of questions when being screened for project qualification. An answer of “Yes” to any of these questions will disqualify the potential research participant.

• Have you knowingly been exposed to someone with COVID-19 within the past 14 days?
• Are you currently experiencing any symptoms related to COVID-19 such as cough, fever or shortness of breath?
• Are you currently feeling ill or have experienced a cold, flu or fever within the past 14 days?

All visitors will be required sign a liability release related to COVID-19 prior to arrival.

Screening of all staff members, clients, and participants will consist of:

• Temperature scan (via no-touch infrared forehead thermometer) would be required for everyone entering the facility.
  • Anyone with a temperature reading above the current CDC guidelines (100.4 F / 38 C temporal) will be asked to leave and will not be able to participate in or view the research.
• Any facility staff members/visitors who display any COVID-19-like symptoms will be asked to leave and will not be able to participate in or view the research.

• All facility staff members/visitors will be screened upon arrival to verify that:
  • They have not knowingly been exposed to someone with COVID-19 within the past 14 days.
  • They are not experiencing any symptoms related to COVID-19 such as cough or shortness of breath.
  • They are not currently feeling ill or have experienced a cold, flu, or fever within the past 14 days.
• All staff members/visitors will be required to use hand sanitizer upon entry to the facility and focus room.
• Elevators used to access our 10^th floor facility are currently limited to 3 people riding at one time.

• • All staff members will wear masks, face shields, and gloves (when appropriate).
  • Participants and clients are required to wear masks when entering the facility and when in common areas. If a visitor does not have a mask, one will be provided free of charge.
  • To assist with the compliance of physical distancing, floor decals will be strategically placed throughout the facility.
  • The main reception desk will be outfitted with an acrylic divider to ensure the safety of our staff members, clients, and participants.
  • Participant identification will be presented behind the acrylic divider.
  • To alleviate shared documents and a high traffic check-in process, all forms (i.e. consent, non-disclosure agreements, liability release documents, as well as any pre-work assignments) will be signed/completed and sent electronically to Focus Crossroads prior to the qualitative sessions.
  • Only one project will be allowed to take place at a time within the facility.
  • Research sessions will be staggered to maintain physical distancing, limit traffic flow at the facility and for sanitizing/cleaning practices between groups.
  • The facility space will be re-configured based on project needs to provide appropriate physical distancing in waiting areas, focus rooms, client viewing rooms, and client lounges. Upon request, additional client viewing capacity can be provided via remote monitors located in other client lounges.
  • We will keep the number of personnel in any space below maximum levels set by the state/locality.
  • Group size will be limited to maintain a safe distance of 6 feet based on the room size, and 3-sided plexiglass/sneeze guards will be made available.
  • All research participants will be required to use hand sanitizer prior to entering the focus room.
  • Participants will be asked to enter and exit the focus room individually to maintain physical distancing.
  • Moderators unable to travel would be able to stream/moderate remotely for a nominal fee. A proctor or client assistant would also be available to distribute any stimuli necessary for a nominal fee.
  • Local moderators could be offered upon request.
  • Incentives will be issued virtually.
  • Supplies being utilized for each session (e.g., pads, pencils, etc.) will only be used one time.
  • Non-essential items (e.g., magazines, candy dishes, etc.) will be removed from the waiting rooms, viewing rooms, and client lounges.

Food and Beverage:

• • Bottled water will be the only beverage option offered to research participants. If clients request that mealtime food or snacks items be provided to participants, these will be limited to individually packaged items.
  • Client food service will be comprised of individually packaged orders and will be served as delivered with no re-plating.
  • Tablecloths, plates, napkins, cups, utensils etc. will all be disposable.