The COVID-19 Impact On CPULD
Masked Hokie Bird
As felt everywhere, we have also been greatly impacted by COVID-19 here at CPULD. We are currently back to operating at full capacity but with new safety rules and operating procedures in place for the protection of our workers and the products coming through our testing labs.
Back on March 9, 2020, Virginia Tech stopped all in-person instruction and moved everything possible to remote operations. CPULD was able to receive “essential” status, which allowed us to run reduced operations, but it was a difficult transition as most of our lab technicians were (and are) students who were no longer on campus, or even in Blacksburg. At the end of May, we were given permission to restart research operations; by July 1, we’d brought back our student workers under new health and safety protocols.
Our new procedures include extensive deep-cleaning of the lab regularly, additional PPE being worn by everyone in the lab, social distancing practiced by lab managers and workers, and new signage instructing everyone on the COVID-19 procedures, as well as lots of additional training on these new procedures and restrictions on out-of-state travel for any lab workers.
Unfortunately, another side effect of COVID-19 is that we can no longer allow outside visitors in our labs. However, we have made up for this latest restriction by offering online video chats for clients who wish to be part of the testing of their products. These sessions are conducted through Zoom using Apple iPads, which can be carried around the lab to help include the client in all processes that are taking place.
We are pleased that we have been able to work within the new parameters to continue to provide our clients with any and all of the tests that we have always offered. You can be assured that, if you send your packages/products/unit loads/pallets to CPULD, they will be tested in the safest, most sanitary way possible by workers who are practicing all suggested health-conscious procedures. We look forward to continuing to offer our clients the great service they expect when using CPULD labs for their testing needs!