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Dear Students,  

The Covid-19 Steering Group met earlier this week to consider proposals for how the university should operate following the easing of restrictions from 19 July.  

In considering plans for the next phase, our priorities are the safety and wellbeing of our community, and the continued delivery of our education and research mission. We have reviewed carefully the government's guidance for HE providers which notes that we are autonomous institutions with individual circumstances and we should continue to make efforts to reduce the risk of transmission of Covid-19. As the UK’s specialist health university, St George’s is co-located with the university hospital and, as such, we have a duty towards patients, as well as to staff, students and visitors.  

Guidance on face masks to remain  

Anyone on the university site should continue to wear Type II face masks when in communal areas, in clinical and lab settings and in crowded areas which could include lecture theatres if they are at capacity. If you wish to wear a face mask anywhere else on site, please feel able to do so.  

Testing  

All of us should be undertaking twice weekly Covid-19 testing to break the chains of transmission. You can collect packs of Lateral Flow Device (LFD) Covid tests on site, to use at home. Please be aware that there are different types of LFD tests and it is important you follow the instructions provided in each pack.  

Please report your test result within 24 hours and link your test to St George’s when doing so.  

When travelling home for the summer break or returning to site, you should undertake testing at either end of your journey, using LFD home tests or accessing local community facilities as needed.  

See further information about how to collect your test kit on site and record your result.  

If you have Covid symptoms, please stay at home and arrange a PCR test as soon as possible.  

Further ways to minimise risks  

The government is advising us to continue to be cautious while the prevalence of Covid-19 cases is high. The following points apply to any time you spend on the St George’s site:  

  • Adhere to room capacity limits, let fresh air into enclosed spaces, opening windows and doors (excluding fire doors) where possible.  
  • Wash your hands with soap and water or use hand gel frequently and whenever arriving on or leaving any space on campus.  
  • Limit your contact with people you do not usually live with, keeping your distance where you can.  
  • Stay at home if you feel unwell and, if you have Covid symptoms, get a PCR test.  
  • If you enter a space with an official NHS QR code poster, please check in.  

We will continue to ensure facilities and surfaces are cleaned regularly, providing additional resources for individual hand cleaning, along with clear signposting.   

If you are clinically extremely vulnerable, you should undertake a personal risk assessment. Please see the government’s updated guidance.  

Campus arrangements  

From 19 July, there will be more freedom of movement on site, with one-way systems no longer in operation. Room capacities will be increased, although there may still be some restrictions to ensure adequate ventilation. Maximum capacities are listed on the doors for all meeting rooms and are based on ventilation as well as dimensions.  

In the Library, silent study spaces will revert to full capacity, but group study spaces will continue to be limited. The computer rooms will again be available at full capacity and furniture will be reinstalled in the social learning space. 

Catering and retail outlets on site are open, including the Students’ Union Bar which is serving customers on Wednesday - Friday evenings and can otherwise be used as a circulation space every day for both staff and students. The Multifaith and Quiet Contemplation Room (MFQCR) is open from 08:00-22:00 on weekdays.   

Taking personal responsibility  

The government is urging us all to take personal responsibility to live with Covid. Please get fully vaccinated as soon as you can, self-isolate when required to do so, get tested regularly and help reduce the chance of transmission in busy areas on site or elsewhere. Read the government guidance in full on how to stay safe and help prevent the spread of Covid-19.  

The Covid guidance on our website has been updated to be relevant for the next phase. We are revising our institutional risk assessment which will be published on the site shortly.  

Thank you for all that you continue to do for your colleagues and your community to help us through the pandemic.  

Best wishes,  

Paul Ratcliffe  

Chief Operating Officer  

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