Dear all,
Many of you will have seen recent media reports that at midnight tonight, London will be moving to local COVID alert level ‘high’. This level is the middle of three new levels of restrictions – medium, high and very high – each with a different set of restrictions to mitigate the spread of Covid-19.
Within this new local COVID alert level of high for London, universities across the city will continue to operate. At St George’s, our current approach to teaching and learning, including online provision alongside essential onsite, hands-on teaching, will continue.
Students are advised that restrictions on indoor mixing between households align with current University guidance that there should be no external visitors to flats in Halls, nor social mixing between flats.
Students must adhere to guidance to ensure the safety of themselves and others in our community. Below is a reminder of the behaviour we expect.
Take care. Show care.
We all have a crucial role to play in minimising the risk of transmitting coronavirus. To play your part, below are commitments we ask you to make to take care of yourself and show care to others:
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Wear face coverings in all common parts of the University, including in the main foyers, The Street, common rooms, and the Library.
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Keep your distance, staying at least two metres apart from others outside your household, or, if that’s not possible in classes, offices or elsewhere, one metre apart with mitigation e.g. face coverings or screens.
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Cover coughs or sneezes using a tissue or your elbow
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Use spaces safely, following the one-way systems around campus, tapping your ID card whenever you can so there’s a record of your movements around campus and wiping desks and computers before you use them in common areas such as in the Library.
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Keep informed of any changes to guidance, checking your emails regularly for alerts from the University.
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Remind and respect others, prompting others to follow the rules to keep us all safe, but being aware that some people are exempt from requirements to wear a face covering. Do not take offence if you receive a reminder yourself.
Please be aware that wilfully and repeatedly breaching requirements could lead to disciplinary processes. Our Take Care. Show Care hub has further information on your, and our, responsibilities.
On campus
Please use University spaces safely, following the one-way systems, tapping your ID card whenever you can so there's a record of your movements around campus, and wiping desks and computers before you use them in common areas such as in the Library.
Additionally, please download the NHS Covid-19 App and scan QR codes where available. In line with NHS guidelines, we are currently advising students on placements, who are equivalent to healthcare workers, to pause contact tracing on the NHS Covid-19 app when they are in their placement environment.
If you feel unwell
If you do develop symptoms of Covid-19, you must self-isolate immediately and inform Student Services at coronavirusconcern@sgul.ac.uk, so they can take necessary actions and support you in self-isolating. This flow chart sets out what to do.
If you must miss onsite teaching as a result of needing to self-isolate, you will be supported to catch up on your learning. Please speak to your course team if you know you will be unable to attend teaching so that the appropriate arrangements can be made.
We will continue to be in touch with further guidance as the situation continues to develop.
With best wishes,
Paul Ratcliffe
Chief Operating Officer
St George’s, University of London