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This message is ONLY for St George's registered students.

Dear all,

Following recent discussions at the University's Covid-19 Steering and Operational Groups, we wish to share the following updates and reminders with students.

New guidance on face coverings

We are continually considering steps we can take to keep our community as safe as possible through the pandemic. We are now recommending that all staff and students wear Type II face masks when on site.

Type II face masks are surgical masks which ensure greater protection than other face coverings. Masks will be provided by the University and there will be collection points at several locations around the campus. These are:

  • Hunter Wing, Reception Desk (staff, students and visitors)

  • Hunter Wing, Library (staff and students)

  • Jenner Wing, Site Services (staff)

Face visors will also be available at these points for those who are medically exempt from wearing a face mask. Since a Type II face mask should be used for one day only, there will also be disposal facilities at all exits from the University site.

Face masks (or if exempt a visor) must be worn at all times while on the University site and in all learning environments including the Library, teaching space, or laboratory unless otherwise advised. In offices where two metre distancing can be maintained and in individual flats you do not need to wear a mask. However, in respect to other users, we encourage everyone in shared office spaces to continue to wear face masks where appropriate.

For more guidance on your responsibilities please see the Covid-19 hub pages. This includes advice on prompting others to follow the rules to keep us all safe, whilst also being aware that some people are exempt from requirements to wear a face mask/covering.

Shielding

The Government has recently advised that students who are classified as clinically extremely vulnerable should not attend educational settings for the duration of the current national lockdown. This guidance can be found here.

If you are in this group, you will previously have received a letter from the NHS or from your GP telling you this and you may have been advised to shield in the past. If, as a result of the new guidance, you will be unable to attend teaching or research on site, and your course team are not already aware of this, you must let your course team know as soon as possible so they can consider options with you and offer advice on the support available to you. Research degree students should contact the Graduate School administration team.

For students with other illnesses or disabilities who may be clinically vulnerable (but not clinically extremely vulnerable) we continue to recommend that you complete a personal risk assessment. If you have not yet undertaken a personal risk assessment for this academic year, or if your circumstances have changed, please contact your course team to arrange this.

St George’s is committed to supporting our students and will explore all reasonable adjustments to support you to thrive on your course.

Outbreak of Covid-19 in Horton Halls

Following an outbreak of Covid-19 in E Block of Horton Halls, all residents of that block were contacted last night and advised to self-isolate with immediate effect. Unfortunately, this step is required due to the rate of spread of Covid-19 in the block in recent days, in order to protect residents and the wider community. As cases of Covid-19 have risen, the University has monitored the situation closely, working with Public Health England (PHE) in line with our outbreak management plan. Yesterday evening, PHE advised us that all E Block residents must now self-isolate, as all are potential contacts.

We are offering support to affected students, delivering food packages and cleaning packages. There are daily check-ins via MS Teams for all students who are self-isolating and both the University team and the Students’ Union have provided contact details for students to use if they need any assistance.

Travelling to site

For those commuting to site, we understand that travelling by public transport can be a source of anxiety. Concerns around this may have increased since the Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan, declared a ‘major incident’ in the capital on 8 January.

Where possible, we recommend that you walk or cycle during this time, but if that is not possible, please follow sensible precautions to minimise any risk of transmission. This includes:

  • Wearing a face covering at all times

  • Maintaining social distancing where possible particularly on platforms and in stations

  • Regularly sanitising your hands and touching as few surfaces as possible

  • Avoiding touching your face

  • Travelling side by side or behind people, rather than facing them, where seating arrangements allow

  • Travelling at off-peak times if feasible

  • Walking for more of your journey, for example, getting off the tube a stop earlier

You can read further guidance about travelling safely on public transport during the pandemic on gov.uk.

Testing

Students returning to site are reminded that they should undertake coronavirus testing or self-isolate for 10 days before returning, as set out in the National Lockdown requirements. You should take two tests three days apart if possible. The first test should be taken as soon as possible following your return to the St George’s site, then another three days later. Between the tests you can access teaching and study spaces if:

  • Your first test was negative

  • You maintain strict social distancing, wear a mask or face covering and follow good infection control practices

  • You limit your social contact to your household bubble only, in line with the national lockdown restrictions

We understand that some clinical placement providers are offering testing and others are not. Any student on a clinical placement is welcome to have testing at our centre if needed.

If you choose not to undertake testing on your return, you must self-isolate for 10 days before returning to the University site.

Students who have had a partial or full vaccination should still have a test before they return to site for the first time.

While we do our best to accommodate those arriving for a test without a booking, it does cause pressures on the testing team and we may have to turn people without a booking away if we are working at capacity. Please do book a test.

Book your test here

 

Thank you for your cooperation.

Paul RatcliffeChief Operating Officer

 

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