Dear colleagues,
Following recent discussions at the University's Covid-19 Steering and Operational Groups, we wish to share the following updates and reminders with staff.
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:
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Hunter Wing, Reception Desk (staff, students and visitors)
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Hunter Wing, Library (staff and students)
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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 facemask 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 2 m distancing can be maintained and in individual flats you do not need to wear a mask. However, in respect to other users, we encourage all staff 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 advice
As part of guidance issued for the new national lockdown on 6 January 2021, the government has said that clinically extremely vulnerable people should not attend work.
Clinically extremely vulnerable people will have received a letter telling them they are in this group, and/or will have been told by their GP. Guidance on who is in this group can also be found here. If you’re a staff member that is clinically extremely vulnerable your manager may request to see a copy of your letter. This will be treated confidentially and managed in accordance with GDPR regulations.
Where working from home is not possible consideration may be given to whether you could undertake alternate duties from home. Alternatively, for non-academic staff, you might be placed on furlough, whilst the government’s scheme remains available. At the end of this period, arrangements will be made based on the government guidance available at that time.
For staff who live with somebody who is designated as clinically extremely vulnerable, government guidance is that they should continue to work in accordance with the general advice and regulations. For such individuals who are unable to work from home it may be appropriate to undertake an individual risk assessment, to determine the extent of the risk. As above, if required, consideration may be given to alternate duties which could be undertaken from home, if appropriate. Human Resources have updated their guidance in line with this new government guidance, and further information can be found here. This includes additional guidance for staff who are clinically vulnerable but not shielding.
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:
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Wearing a face covering at all times
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Maintaining social distancing where possible particularly on platforms and in stations
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Regularly sanitising your hands and touching as few surfaces as possible
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Avoiding touching your face
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Travelling side by side or behind people, rather than facing them, where seating arrangements allow
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Travelling at off-peak times if feasible
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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.
Thank you for your cooperation.
Paul Ratcliffe
Chief Operating Officer