Dear colleagues and students,
Earlier this week, the government announced that they are providing additional testing and sequencing in a number of locations where a new Covid-19 variant has been found. Current guidance is that every person over 16 living in these locations is strongly encouraged to take a Covid test this week, whether they are showing symptoms or not, and they are being urged to further limit the time they spend away from home and work from home where possible.
As a health science university, we must act on the best available advice from the government and public health to help reduce the spread of coronavirus. In light of this, staff and students who live in postcodes where surge testing is being deployed should only come to the University if it is essential they are on site and they have had a negative PCR test.
According to the government website, the areas currently affected are:
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East of England (EN10)
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London (W7, N17, CR4)
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North West (PR9)
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South East (ME15, GU21)
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West Midlands (WS2)
News reports suggest that surge testing could be deployed in other areas, so the list of postcodes affected could be extended.
For more information and details about which specific areas are being targeted, please see government guidance and visit your local authority website.
If this development will impact your attendance on site for work or studies, please contact your line manager or course team for support and guidance.
Please note, if you have a positive coronavirus test, students should contact coronavirusconcern@sgul.ac.uk and staff should contact their manager and Human Resources via hrhelp@sgul.ac.uk. Please provide details of dates and locations of any time on site.
Thank you for your cooperation.
Very best wishes,
Paul Ratcliffe
Chief Operating Officer
St George’s, University of London