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Dear all,

On Saturday, the Prime Minister outlined in a public address a series of National Restrictionswhich will affect all of us from Thursday 5 November until Wednesday 2 December, as we go about our daily lives. I know that this is an unsettling time for you all and you’ll have many concerns about how this might affect you, your family and friends, as well as your studies. Your wellbeing remains an absolute priority for us and you will find a reminder of the support available to you below.

I hope we can offer you some reassurance that while the way we live our daily lives will change, the University will continue to operate as it has done so far this term.

We last night received a letter from the Minister of State for Universities confirming that universities should remain open. This means for you that St George’s will, subject to any further national or local Government announcements, continue to offer essential on-site teaching as scheduled.

The Minister also emphasised that students who are in Halls or private rented accommodation should not leave their term time address to return to their home until at least 2 December. We all recognise that some of you may wish to be back with your family during this difficult time, but we urge you to stay where you are. As the Minister set out in her letter, this is to prevent any further spread of Covid-19 – any movement around the country will risk the lives of our loved ones. You can read the Minister’s letter to students here.

The University is awaiting further information from the Government on what measures will be in place for students wishing to return to their home address at the end of term and we will pass on further information as soon as we can.

Further information about University activities is below.

Teaching, research and clinical placements

  • All timetabled on-site teaching activities will continue, subject to further local or national government measures which the University is asked to implement.
  • Laboratory-based research will continue onsite; however, work which can be done effectively at home, such as writing up, should be done at home. The University’s intention is that where possible, PhD and MDRes research should continue with appropriate support.
  • Where students have clinical placements scheduled, these will continue as planned. Students should continue to adhere to any advice from Occupational Health regarding their potential exposure to Covid-19 positive patients.

Professor Jane Saffell, Deputy Principal (Education), will be sending you a Student Briefing later this week with more details on teaching and assessment, along with details of a Q&A session to address any further concerns you might have.

On-site services

  • Essential on-site services for teaching and learning will remain available for students.
  • The library, computer rooms and the Student Life Centre remain open, as before.
  • The Students’ Union bar will be closed.
  • The SU shop will remain open as it provides food and drinks for sale.
  • The multifaith quiet contemplation room should only be used for individual prayer.

Social mixing and exercising outdoors

  • Students should adhere to the new Government restrictions on household mixing– households should not mix indoors under any circumstances.
  • Government restrictions allow exercise or a visit to an outdoor public place with the people you live with or one person from another household.
  • We would encourage you to continue to exercise outdoors if you can and in line with Government restrictions.
  • Student societies and sports clubs should not meet from Thursday. The Robert Lowe Sports Centre will close.

Students living in Halls

  • Halls remain open as normal and current guidance remains unaffected. If there are any changes to how the University is operating, you will be informed as soon as possible.
  • It is more important than ever that students living in Halls adhere to both University and Government guidelines. More information on the University’s guidance can be found here.

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 need support

If you have any concerns, including if you think you might be a vulnerable individual, further advice can be obtained from the coronavirus advice hub on our website or from your course team.

If you would like to talk confidentially to someone, the counselling service can be contacted via emailor on 020 8725 3625. The Counselling Service will continue to run sessions remotely. Please see the website for further details on the range of student support available.

We understand that these are difficult times. Please seek support when you need to, whether that be from your personal tutor, course team, or from the professional support available through the University.

I send you my very best wishes.

Professor Jenny Higham

Principal

St George’s, University of London

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:

  • Wash your handswith soap and water or hand gel frequently and whenever leaving any space on campus.
  • Wear face coveringsin all common parts of the University, including in the main foyers, The Street, common rooms, and the Library.
  • 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.
  • Cover coughs or sneezesusing a tissue or your elbow
  • 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.
  • Keep informedof any changes to guidance, checking your emails regularly for alerts from the University.
  • 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 willfully and repeatedly breaching requirements could lead to disciplinary processes. Our Take Care. Show Care hub has further informationon your, and our, responsibilities.

 

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