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insite: our staff hub

Covid guidance for Term 2

We hope you’ve had a restful and enjoyable Christmas break. In line with updated Department for Education (DfE) guidance, we’ve made changes to some of our safety measures. Read on for an overview of safety guidance, and information about working from home and term 2 teaching and learning.

Students will also receive the relevant updates in a separate communication.

Safety measures

Face coverings

In line with DfE and government guidance, face coverings are now required in many indoor spaces on campus including:

  • Teaching, research and study spaces
  • Warwick Arts Centre
  • Rootes Grocery Store
  • Takeaway outlets (where there is no seating area for the consumption of food)
  • When moving around office spaces if other people are present

Face coverings are not required:

  • In cafés and restaurants
  • In the Sports and Wellness Hub when in the café or exercising (they are required when moving around the facility)
  • When seated in a socially distanced manner in an office environment

Check the full guidance for face coverings on campus.

1.5m social distancing will continue where space allows in offices and dwell spaces.

Testing

Colleagues (and students) are encouraged to take twice-weekly lateral flow tests. You can collect lateral flow testing kits on campus or order a home testing kit.

These measures will help identify and isolate any positive cases early and, hopefully, reduce onward transmission of the virus to others.

If you experience any Covid-19 symptoms, no matter how mild, you should self-isolate immediately and book a PCR test on campus or at a local site.

Vaccinations

We’re pleased to note high uptake of vaccinations in our community but it’s vital that we all keep up to date with vaccinations and get a booster when eligible, as it’s the best way we can protect ourselves and others. Please book your Covid-19 vaccinations, whether that’s your first or second vaccination, or a booster jab as we look to keep our community safe over the coming months. Vaccinations can be booked through the National Booking Service. Check dates and times of drop-in vaccination clinics in Coventry and Warwickshire here.

Clinically Extremely Vulnerable/medical needs

Individual exemptions apply to those with relevant medical needs or who are Clinically Extremely Vulnerable.

Working from home and on campus

In line with DfE guidance, staff who are not in teaching roles or roles supporting face to face teaching and learning, library, student support and campus services should work from home where possible. You may work on campus if the task requires it, if it’s helpful for collaboration or if it’s better for your personal circumstances.

Face-to-face teaching

Blended teaching and learning will commence as per term 2 timetables on Monday 10 January. Face-to-face teaching will go ahead as planned, but it is recognised that we may need to be flexible with our teaching approach if there a large number of students or staff members self-isolating.

Given this, departments can and should apply discretion and be prepared to be flexible in how they deliver teaching.

Colleagues in non-teaching departments should be prepared for staff shortages and consider what operations and functions need to be prioritised.

Winter graduation

We have taken the difficult decision to postpone our winter graduation ceremonies. We believe this is the best course of action to keep our community safe and to give graduands the chance to celebrate their achievements properly, when the time comes. We’ve contacted graduands, and are making plans to arrange celebrations in the summer for all graduates who have been unable to attend ceremonies due to the pandemic.

As always, we’ll update you as soon as possible if there are any changes to guidance.

Update (20 Jan) following Government announcement

Following the recent government announcement, and in line with existing Plan B regulations continuing until January 26, the wearing of face coverings is to continue as it has been so far during term 2 along with other guidance in place. The University will consider the new situation in the light of any sector specific guidance and we'll share an update next week. Thank you for your ongoing support as we keep our community safe.