The latest updates on City's response to Coronavirus.
Latest update (21/07/21) – As of Monday 19th July, the Government has moved to Step 4 of the roadmap with the lifting of most restrictions.
The Government is allowing for a full return to face-to face teaching in higher education and the instruction for people to work from home where possible has been removed so employers can start to plan a phased return to workplaces.
What this means for City
In line with DfE Guidance to HE providers and following Government guidance, City is working towards an increased return to campus for staff, students and visitors.
Following the removal of most restrictions, we plan to deliver most of academic and social activities on-campus and in-person from September 2021.
The safety of our community continues to be our top priority and we are continuing a number of existing measures to keep our community safe.
We are monitoring national and local guidance on Covid-19 and are ready to respond and potentially adapt elements of our approach, if required.
How we will keep our campus safe
The safety of our community continues to be our top priority. As we have done throughout the pandemic, we will continue to follow Government and Public Health England guidance and Health and Safety legislation. Some of the key steps we are taking to ensure everyone’s safety on campus are:
- Ventilation: Air handling units (in City owned premises and in keeping with HSE guidance) are switched to fresh air (no recirculated air); where natural ventilation exists, the windows are to be open
- Continuing to update risk assessments for all activities
- Reduced occupancy will be maintained in offices and teaching spaces as we transition to the new academic year
- Hand sanitisation stations will remain across our buildings
- Our enhanced cleaning programme will continue, and cleaning products will be available for colleagues to wipe down surfaces before and after use
- One-way arrows will remain in our buildings
- Retaining safety screens for our reception and library desks.
- Offering ongoing support for self-isolation – if you have symptoms, please stay at home, get a test and inform us.
- Ensuring vulnerable individuals are supported
- We will continue to follow our Covid-19 Outbreak Plan which is approved by our local branch of Public Health England and kept under review.
What you need to do when you are on campus
- All staff, students and visitors who are on campus should take asymptomatic tests twice a week to help reduce the spread of Covid-19, and only come to campus if this test is negative. You can access free lateral flow tests by ordering home tests from the Government website, collecting them from your local pharmacy or using your local testing centre.
- You are expected to wear a face covering in potentially crowded or enclosed spaces, unless they are exempt. This includes when you are moving around inside buildings on campus, some teaching spaces, corridors or kitchens.
- Please respect other people’s decision to wear a face covering and, where possible, wear a face covering if someone else is uncomfortable.
- Please be aware that face coverings remain a requirement on London public transport and are a condition of carriage.
- Wash your hands with soap and water or use hand sanitiser regularly throughout the day.
- Notify City if you have symptoms of Covid-19, test positive or are self-isolating – you must let us know by completing this form. This applies whether you are on campus or working or studying remotely.
- Stay at home if unwell – if you feel unwell but do not have Covid-19 symptoms, or your Covid-19 test is negative, you may still have an illness which could be passed on to other people.
It is important to consider that some members of our community may wish to take a cautious approach when on campus. Please be considerate of this and try to provide space for others. We must continue to work together and be kind as we navigate this next step.
In England, the Covid-19 vaccine is now being offered to all people who are aged 18 and over. In addition, if you have had your first vaccine dose, you may be eligible to move the date for your second dose forward so it is sooner than the 12-week gap. You can find more information and book your appointment online.
We will update this page and contact staff and students directly via email as and when there are any additional changes.