This is a message from the Chief Operating Officer.
Dear Colleagues,
I am writing to update you on the implications for the University of yesterday’s Government announcement about the need for a further extension of the Tier 4 COVID restrictions in England, and about the date changes for the planned “staggered” return of students during January.
In line with the Government announcement, our education delivery has now temporarily moved online, until at least 1 February (the start of Semester 2). This means there will be no in-person, on-campus teaching, until we advise you otherwise – with the exception of Medicine, Health Sciences and PGCE students. These students will be able to continue their placements and/or in person on campus teaching as planned.
These changes to Government guidance are a result of the increase in national transmission rates for Covid-19 due, in part, to the advent of a new strain of the virus. We have therefore decided that before students are allowed to return to campus, they must have participated in the University’s saliva testing programme and have received two consecutive negative results. Between these two tests students will also be required to self-isolate and must not come to campus.
All new and returning students will receive communications from the University today to ensure they are aware of these latest changes.
This is disappointing, but we have no option as the Government has formally asked all universities in England to take this action, irrespective of their particular circumstances. The Minister’s letter regarding these changes can be found here. We expect further guidance from Government in mid-January.
Southampton and Winchester are in Tier 4 which does allow travel for purposes of work, where working from home in not possible. However, in the light of these new Government guidelines only essential staff, including those teaching the priority face to face courses listed above, will be allowed access to our campuses. A limited number of campus services such as take-away catering, libraries and study space will remain open, whilst all other facilities will close. Associate Deans Research and Directors of Research Centres will be reviewing access to laboratories to ensure these are only being used for essential work.
The University Executive Board will provide further information during the first week of January and will assess the University’s DfE tier status at that point.
Kind regards, and all best wishes for the New Year
Richard
Richard Middleton
Chief Operating Officer
