On Monday 21 February, the Government published its new ‘Living with COVID-19‘ plan, and the Department for Education published more detailed guidance for the higher education sector.
One community
The University has reviewed the new guidance and discussed the next phase of the pandemic with our local health protection board, with your safety and wellbeing as our top priority.
We will take a sensible and gradual approach, based on risk, dealing with the pandemic as one community. Please continue to show respect and care for each other, particularly those who remain extremely vulnerable in our community:
- Face coverings – We will continue to encourage the wearing of face coverings in crowded and enclosed spaces. This exceeds the new Government advice, but is a measure of personal protection as well as a gesture of respect and care for others in our community until case numbers reduce further, and until we approach warmer weather.
- Testing – While the Government stopped universities from distributing free lateral flow tests to students and staff, they are still available for free from the gov.uk website or can be collected from local pharmacies until 1 April 2022. We will continue to offer, and encourage, twice-weekly testing with our Hampshire and Isle of Wight Saliva Testing Programme.
- Stay at home if you feel unwell for any reason – If you feel unwell, or are exhibiting cold, flu or COVID-like symptoms, please stay at home. We still encourage you to report any positive cases to help us monitor our community.
- Vaccines and boosters – We will continue to actively encourage members of our community to take part in the vaccine and booster programme and get booster shots when available.
- Practise good hygiene – Please continue to use sanitiser gel and ensure you are washing your hands thoroughly and regularly.
- Please continue to respect and support each other – Our community has demonstrated great care, respect and thoughtfulness throughout the pandemic and continues to be vital to our success as a University and the wellbeing of our community.
For COVID-19 information, please visit the University website.
