As the colder months approach, we are seeing seasonal illnesses and COVID rates increase. This is something we have planned for, and we have protocols ready for any increase in COVID cases, and the support we may need to provide. As part of our measures we are once again offering staff and PGRs free flu vaccines – currently all slots are booked and we will update if more spaces become available.
Southampton General Hospital has introduced further measures appropriate to the setting, and colleagues and students in these areas have been notified.
For other parts of our University, our current measures and guidance remain in place:
- Wearing face coverings in our buildings is a matter of personal choice. Please continue to be respectful and considerate of those that choose to wear them – each individual circumstance will be different, and there are different comfort levels around “living with COVID”.
- It is important to remember that many colleagues and students will have travelled, or be travelling, to and from countries where there are increased measures still in place, and who may feel more comfortable continuing to wear face coverings, amongst other measures.
- Stay at home if you feel unwell – whether this is due to COVID like symptoms or not.
- Maintain good hand hygiene – this is a simple precaution we can all take to help prevent the spread of illnesses. The University will continue to provide hand sanitiser in our buildings.
- Perspex screens in some lecture theatres will, for the time being, stay in place. Screens in retail spaces and buses will also stay in place.
- The Estates and Facilities teams continue to monitor and maintain ventilation systems, prioritising spaces in-line with legislation, best practice and health and safety guidance.
- Estates and Facilities will also continue with processes put in place over the last two years to maximise natural and mechanical ventilation.
- We encourage all our community to get vaccinated if you have not already done so, including any booster jabs available.
We are well prepared should any changes to our guidance or measures be required and will update colleagues and students accordingly.
