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Be safe on campus and in Bath during the Covid-19 pandemic

Find out how to stay safe and reduce the risk of coronavirus (Covid-19) infection at the University. (Updated 22 February 2022)

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Be safe. Be kind. Belong...Together

Worldwide, we’ve had to adapt to a new reality – Covid-19 has meant we’ve all had to make changes to the way we live. By working together as a community, we can take steps individually and together, to minimise risk.

We all want to have a great year at Bath, together. We are sharing spaces designed for pre-Covid times, so we need to adapt in a few simple ways. Whether on campus, in shared accommodation, or in the city of Bath, there are a few things we can all do to keep ourselves and others safe. Please note that this information may be revised in light of evolving UK Government and public health guidance.

The Prime Minister’s statement on 19 January, the lifting of Plan B measures between now and 27 January, and the amended Higher Education guidance received on 20 January will affect our plans for Semester 2. We will continue to keep both any new guidance and the public health situation under review throughout the academic year in case we need to make changes.

Be safe. Be kind. Belong...Together

Safe spaces to work and study

You may notice further changes to University buildings and our campus as we put in place measures to enhance safety and wellbeing. These changes have been based on government guidance for higher education providers.

Our health and safety team have been working on appropriate changes and mitigations for different environments on campus. Different factors need to be taken into account in terms of the locations people are in, how long people are spending together and how close people are together.

Some of the measures you will see include:

  • Maximising ventilation of spaces and moving the orientation of some work and study spaces
  • Hand sanitiser stations at building entrances and exits and enhanced cleaning regimes
  • Due to the considerable flow of students and staff in the Chancellor’s Building and 8 West, Level 2, Level 3 and the ramp to the West Car Park, the current one-way systems will remain in operation in these buildings. All other buildings and spaces will be determined by the Faculty and the key building user(s).
  • Occupancy guidelines for many spaces
  • Booking system for study spaces in University buildings so we can ensure the capacity is managed safely

While we don't have strict social distancing restrictions in place across campus, please be aware that other people may be more comfortable keeping a social distance. Close contact should still be minimised wherever safe and possible, through your work risk assessments. This should not override other safety requirements e.g. for safe manual handling.

Where face-to-face or close working cannot be avoided (for example reception desks), screens will be deployed according to local risk assessments.

Face coverings

We will keep this under review, but in order to provide the safest possible environment for staff and students, and in light of the relatively high local case rates, we are continuing the approach we took in Semester 1 and strongly recommending students and staff to wear face coverings in the following situations:

  • When moving around in indoor public spaces, such as corridors
  • In study spaces and the Library, including when seated
  • In retail and hospitality outlets, unless seated to eat/drink
  • For students during lectures and seminars. In order to enable effective learning, teaching staff are not expected to wear face coverings in teaching spaces, but should feel free to wear face coverings and/or visors out of personal choice
  • In designated ‘face covering required’ spaces
  • When a local risk assessment requires it, such as when administering first aid.

Public Health advice is that three ply face coverings are most effective. These need to be put on and taken off carefully, correctly worn and stored properly when not in use in order to be effective. Full details are available on how to wear a face covering from Gov.uk.

There are limited circumstances, for instance for health, age or equality reasons, where people are not able to wear face coverings.

We support the hidden disabilities sunflower lanyard as a method for those who wish to discretely indicate that they are exempt from mask use. If you need one, please drop into Student Services in 4 West to collect one or email them to request one be sent to you at your Bath address. If people cannot wear face coverings for these reasons, please be kind and considerate.

Central Stores still has a supply of free reusable, three-ply face coverings, as well as clear face coverings to enable communication with people who may need to lip read for purchase. You can read more about communicating with deaf colleagues and students when face masks and coverings are being worn. Departments can order face coverings for distribution to staff and students. Please contact Central Stores.

Hand hygiene

One important way we can help protect ourselves and each other is to wash our hands thoroughly, for at least 20 seconds, every time you arrive at the University or get home, blow your nose, sneeze or cough, use the toilet, or eat or handle food.

Please use the hand sanitisers at the entrances and exits to buildings.

We are also providing sanitiser and paper towels so you can wipe down study spaces before and after you use them. Please help our community to stay safe.

Covid-19 testing

On Monday 21 February, the UK Government removed guidance for staff and students in education and childcare settings to undertake twice weekly asymptomatic testing. We await further information about whether universities will be authorised to distribute remaining stocks of LFT tests. We understand that it is still possible to order rapid tests online, although the government will end free symptomatic and asymptomatic testing for the general public at the start of April 2022.

If you do have coronavirus symptoms, or are self isolating, you should not come to campus. Find out how to get a free NHS PCR test if you have symptoms of coronavirus, if you have a home test kit, read the instructions carefully and watch the short film on how to take a coronavirus self-test swab.

If you are a student living in University accommodation and experience symptoms, you must not come to the post room and collect or drop off the test. Call Security on extension 5349 (from a mobile 01225 385349) and they will arrange secure drop off and collection. If you need to travel to a testing site for a Covid-19 test Security can help you with transport in a Covid-secure vehicle, call extension 5349 (from a mobile 01225 385349).

Vaccinations

Getting fully vaccinated gives you the best protection against coronavirus (Covid-19). The University encourages all members of our student and staff community to get vaccinated as soon as they can, in line with World Health Organisation and UK Government advice and, if you are receiving a vaccination that requires two doses, to have had them both prior to the start of the 2021/22 academic year if possible. If not possible, please get vaccinated as soon as you can. Check if you are eligible for a booster, and we’d encourage you to get a booster as soon as possible.

Detailed information about Covid-19 vaccinations can be found here.

Covid symptoms and self-isolation

If you have symptoms of Covid-19 you must not come to campus or to University buildings. Stay in your accommodation and follow the ‘Isolate, Test, Tell’ guidance.

If you are a staff member, please follow the guidance for colleagues online. This includes what to do if someone you live with is self-isolating or tests positive.

If you are a line manager and your staff member has reported this to you, please follow the guidance for line managers online. This includes what to do if someone they live with is self-isolating or tests positive.

If you are a student, please tell us as soon as possible so we can support you. If you're in University accommodation, please read further information.

Take care of our local community

We know that our students and staff feel lucky to count Bath as their home or workplace. It is a welcoming and beautiful city and we all want to carry on playing our part to be good neighbours and citizens. Please be aware that some local residents may be vulnerable due to health conditions, they may have caring responsibilities or be working long hours as key workers.

We ask that all members of our community are mindful, patient and kind in our interactions with local residents.

In this way, we can build a community of mutual respect as good neighbours and work together to help keep one another safe.

The Student Community Partnership aims to help manage any issues which may arise related to university students living in the city of Bath. Contact the Student Community Partnership for more information.

Sources of support

It’s only natural that changing our ways and living with restrictions can cause tension, frustration and anxiety. Now more than ever, we need to talk. If you're a student, you can contact:

If you're a member of staff, you can:

Safety apps to download

Watch the Be Safe video

Hear from members of the University community as they explain what we can all do to keep ourselves and others safe, on campus, in shared accommodation, and in the city of Bath.

Be Safe on Campus and in Bath from University of Bath on Vimeo.