Dear colleague/student,
In the next few days, we may hear more detail about how the UK Government plans to start lifting the current measures in place to tackle the coronavirus pandemic.
We are paying close attention to evolving government advice about restarting activities and have been planning for a number of different scenarios to enable us to increase different areas of work on campus. This is, of course, being done in a careful and planned way, to protect everyone’s safety and wellbeing.
In recent weeks, we have found that our research laboratories have been used successfully, for example for photonics research supporting the study of COVID-19 and for the production of PPE. In addition, we are aware that there are staff and doctoral students who are keen to restart their research.
Therefore, we are planning to pilot the restarting of one or two other research groups, in line with Government advice and with appropriate social distancing in place. We will be having conversations through the Faculties and School about those research groups who are keen to take part in this pilot activity. In addition, we will be working with those in the selected groups and the campus Trades Unions, prior to activity starting.
For all other staff, please be aware that existing measures remain in place. This means working from home, except for designated essential workers and those with permission from their Dean or Head of Department through Silver Emergency Management Team (EMT). See more information on working from home.
If you do have permission from a Dean or Head of Department to come on to campus, please go to the Library as soon as you arrive and check in with the Security helpdesk. It is vital that our Security staff know who is on campus for safety reasons.
For more information on the University response to the coronavirus pandemic please visit the Coronavirus (COVID-19) topic page for advice for staff and students and COVID-19 news page for updates about our research and local initiatives.
Kind regards, Professor Bernie Morley, Deputy Vice-Chancellor and Provost Keith Zimmeman, Chief Operating Officer