Lifting of COVID-19 Plan B restrictions
An Email sent to all staff on Friday 21 January updating on the lifting of Covid-19 restrictions.
Dear colleagues,
On Wednesday 19 January, the Prime Minister announced that England will return fully to ‘Plan A’ from Thursday 27 January. Since yesterday, the Government is no longer asking people to work from home if they can, and from Thursday 27 January, the Government will no longer require the wearing of face masks in any setting (unless required by a risk assessment), but guidance will continue to suggest individuals should continue to wear them in crowded and enclosed spaces.
We recognise that there are a wide range of views and feelings about the pandemic and how guidelines should be interpreted, and we will therefore continue with our cautious approach. This is summarised below.
Working together to stay safe
Our working together to stay safe guidelines remain in place. Our approach is based on risk assessments. Measures in place include:
- set occupancy levels in all teaching, laboratory and office spaces
- ventilation;
- cleaning and hygiene;
- lateral flow device testing and self-isolation advice;
- encouraging vaccination take up; and
- support for staff and students.
Face coverings
Acknowledging the safety measures we have in place, and the new government guidelines from 24 January, we will revert to our position on face coverings prior to the implementation of Plan B in December.
From Monday 24 January our ground rules on face coverings will be:
- We encourage staff and students to wear face coverings whilst moving through crowded indoor spaces
- We expect staff and students to wear face coverings in teaching spaces when asked to do so by a member of staff (no-one will be denied access to a teaching event for not wearing a face covering)
- We require people to wear a face covering where a specific risk assessment (approved by the relevant Executive Dean with their Health and Safety Manager) identifies the need
The above ground rules do not apply to individuals who are exempt from wearing face coverings.
We ask everyone to consider the needs and feelings of others in our community and to continue to show the understanding, respect and support for each other that has been a hallmark of our collective approach throughout this pandemic. Please remember that there are sometimes hidden reasons why people choose to wear face coverings or cannot wear them, or why people might ask those around them to wear them.
Over the next few weeks signage will be amended to indicate where face coverings are required.
Working on campus
Whilst the Government is no longer advising that people work from home, please continue with your current working arrangements until your line manager informs you otherwise.
Lateral Flow Testing
Lateral flow home test kits can be collected from the LUU helpdesk or the Laidlaw, Edward Boyle, Brotherton and Health Sciences libraries. Supply is limited, so please only take what you need. Kits are also available from local pharmacies or they can be ordered online from the GOV.UK website.
Asymptomatic test centre at Cromer Terrace will close today, Friday 21 January
As lateral flow home test kits have now been replenished at collection points on campus the asymptomatic test centre will close at the end of today.
New COVID-19 vaccination centre
Final dates have been added for staff and students to book a COVID-19 booster jab or their first dose of the vaccine at a new vaccination centre near campus. Walk-ins are also being accepted without an appointment. Located in Old Broadcasting House, Leeds Beckett University, Woodhouse Lane, the centre is open from 10am to 5pm on Friday 21, Tuesday 25 and Friday 28 January only.
Communicating with students and PGRs
Later today, we will also be sharing a version of this update with students and PGRs.
As ever, I thank you for your continued support and dedication in keeping our University community safe.
With best wishes,
Dennis Hopper
Interim Chief Operating Officer
Posted in: Staff website