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Travel to or through Paris

16 Nov 2015

Advice to University colleagues in wake of terrorist attacks

Following the tragic events in Paris on Friday a number of staff have been in touch regarding future travel into, or through, Paris.

The University’s position is as follows:

  • Firstly, the need to travel should be re-evaluated.  If staff or students are not comfortable travelling then they must not do so.
  • Secondly, for any travel into, or through Paris (including CDG), the risk assessment for travel should be reviewed and signed off by the appropriate Head of School/Director.  For the majority of travellers low level risk assessments will have been appropriate.  As the risk picture has now changed, these must at least be documented for this specific trip.  A sample risk assessment is available on the Intranet at: Example risk assessment for travel to Western European city
  • Thirdly, please ensure that the fact you are travelling to/through Paris is registered with your HoS/HoSA/Director.  It is important that, where possible, your travel is booked via the Egencia travel system.  By doing so, we are able to follow up quickly in the event of an incident.  

The current Foreign and Commonwealth Office advice is:

On Friday, 13 November, a number of terrorist incidents took place in Paris resulting in widespread casualties. British nationals are advised to exercise caution in public places and follow the advice of the local authorities. French authorities have heightened security measures due to a risk of further attacks. The advice of the Paris Police is currently to keep movement around town to a minimum. Systematic border control checks have been implemented at all entry points into France. A national state of emergency and a three-day period of mourning have been declared (14-16 November). Public gatherings, the flying of drones and use of fireworks in the Ile de France region (Paris and surrounding area) have been prohibited.

If the situation changes significantly, we will update this advice, which is current as of Monday, 16 November 2015.