Coronavirus information for staff and students
25 Feb 2020
Last reviewed on 27/02/20 at 14:00 and last updated on 25/02/20 at 13:30
This advice is correct at the time of publication of this news article. For the latest information, please check Public Health England and the University’s coronavirus website.
Our latest advice and support is available on a frequently asked questions document.
If you have health concerns then you should contact visit the NHS website for the latest guidance as recommended by Public Health England, however to make other queries regarding the current situation you can email simon-merrywest@manchester.ac.uk.
Last updated on 25/02/20 about advice regarding return from other countries affected by coronavirus.
Q: I have just returned from travel elsewhere, what should I do?
A: Public Health England has updated advice regarding returning from travel. It provides the most up-to-date information and guidance for different parts of the world. We use Public Health England as the basis of advice to students and staff as to what they should do upon return from travel from any of the currently identified areas of concern.
Message from the President and Vice-Chancellor (31/01/20 at 10.30am)
Dear colleague,
Many of you will no doubt have been following the news of the coronavirus outbreak in China which has been raised with me in my meetings with staff and students this week.
It has also been reported that there are some confirmed cases in the UK, and though no further details have been released, I am writing to assure you that our University is doing everything possible to ensure the safety of our staff and students and will continue to provide guidance, based on the latest UK Government advice, to our community.
We have been in contact with our staff and students in mainland China who are on University business, studying or on a placement and have taken steps to repatriate them, where appropriate.
We also recommend that all other students who are in China return to the UK if they are able to do so. If you are a Chinese national and unable to return to the UK, please let your School or line manager know so that arrangements can be put in place to support your studies or work and to reassure you. We are very keen to stay in contact and help however we can.
The Foreign and Commonwealth Office’s (FCO) latest travel advice is that there should be no non-essential travel to mainland China and advises against all travel to Hubei Province. Staff and students, therefore, should not travel to China before the end of February or until the FCO advice changes. We will continue to monitor FCO advice and will review the situation following 10 February when many Chinese businesses are currently due to reopen following an extended public holiday.
It is important to state that the NHS is prepared and used to managing infections, and Public Health England has stressed that there is not a high risk to the public. However, on campus we are asking you to familiarise yourself with the latest advice from Public Health England.
This is a fast-moving situation and I and senior colleagues are reviewing our response and guidance on a daily basis – which means we will issue further updates. We will continue to carry out our normal teaching and other activities as normal while taking regular advice.
We appreciate that this is a worrying time for our staff and students, especially those from China and those who may have friends and relatives in the affected regions – and we ask that we act together as a University community in supporting each other through this difficult time.
We have compiled a frequently asked questions which is regularly updated and can be found online. The latest updates are also posted on our staff and student news channels.
If you have a question that cannot be answered using the FAQs, please write to Director for the Student Experience, simon-merrywest@manchester.ac.uk and we will ensure you receive a response.
Kind regards
Nancy Rothwell
President and Vice-Chancellor