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Phased campus reopening update

28 May 2020

A message from Nalin Thakkar, Chair of the Campus Reopening and Corporate Support Group

Phased return to campus

As we continue to operate within Government Covid-19 alert level ‘4’, the guidance is that we must continue to work from home where we can. However the Campus Re-opening and Corporate Support Group (CRCSG) has preparations well underway to resume some scientific research activity, in addition to essential work, as we are now satisfied that it is safe to do so. CRCSG is currently consulting with key stakeholders to ensure that all guidance and documentation will sufficiently ensure the health, safety and well-being of staff returning to campus. Once this has been completed, all relevant documentation and guidance will be available on Staffnet.

Water treatment and testing has now been completed across campus, and resources required to ensure social distancing in priority areas have been secured.

This means that FBMH, FSE and Humanities can prioritise areas to be re-opened for business-critical work. In line with this process, the first four buildings for reopening in FBMH and two in FSE have been identified and Faculties will manage the reopening of the facilities and laboratories within these buildings.

An important factor in how quickly priority areas may be re-opened is the mobilisation and availability of staff. Any staff required to return to campus, whether working from home, or furloughed, will be given as much notice as possible. Usually they will receive at least one week’s notice and line managers will:

  •  talk to staff about any plans to end furlough as early as possible
  • enable staff to raise any concerns or problems about returning to work

Some buildings will be opened over the next few weeks to allow for staff to collect equipment/items they need to support working from home or teaching. Information on this will be communicated locally in the coming days.

Further information

We have developed a StaffNet site with more information about the Campus Reopening and Corporate Support Group.  Over the coming weeks, these latest updates, announcements and frequently asked questions will be published there.