As you know, we are continuing to monitor Public Health England (PHE) advice on the coronavirus.
The World Health Organisation (WHO) has declared this a public health emergency of international concern. Although there is now confirmation that two patients in England have tested positive for the virus, PHE remain clear that ‘the risk to individuals in the UK has not changed at this stage’.
Travel from Wuhan and Hubei
PHE is asking anyone who has returned from Wuhan or Hubei province in the last 14 days to:
- Stay indoors and avoid contact with other people
- Call NHS 111 to inform them of your recent travel to the area
They ask that you follow this advice even if you do not have any symptoms of the virus (symptoms include fever, cough, runny nose, sore throat and difficulty breathing).
If this applies to you, you must immediately contact the University’s Advice and Guidance team at advice@liverpool.ac.uk. Staff at the University will then work with you to discuss: the possible need to move to appropriate alternative accommodation; how you will be provided with alternative means of keeping up with your studies; reassurance that authorised non-attendance will not result in visa implications; and any other measures which need to be put in place to ensure that you do not need to leave your room.
For students living in university-owned accommodation, you must also ring reception and ask to speak to a hall warden. They will discuss how to support you, including access to food.
As you will know, the University’s exam period started over 14 days ago (6 January) and travel out of Wuhan has not been possible over the last few days.
Travel from elsewhere in China
If you have travelled from elsewhere in China (but not Macao or Hong Kong) to the UK in the last 14 days and develop symptoms of cough, fever or shortness of breath, you should follow the above advice. Please follow this advice even if your symptoms are minor.
Health advice for all students
Students who feel unwell and develop problems with their breathing should telephone (rather than visit) their GP or ring NHS 111 for advice.
For all our students in the UK, in line with advice from the Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO), we would ask you to follow these basic hygiene rules to protect your own health and that of others:
- Wash your hands regularly
- Maintain good personal hygiene
- Seek medical attention if you develop problems with breathing within 14 days of visiting Wuhan or Hubei province, either in China, or on return to the UK (please inform your GP or the health service you intend to visit before your arrival about recent travel to the city)
Full details of PHE’s advice are available here.
Travel to China
The FCO is advising against all but essential travel to anywhere in mainland China. Further information is available here.
As semester has now started, we would not expect students to have immediate travel plans to China but we know that some of you may have made travel plans for the Easter break. We will continue to monitor the FCO’s guidance and update you as this changes.
In addition, FCO advice for students who are in China is to:
- Avoid visiting animal and bird markets
- Avoid people who are ill with breathing problems
- Follow health advice provided by the relevant Chinese authorities
Year in China students have received additional information.
Further information
We are continuing to monitor this situation carefully and will update you further should the advice change. Further information is available here.
We know this may be a distressing time for you and particularly for those students with friends or family in affected regions of China. If you are worried about someone and want to discuss any concerns please go to the Student Welfare Advice and Guidance drop-in in the Alsop Building. The drop-in runs every weekday between 11am-3pm.