Further to the Prime Minister’s announcement on Sunday, 10 May, although we are awaiting more detailed information about the Government’s plans in relation to current lockdown restrictions, we want to be clear with colleagues that there will be no immediate change to the way we have been operating on and off campus over recent weeks.
Colleagues who have been working from home should continue to do so and, for many staff, this may continue for a considerable length of time.
We understand that further details about the Government’s plans will be published later today (11 May) and over the course of this week. It is clear already, however, that the process will be a gradual one over a period of months, and there is potential for restrictions to be both reduced or increased, depending on the extent to which COVID-19 continues to spread.
We recognise there are colleagues who have worked on campus throughout the lockdown, many of whom are sustaining vital on campus services and undertaking research into COVID-19, and we are, as ever, hugely grateful to them for all their work.
The return of other colleagues, and ultimately students, will happen on a phased basis once both Government guidance indicates it is appropriate and we are able to implement suitable measures around social distancing and hygiene. Staff and student safety and wellbeing remains our highest priority and we are considering very carefully how we can maintain this on campus through social distancing, enhanced cleaning and a wide range of other measures.
Please keep checking your email and our Staff FAQs pages for the latest updates.