We are preparing to welcome staff and students back in September. I realise some of you, our neighbours, may have some concerns about the reopening of our campuses so I want to tell you about the measures the university has put in place to help keep us all safe.
Since the lockdown in March, we have focused on making our university environments safe and accessible for everyone. We're excited to welcome our students back to campus and safety remains our top priority.
Our term will start as planned on Monday 14 September and we aim to ensure that all of our students are able to experience a safe and happy campus life.
We expect our halls of residence, libraries and social spaces to reopen with additional safety measures and social distancing in place, in line with government advice.
We have installed hand sanitiser stations, one-way systems and new plans for our rooms and facilities to ensure we keep our students and staff safe. We will record details of people visiting our libraries and catering facilities in line with government guidance.
On-campus sessions will take place in line with social distancing rules and be complemented by online lectures and seminars.
Teaching staff will wear face shields and stand at least two metres back from the class. Students, staff and visitors will wear face coverings inside our buildings and vehicles unless they are exempt from doing so.
There will be increased levels of cleaning, with a focus on key touch points, such as door handles, handrails and communal areas.
Social distancing will operate on our inter-campus buses so we will be increasing the frequency of our services.
Students coming to stay in halls from abroad can quarantine for up to 14 days rent free.
We are working with our local councils to ensure that any cases among our students or staff are managed in co-ordination with them, and also to support their efforts to provide Covid-19 testing.
Students and staff who develop symptoms or test positive are required to inform the university so that appropriate measures can be put in place.
The welfare of our students, staff and neighbours is at the heart of everything we do at the university. We will continue to work with partners to minimise risks and make the return of students as safe as possible for everyone.
Professor Jane Harrington, Vice-Chancellor, University of Greenwich
