Coronavirus Update

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Monday January 4, 2021

I am writing to you following the Prime Minister’s announcement this evening about new, stricter, lockdown rules due to come into force on Wednesday.

Having checked what this means with the CEO of UUK, I can confirm that everything I detailed in my letter to you on December 31 still stands, with the addition announced this evening that Higher Education provision will remain online until mid-February for all except future critical worker courses which includes health and teacher education.

I have been reassured by Government that students can still attend campus, but only if it is essential to do so.

Until any further announcements, students should only attend campus:

If it is absolutely essential to do so to enable them to use a private study space individually where they do not have appropriate access to online study facilities at home or in their local accommodation. This means that students in Halls at Orlando Village can use campus facilities individually when they wish.
Where students need to attend campus individual study spaces for their own wellbeing and mental health.
Students on courses in the Health Faculty will be able to continue to attend their scheduled on-campus teaching sessions as necessary for their clinical course as already planned from this week.
Teacher education will also continue as planned.

If possible, staff and students should seek a COVID test, if available, prior to returning to campus.

Staff and students are being encouraged by the Government to make use of an asymptomatic testing facility at Bolton One on their arrival at the University, via an online booking system:

Seat Availability - LibCal - University of Bolton Library

All other courses will return to the usual arrangements in mid-February unless announced otherwise.

The safety and welfare of our students and staff is always our priority and sadly the numbers of infections and deaths across the UK as we start 2021 are of concern. This is why students and staff who do not (by virtue of their course of study or work) need to attend campus should stay at home. Essential operational and maintenance staff must attend as required to keep facilities open in line with Government requirements.

Our online teaching has been operating successfully, along with face-to-face teaching, up to the Christmas holidays.

Online learning will continue now by Government instructions until further notice (probably mid-February), with the exception of health and teacher education which, as I have outlined above, will also be face-to-face as planned.

All staff who are required to attend the University are recognised by the Government as Key Workers and can travel and attend campus freely despite the latest restrictions.

Staff not specifically required should follow national guidance and stay at home, but continue to work remotely.

For full details following tonight’s announcement by the Prime Minister, please visit https://www.gov.uk/guidance/national-lockdown-stay-at-home

Thank you and stay safe.

Professor George E Holmes DL
President and Vice Chancellor
University of Bolton

Important new Information on Government Policy affecting Universities

Yesterday all University Heads in England received a direction by letter from The Minister of State for Universities in relation to the arrangements for the start of term in January. This morning (New Year’s Eve) I attended a meeting with the Minister to clarify certain aspects of this direction. I can now provide a summary of the key issues for all staff and students :

The Minister confirmed that there is no evidence that face to face on campus teaching poses a significant risk of CV 19 infections, however the Government wishes to minimise the mass movement of students (including daily commuting) in early January during this current critical stage in the pandemic. This is to reduce the potential for overwhelming the NHS. The Minister also confirmed that international students, upon arrival in the UK, must comply with all quarantine requirements and thereafter should be treated as domestic students for the purpose of this direction.

I am therefore directed by the DfE to ensure that :

Students only attend campus between 4 and 25 January 2021:

A) if it is absolutely essential for them to do so to enable them to use a private study space individually in cases where they do not have appropriate access to online study facilities at home or in their local accommodation;

B) where students need to attend campus individual study spaces for their own wellbeing and mental health.

Courses in the Health Faculty will be able to continue to attend their scheduled on campus teaching sessions as necessary for their clinical course as already planned from the week commencing 4 January 2021. Teacher Education will also continue as planned.

All other courses will return to usual arrangements from 25 January 2021.

Ideally staff and students should seek a COVID test (if available) prior to returning to campus. However staff and students are being encouraged by Government to make use of the asymptomatic Testing facility on their arrival at the University and access to the booking facility in Bolton One is available from the 5/1/21 via:

Seat Availability - LibCal - University of Bolton Library

This booking system can be used for staff as well as students (for the purpose of the booking staff should regard themselves as students).

Each department head will be setting up local staffing rotas to ensure adequate but minimum on campus staffing levels between 4 January and 25 January. This will allow the campus to be open for students who have an absolute need to be on campus as set out in A and B above (and also for Health and Teacher Education courses to continue as originally planned).

To summarise, if students can study in their local accommodation or at home from 4 to 25 January they should do so. Only attend campus if essential. Study spaces in the library, the Student Services centre and IT centres etc will remain open on a skeleton staffing basis. Staff should check with their line manager if they are required on campus during the period 4 to 25 January. All staff who are required to attend are recognised by the Government as Key Workers and can travel and attend campus freely despite Tier 4 restrictions. Only essential and skeleton staffing as determined by their immediate line manager should attend campus - all staff not specifically required should follow national guidance and stay at home. Online teaching for all courses will continue throughout this period as scheduled.

Professor G Holmes DL
Vice Chancellor
31 December 2020

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This is the interim institutional Covid(19) risk assessment for the University of Bolton, which forms the basis for the control measures which are in place on campus.

This assessment is under review and will be updated following any changes in HM Government regulation or Public Health England guidance.

Any staff attending campus must have prior approval from the Registrar – and will be briefed on the contents of this risk assessment and the subsequent controls prior to starting work on campus.

The assessment has been considered by the Employees Forum, Trade Unions and Health and Safety Committee prior to publication.

David Thurston – H&S Manager

Please click here to download the Coronavirus (COVID-19) risk assessment document.

1. The Head of Service or Head of School of the individual concerned, must e-mail (at least 2 working days prior to the proposed visit unless there are exceptional circumstances) the Registrar and copy in the H&S Advisor to the Vice Chancellor and the Executive Director HR with:

The reasons for attendance
The date (if this is a one-off visit)
The days (if this is a regular visit) – with the date of the first visit
Confirmation that the employee has been consulted and is content with attendance, if approved, and HR Business Partner advised if any concerns
Confirmation that the task cannot be undertaken at home/remotely
Confirmation that the individual is NOT:

i. Shielded (has a letter from the NHS);
ii. Self-isolating (as a result of an infection in their household or a notification through track and trace);
iii. Currently experiencing the recognised symptoms of Covid(19):

1. High fever
2. New continuous cough
3. Change / loss of sense of taste / smell

2. The Registrar, will approve the single visit the series of visits to campus/or not.

3. If the visit(s) to campus is approved then:

If the member of staff needs to use public transport, then they must think about social distancing, where possible staying two meters away from others and avoiding touching surfaces. The member of staff should wear face coverings on public transport.
The member of staff MUST NOT travel to campus sharing a car with someone outside their own household.

4. On arrival on the first day the member of staff must undertake a Covid(19) secure induction and must:

Sign an induction attendance sheet to confirm their understanding of the Covid(19) secure measures that are in force and their agreement to adhere to them on campus;
Collect face coverings, and if required gloves.

5. The Head of School/Head of Service is responsible for ensuring that the member of staff is notified of any induction arrangements, and that the individual undertakes that induction prior to working on campus.

The University has put in place the interim protocol shown above to ensure the safety of its staff during this pandemic and expects all staff to adhere to it.

Please remember that 'Health and Safety' is everyone’s responsibility, and any breach of this interim protocol will be viewed as a serious matter.

Please click here for a Statement for Applicants on Covid operations

Update March 24th 2020

The Prime Minister introduced unprecedented restrictions on everyday life from today meaning people must leave their house for one of only four reasons – to exercise once a day, to travel to and from work where “absolutely necessary”, to shop for essential items, and to fulfil any medical or care needs.

Programmes of study continue by virtual teaching sessions and continued contact remotely with their tutors.

The University of Bolton is famous for our student satisfaction and our teaching quality.

Even though the Government’s scientific advice says we cannot meet together in the same way during the ‘social distancing’ phase of the coronavirus epidemic, we will continue to provide our degrees and ensure students can graduate safely.

Following the announcement by the Government about the partial closure of schools and colleges, and as the number of suspected COVID 19 cases increases nationally, I wanted to provide a detailed update for students.

The advice from the Chief Medical Officer, that individuals with any symptoms whatsoever should self-isolate, is beginning to impact on our operational efficiency as a University.

As fewer students attend campus and staffing levels become significantly affected by individuals taking proper precautions, in the light of the Secretary of State’s latest decisions, I have reviewed the operations of the University going forward.

We therefore need to move to a method of delivering our programmes to students so that they can continue their education throughout the academic year without the need for classes to meet on campus.

I must stress at the outset that the University of Bolton is NOT closing.

The University will adopt the following arrangements:

From 5pm on Friday 20 March 2020, the Easter vacation will begin early for students and they will no longer be expected to be on campus except for use of the Library on a drop-in and take away basis.

This will NOT include those students and apprentices who are in work placement with employers as an integral part of their Degree course (e.g. Nursing, Midwifery, Degree Apprentices, Teacher Education etc.). The respective Faculties and Schools will coordinate continuity of such placements and teaching.

Almost all staff, except a small number providing essential on-campus services, will work remotely at home.

Teaching will recommence for students on Monday 20 April 2020. However, all classes will be mediated and facilitated using video conferencing technology and will not take place on campus.

The reason for the extended student vacation is to give all teaching staff the time to become familiar with the use of virtual technologies and enable them to individually put in place arrangements with every student to enable them to dial in to normal scheduled class times remotely. Teaching staff will use their normal scheduled teaching slots each week to run a virtual class.

All teaching staff (with the exception of those associated with students in nursing or teacher education) will be working off-campus from Monday March 23.

Effectively, from March 23 2020 to April 20 2020, will be used to ensure that we create an effective virtual technology-based University operation.

This will allow us to very efficiently deliver our courses to students, augmented by our range of learning technologies which make learning materials accessible.

Clearly, engineering workshops and clinical practice sessions will be impossible, but the proposed method of engagement between staff and students should enable significant learning to continue.

Accordingly the University, throughout the remainder of the coronavirus epidemic, will remain very much open for business, but not for the majority of students on campus.

This approach will provide for the safety and isolation of staff and provide gainful employment and professional interaction which will be much needed by those who would otherwise be isolated at home or in family units.

Clearly this is not a perfect solution but it does provide the opportunity to continue, in some form, our degree programmes.

We plan to convene virtual assessment boards to enable us to effectively and efficiently make progression decisions for students and to award degrees.

The fact that the majority of staff will be working remotely and flexibly off campus should assist those with urgent childcare requirements because of the Government decision to close schools.

I am very conscious of the huge effort and strain this national situation has placed upon colleagues.

To provide respite and in the interest of staff well-being, I am asking all staff to take the week beginning 13 April 2020 as officially a holiday week when the institution will effectively be closed in a similar manner to Christmas. All staff, with the exception of security staff will be on compulsory leave to ensure that they rest and recuperate as best they can.

The University will continue its full blown operations off-campus at the start of the Summer Term on Monday 20 April 2020 without the requirement for most staff to attend campus.

These arrangements will continue until the UK’s Chief Medical Officer confirms that the epidemic is subsiding and normal working patterns become appropriate.

Students will be discouraged from working in the Library to avoid social contact, whilst being able to access its facilities either remotely or on a drop-in basis to take away resources.

The lockdown will not end until we are instructed by the Chief Medical Officer that it is safe to return to normal working.

Graduation in July will not go ahead. However, students will receive their degrees in a timely manner to ensure that they are able to proceed to employment. Staff will implement new assessment methods to avoid exams taking place in the traditional way, but appropriate knowledge will be tested.

All students graduating will of course have the opportunity to attend a degree ceremony once things have returned to normal. Nobody will miss out on their opportunity to attend these great occasions with their family.

I can confirm that I have separately communicated the plans going forward to all University staff.

I would finally like to thank all students and staff for their co-operation during this unprecedented situation and urge them to take the best care.

URGENT REMINDER

The University requests that students follow the latest advice to keep themselves and others safe as the coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak unfolds, using the NHS website https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/coronavirus-covid-19/

In addition, the University draws your attention to specific advice for travellers https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/coronavirus-covid-19/advice-for-travellers/ who have returned to the UK from countries/areas* which are currently deemed to be higher risk.

If you have been to one of these places in the last 14 days:

Stay at home, DO NOT ATTEND THE UNIVERSITY, and avoid close contact with other people

do not go to a GP surgery, pharmacy or hospital
do use the NHS 111 online coronavirus service to find out what to do next

The 111 coronavirus service will tell you if you need to continue to stay at home (self-isolate) or if you need medical help.

Any student who has either a confirmed diagnosis of COVID-19 or has been required to self-isolate/take a COVID -19 test, should inform their personal tutor and course leader at the earliest opportunity.

The countries/areas currently identified as being at higher risk are :-

Cambodia
China
Hong Kong
Iran
Italy
Japan
Laos
Macau
Malaysia
Myanmar (Burma)
Singapore
South Korea
Taiwan
Tenerife – only the H10 Costa Adeje Palace Hotel
Thailand
Vietnam

The University continues to carefully monitor Covid(19) advice provided by FCO/WHO/PHE

The University has changed its guidance on travel:

Air travel is restricted to only absolutely essential business which must have prior approval from the Vice Chancellor’s office

(staff should refer to Pat Foster for approvals).

Similarly, visits to London are to be strictly controlled with prior approval being necessary through Pat Foster.

The current (effective 6^th March 2020) Public Health England guidance for individuals returning to the UK is as follows:

Category 1: Travellers should self-isolate, even if asymptomatic, and use the 111 online coronavirus service to find out what to do next. Go home or to your destination and then self isolate.
Category 2: Travellers do not need to undertake any special measures, but if they develop symptoms they should self-isolate and call NHS 111. The guidance for Italy, Iran, Daegu or Cheongdo (Republic of Korea), Laos, Myanmar, Cambodia and Vietnam applies to individuals who returned from these specific areas on or after 19 February 2020.

Category 1 countries/areas	Category 2 countries/areas
Wuhan city and Hubei Province (China, see map)	Cambodia
Iran	China*
Daegu or Cheongdo (Republic of Korea, see map)	Hong Kong
Any Italian town under containment measures (see map)	Italy (see map)
	Japan
	Laos
	Macau
	Malaysia
	Myanmar
	Republic of Korea*
	Singapore
	Taiwan
	Thailand
	Vietnam

Since the last update further information has been issued by HM Government.

As a result ANY and ALL travel on University business to ANY Catergory 1 or Category 2 country or area must now be pre-authorised by the Registrar

Category 1: Travellers should self-isolate, even if asymptomatic, and call NHS 111 to inform of recent travel.

Category 2: Travellers do not need to undertake any special measures, but if they develop symptoms they should self-isolate and call NHS 111.

The guidance for Italy, Iran, Daegu or Cheongdo (Republic of Korea), Laos, Myanmar, Cambodia and Vietnam applies to individuals who returned from these specific areas on or after 19 February 2020.

Category 1 countries/areas	Category 2 countries/areas
Wuhan city and Hubei Province (China, see map)	Cambodia
Iran	China*
Daegu or Cheongdo (Republic of Korea, see map)	Hong Kong
Any Italian town under containment measures (see map)	Italy (see map)
	Japan
	Laos
	Macau
	Malaysia
	Myanmar
	Republic of Korea*
	Singapore
	Taiwan
	Thailand
	Vietnam

*Except areas of the country specifically referred to in Category 1.

You may have noticed that hand gel dispensers have been installed at the entrances to buildings across the University.

They are there to help us all reduce the spread of germs and bacteria

PLEASE USE THEM when entering a building.

Note: the guidance is to self-isolate and NOT attend a GP surgery or other public place.

Please continue to follow basic hygiene measures

As a University we are continuing to monitor the spread of the Covid(19)

You may have noticed in the news that parts of Italy have been ‘locked down’ to try to prevent the spread of Covid(19).

At present the FCO guidance is:

There is an ongoing outbreak of coronavirus in China and elsewhere, including Italy. The government of Italy has introduced extraordinary measures that allow regions to implement civil protection measures in response to Coronavirus. This includes the isolation of 10 small towns in Lombardy and one in Veneto. The regions of Lombardy, Veneto, Friuli Venezia Giulia, Piemonte and Emilia Romagna have implemented measures including the suspension of public or private events, the suspension of schools and higher education and the suspension on the opening of museums and cultural institutions for seven days. If you are already in the regions affected you should follow the instructions of local authorities.

The advice from the University remains ANY and ALL travel to:

China
Thailand
Japan
Republic of Korea
Hong Kong
Taiwan
Singapore
Malaysia
Macau

on University business must be pre-authorised by the Registrar until further notice.

Any member of staff who is due to travel to a country which has confirmed cases of the novel coronavirus, should discuss this with their authorising line manager prior to confirming any travel arrangements
The WHO are continuing to update the list of countries with confirmed cases which can be found here
Any individual considering travelling should always consult the latest FCO travel guidance prior to confirming arrangements.
- Remember that if you go to an area that FCO advises against travelling to, it is likely that your travel insurance will be invalid.

Note: the guidance is to self-isolate and NOT attend a GP surgery or other public place.

Please continue to follow basic hygiene measures

As a University we are continuing to monitor the spread of the Covid(19)

The advice from the University remains ANY and ALL travel to:

China
Thailand
Japan
Republic of Korea
Hong Kong
Taiwan
Singapore
Malaysia
Macau

on University business must be pre-authorised by the Registrar until further notice.

Any member of staff who is due to travel to a country which has confirmed cases of the novel coronavirus, should discuss this with their authorising line manager prior to confirming any travel arrangements
The WHO are continuing to update the list of countries with confirmed cases which can be found here
Any individual considering travelling should always consult the latest FCO travel guidance prior to confirming arrangements.
- Remember that if you go to an area that FCO advises against travelling to, it is likely that your travel insurance will be invalid.

As a University we are continuing to monitor the spread of the novel-coronavirus. The advice from the University HAS CHANGED:

The advice from the University remains ANY and ALL travel to:

China
Thailand
Japan
Republic of Korea
Hong Kong
Taiwan
Singapore
Malaysia
Macau

on University business must be pre-authorised by the Registrar until further notice.

Any member of staff who is due to travel to a country which has confirmed cases of the novel coronavirus, should discuss this with their authorising line manager prior to confirming any travel arrangements
The WHO are continuing to update the list of countries with confirmed cases which can be found here
Any individual considering travelling should always consult the latest FCO travel guidance prior to confirming arrangements.

Remember that if you go to an area that FCO advises against travelling to, it is likely that your travel insurance will be invalid.

Guidance for basic hygiene remains the same for seasonal colds and flu – please ensure that you do not spread these more common conditions, by following simple guidance and ensuring that you wash your hands

Updated FCO/WHO/PHE information (7^th Feb 2020)

Based on the World Health Organization’s declaration that this is a public health emergency of international concern, the UK Chief Medical Officers have raised the risk to the public from low to moderate. This permits the government to plan for all eventualities. The risk to individuals remains low.

Based on the scientific advice of SAGE the UK Chief Medical Officers are advising anyone who has travelled to the UK from mainland China, Thailand, Japan, Republic of Korea, Hong Kong, Taiwan, Singapore, Malaysia or Macau in the last 14 days and is experiencing cough or fever or shortness of breath, to stay indoors and call NHS 111, even if symptoms are mild.

These areas have been identified because of the volume of air travel from affected areas, understanding of other travel routes and number of reported cases. This list will be kept under review. Our advice for travellers from Wuhan and Hubei Province remains unchanged from the below.

As of 7 February, a total of 620 UK tests have concluded, of which 617 were confirmed negative and 3 positive.

The Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) advise against all travel to Hubei Province due to the ongoing novel coronavirus outbreak. The FCO advise against all but essential travel to the rest of mainland China (not including Hong Kong and Macao). The British Consulates-General in Wuhan and Chongqing are currently closed. If you’re in China and able to leave, you should do so. The elderly and those with pre-existing medical conditions may be at heightened risk.

The Chinese government continues to impose further restrictions on movement within China in response to the coronavirus outbreak. These restrictions include the closure of some provincial highways and inter-city high speed rail, tight control on entry and exit to villages and townships across the country, and restrictions on movement within some provinces, cities and municipalities including Chongqing, Zhejiang and Anhui. Some airlines, including British Airways and Virgin Atlantic, have announced a suspension of flights to and from mainland China. Other commercial airlines are still operating, but it may become harder to access departure options over the coming weeks.

Since 31 January, the UK Government has been withdrawing some staff and dependants from the British Embassy and Consulates. Essential staff needed to continue critical work – including consular assistance – will remain. British Consulates-General in Shanghai and Guangzhou will – for the immediate future – continue to provide essential travel documentary services to British nationals wishing to leave China (but no other consular assistance). The ability of the British Embassy and Consulates to provide face-to-face assistance to British nationals from within China is currently limited, and would be even more limited in the event that the situation deteriorates further. British nationals in China who need consular support should call +86 (0)10 8529 6600 or the FCO in London on +44 (0) 207 008 1500.

Get the latest information from the World Health Organisation about coronavirus with the videos below.

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Watch Video: Click Here

As a University we are continuing to monitor the spread of the novel-coronavirus.

The advice from the University remains the same:

ANY and ALL travel to China (including Hong Kong & Macao) on University business must be pre-authorised by the Registrar until further notice.
Any member of staff who is due to travel to a country which has confirmed cases of the novel coronavirus, should discuss this with their authorising line manager prior to confirming any travel arrangements
Any individual considering travelling should always consult the latest FCO travel guidance (https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice) prior to confirming arrangements.
- Remember that if you go to an area that FCO advises against travelling to, it is likely that your travel insurance will be invalid.

Guidance for basic hygiene remains the same for seasonal colds and flu – please ensure that you do not spread these more common conditions by following the simple guidance below.

Updated FCO/WHO/PHE information (4th Feb 2020)

The risk to individuals in the UK has not changed at this stage. Our advice for travellers from Wuhan and Hubei Province remains unchanged from the below and we have added further advice for travellers from elsewhere in China.

As of 4 February, a total of 416 UK tests have concluded, of which 414 were confirmed negative and 2 positive.

1,466 passengers and 95 staff arrived in the UK on direct flights from Wuhan between 10 and 24 January.

162 of the passengers have already left the UK
53 of the crew have already left the UK
1107 are now outside of the incubation period.

The Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) advise against all travel to Hubei Province due to the ongoing novel coronavirus outbreak. The FCO advise against all but essential travel to the rest of mainland China (not including Hong Kong and Macao). The British Consulates-General in Wuhan and Chongqing are currently closed. If you’re in China and able to leave, you should do so. The elderly and those with pre-existing medical conditions may be at heightened risk.

The Chinese government continues to impose further restrictions on movement within China in response to the coronavirus outbreak. These restrictions include the closure of some provincial highways and inter-city high speed rail, tight control on entry and exit to villages and townships across the country, and restrictions on movement within some cities and municipalities including Chongqing. Some airlines, including British Airways and Virgin Atlantic, have announced a suspension of flights to and from mainland China. Other commercial airlines are still operating, but it may become harder to access departure options over the coming weeks.

Coronavirus Advice

The Government has today confirmed that UK nationals will be evacuated to the UK from Wuhan, China. Upon arrival to the UK these nationals will be quarantined for 14 days and tested for Coronavirus. More information on these arrangements are yet to be announced, but FCO advice says that those that have registered a desire to leave will be contacted once arrangements are confirmed.

As of 28 January, a total of 97 UK tests have concluded, of which 97 were confirmed negative and 0 positive. The Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) travel advise is summarised on the map below. Anyone travelling to China should check the latest travel advice on GOV.UK. The UK government have updated our guidance for individuals who have returned from Wuhan, China as follows:

If you have returned from Wuhan in the last 14 days:

Stay indoors and avoid contact with other people as you would with other flu viruses
Call NHS 111 to inform them of your recent travel to the city

Yvonne Doyle, Medical Director at PHE, said:

“Isolating yourself from other people, like you would with other flu viruses, is in step with the best scientific and expert advice on how to stop the coronavirus from spreading. This means taking simple, common sense steps, such as staying at home and avoiding close contact with other people as much as possible. If you have visited Wuhan and develop a fever, difficulty breathing or a cough within 14 days, you should seek medical attention either in China or on your return to the UK. In the UK, please stay indoors and avoid contact with others where possible, call your GP or ring 111 informing them of your symptoms and your recent travel to the city.”