Face masks must be worn by staff and students. Read about the Covid-19 health and safety measures
The best control to combat Covid-19 is to practice good hygiene, such as handwashing, and maintain social distancing. However, it is not always possible to keep distant from others as we move around campus or unavoidably find ourselves in a more enclosed area.
Face masks must therefore be worn by staff and students:
- When moving around campus, particularly within buildings. Outside areas where people are spread out are less of an issue, but masks and coverings are still a sensible precaution when moving around outside.
- When in enclosed areas, such as shops, food outlets and reception areas in teaching spaces, labs and offices where social distancing is difficult.
It is important that face masks are put on and removed correctly. There is plenty of advice online on how to do this, such as this from the World Health Organisation In short:
- Wash your hands thoroughly before putting the mask on, or use an alcohol-based sanitiser
- Cover your mouth and nose with the mask and make sure it is securely fastened
- Do not touch the mask while you are wearing it – if you do, wash your hands or sanitise them
- When taking the mask off, do not touch the front – take it off by the fastening loops and wash your hands.
There will be some people who cannot wear a mask for very good reason, whether somebody has a reasonable excuse not to wear a face covering will not always be obvious. Please be mindful and respectful of such circumstances.
Face masks or coverings are not the main protection against Covid-19 – good hygiene and maintaining a distance are the best protections. To help with this, we continue to supply sanitiser, conduct enhanced cleaning on campus, restrict the number of people on campus to make distancing easier and maintain 2m distances in teaching areas. There will be a ready supply of face coverings on both campuses for staff or students who do not have one or have forgotten it.
For all queries around Covid-19 and your health and safety, take a look at the FAQs here and watch the health and safety covid video for students here.