Covid-19 - Working Together

Covid-19 risk mitigation and management measures have been put in place with due regard to updated guidance and requirements and following a further review of our institutional Covid-19 risk assessment. The support of our trades union colleagues and from all of you, has been invaluable during these challenging times.

Please click on one of the quick links to go direct to further information:

Cooperation
Even as the 2021/22 academic year commences, the University will still look and operate slightly different to the pre-Covid times. However, as a guiding principle, the University urges cooperation, consideration, collegiality, and respect for each other, particularly as we all get used to the changes and the continuing challenges of Covid-19.

Communication and Further Information
A range of information and advice, which is regularly updated is available on the University Website.

Social Distancing & Room Capacities
Teaching, research, study, and workspaces on campus will be set-up and will operate in a way that will help keep users safe. Controls will include social distancing arrangements, reduced occupancy & room capacities, some prearranged room layouts, increased ventilation/air purification and cleaning, and managing the flow of people.

  • Contact Groups: A key feature of the University’s risk management approach for the start of the 2021/22 academic year is the use of single or multiple small Student Contact Groups, where those within the Contact Group do not need to sit 2 metres from their friends. Operating with small Contact Groups will reduce the risk of larger-scale transmissions. It will also reduce the numbers of students who will be contacted by Test, Trace & Protect and subsequently advised to self-isolate (if unvaccinated) or to obtain PCR Covid Tests, if considered to have been in close contact with a Covid-19 positive person
  • Offices: Staff Offices will continue to be single use, unless a specific assessment is made of the space, ventilation, and of the ability to socially distance from colleagues. Line Managers will discuss means to utilise shared office spaces, for example a room-use rota.
  • Lecture Spaces: A core principle of how rooms will be set-up will be seeking to ensure Lecturers can remain at least 2 metres from others. Operating this social distance arrangement alongside student Contact Groups (and ventilation assessments) will inevitably result in reduced room capacities.
    Smaller tutorial and lecture rooms will operate on a ‘single’ student contact group of no more than 30 students. Larger lecture rooms will be set up with ‘multiples’ of small student Contact Groups with 2 metres distance between each group. For example, in large lecture theatres, with fixed seating, every other row of seats will be ‘taken-out’ and a contact group may be the ‘occupied’ row of seats. In other rooms, chairs may be set-out in small clusters, with a unique numerical identifier assigned for entry onto the Check-in App.
    The Check-in App will be used for all taught sessions and tutorials.
  • Laboratories: Teaching Laboratories are being set up on a case-by-case basis. Depending on the other control measures in place and rates of occupation and the size of student Contact Groups will vary to reflect lab design and controls.
  • Communal Areas: Staff and students should make every effort to socially distance in shared spaces (e.g., corridors, lifts, toilets, social learning spaces) and follow any specific guidance if directed. Social distancing of at least 2 metres should still be employed and face coverings worn.
  • Research Areas: those laboratory and similar research spaces will be risk assessed by the relevant College to identify Covid-19 operating controls and use capacities. Contact Groups will not be employed for members of staff and social distancing must remain for the time being.

Note: as the rates and prevalence of Covid-19 decreases and its impact lessens, the occupancy levels of lecture & seminar rooms and size of contact-groups, may increase.

Face coverings
For the safety of everyone, staff, students and our communities, and particularly for the safety of those with health vulnerabilities, face coverings must be worn within all University buildings, unless exempt or as directed by the activity risk assessment.

Face coverings may of course be removed when eating and drinking, whilst within single occupancy offices and vehicles or when giving a lecture.

Please be mindful that some people are exempt from wearing a face covering. We encourage people who are exempt to carry an exemption card or badge instead.

Wearing a face covering helps protect not only ourselves but also helps safeguard others who may be at a greater risk from this virus. The University’s policy on face coverings will be continuously under review and may change during the year.

Ventilation
Campus Services has assessed many hundreds of separate mechanical ventilation units & systems across the estate to evaluate their suitability, with adjustments made, where necessary, to increase airflows. The University is seeking to follow the design and operational principles set out in the national standard produced by the CIBSE.

Please take a moment to watch this video on ventilation and Covid-19:

Where mechanical ventilation systems have not been installed and other ventilation arrangements are not sufficient, additional portable high efficiency air filter units (HEPA units) will also be used, particularly within many smaller seminar and lecture spaces that have no mechanical ventilation.

These HEPA units will be located so that air is drawn away from the lecturer and should operate in addition to opening some windows, and not as an alternative to opening windows. Some larger units will seem a little noisy, with a background ‘hum’ evident, but please do not switch them off.

If you identify a HEPA unit or a ventilation system that is not working properly please report it to the Campus Services Helpdesk immediately.

Please note, air-conditioning units will remain isolated unless they are designed to operate with an adequate supply of fresh air, or their use has been approved following a local assessment.

Cleaning
Enhanced cleaning regimes will remain in place with additional emphasis on key communal area touchpoints. Suitable cleaning materials are provided at all lectern points and made available generally for office space self-cleaning. Wipes are provided by all photocopiers, etc.

If you have any concerns about the level of cleaning please contact the Campus Services Helpdesk.

Hand Hygiene
We all have a responsibility to continue to maintain good personal levels of hand hygiene, particularly by regularly sanitising and/or washing our hands.

Hand sanitiser points are available throughout all buildings and should be used on entry/exit to the building and regularly during the day. Suitable anti-bacterial/viral soap is provided in all welfare areas, as well as paper towels to dry hands.

University Check-In App
As we will be aware by now, the University’s Attendance Monitoring App was adapted last year so it could be used to record attendance at all teaching, learning activities. It was also used for other student events, such as Students’ Union Clubs and Societies activities and for recording other student contacts and meetings. The Check-in App remains core to our Covid-19 mitigation arrangements, with information shared with Test, Trace and Protect where appropriate.

The Check-in App has been further modified this year to enable students to enter details of their individual/separate Contact Groups at their lectures/seminars. These are the multiple small Contact Groups referenced above.

Covid-19 Testing
All members of the University community are encouraged to take regular lateral flow device (LFD) Covid-19 tests. Home Test Kits are available at hubs across the University, details are available on the Staff Covid-19 FAQ page and Student Covid-19 FAQ page, or you can order by post via this link. You can also find out where you can get hold of LFD kits closer to home through this NHS Wales link and you will be aware that kits are now often available from your local Pharmacy.

In some cases, dependent on the activity (e.g., close contact work) proof of a Covid-19 negative LFD test will be required.

All staff and students coming onto to campus in September and October are asked to take twice-weekly LFD tests for 28 days, and to test themselves before first arrival. This precaution is recommended as we anticipate an early increase in Covid-19 cases at the start of term and self-testing can significantly reduce cases and subsequently reduce the potential of onward transmission. Please support the efforts to manage Covid-19 and test yourself regularly.

Details of how to obtain a PCR Test for coronavirus are available on the Staff Covid-19 FAQ page and Student Covid-19 FAQ page.

Covid-19 Positive Case
Anyone testing positive for Covid-19, whether at home or on campus, must let the University know through the COVID report line so support can be provided. This also helps the University support the NHS Test, Trace and Protect service as needed.

If you’ve tested positive for Covid-19 (and have uploaded your result if using an LFD), the NHS Wales Test, Trace, Protect service will contact you. Further information on what you can expect is available here.

Further information is available on the Staff Covid-19 FAQ page and Student Covid-19 FAQ page.

Close-Contact to a Covid-19 Positive Case
If you are identified as a close contact you will be contacted by the regional Test, Trace and Protect team. Please follow their instructions and isolate where asked and/or take both PCR Covid Tests as directed.

Further information is available on the Staff Covid-19 FAQ page and Student Covid-19 FAQ page.

Covid-19 Vaccine and Vaccine Status
We encourage all staff and students to take up the vaccination against Covid-19 to help protect our University and our communities. This includes international students and staff. Please note that the Covid-19 vaccination is free, regardless of nationality or immigration status.

For the Bangor campus we are also supporting the local NHS Trust and will host an on-campus ‘pop-up’ vaccination clinic for students who haven't had the chance to receive a first or second jab before arriving. We hope to share details soon.

It is noted that NHS Vaccination Centres are located close to both our Bangor and Wrexham campuses and a Covid-19 Vaccination may be booked on-line here.

Support
Ongoing support is available for staff and students. Staff with concerns should contact their Line Manager/ HR, or the University’s Occupational Health Practitioner or contact Care First, the free counselling service direct. Information on mental health support is available for staff on the mental health and wellbeing pages. Students can receive support via their own School or College or can contact Student Services.

Monitoring, review and further guidance
The University’s Health, Safety & Emergency Management Task Group and the University Executive will continue to monitor the situation and seek to ensure the campus is kept as safe as possible. The Institutional Operating Under Covid-19 Risk Assessment and other associated assessments, will be reviewed regularly.

The University’s Outbreak Control plan and arrangements, which come into force during a large-scale outbreak on campus, will operate through the Task Group and Executive.

Relevant Services will undertake regular checks to ensure the campus is kept as safe as possible.

There are numerous University health and safety guidance documents to support research, teaching and office-based activities, as well as guidance for staff and Heads of School/Service. These can be found here and are updated regularly.

University Risk Assessments for Covid-19
A University Risk Assessment covering the control measures relating to the risk of Covid-19 can be found here. In addition, local risk assessments will set out any extra requirements based on area-specific needs.

The University’s main Covid-19 Risk Assessment is now due to be reviewed to reflect changes in how we will operate and function into the new academic year.

Concerns
Staff with any questions or concerns should contact their Line Manager, HR or Health and Safety. Students can contact their School, College, Student Services, or the Students’ Union.