Covid-19 Briefing
Brasenose College, 2nd June 2020
(updated section 2 & 6)
Covid-19 (coronavirus) is an infectious disease. It is having both a health and a social and economic impact in a growing number of countries including the UK. The Collegiate University is drawing up plans to maintain safety and minimise infection. The challenge is new and the situation an evolving one. While the College will do its best to respond, it needs everyone’s cooperation and understanding to achieve this.
The purpose of this note is to summarise the College’s current thinking in relation to academic matters which is informed by information received from the University and other consultation, including with students and staff. We will add to it as matters change.
Fuller information is available on:
- the University website at http://www.ox.ac.uk/news-and-events/coronavirus-advice
- the government website at https://www.gov.uk/government/topical-events/coronavirus-covid-19-uk-government-response
FAQs - Please click here for a list of FAQs received by the Domestic Bursar up to 19th March 2020
Trinity Term Academic FAQs - Please click here for information relating to Trinity Term (FAQs)
Wellbeing Advice (Students) - Please click here for information relating to Coronavirus and your wellbeing
Wellbeing Advice (Staff) - Please click here for information relating to Coronavirus and your wellbeing
Social Distancing - Please click here for information relating to Social Distancing
TT20 Student Exam FAQs - Please click here for information
TT20 Exams - Please click here for information relating open book exams
Departmental Contacts - Please click here for a list of departmental contacts for College
1. Self-care: there are posters up across College reminding everyone of how to minimise the risk of infection and we will be issuing regular reminders about hand washing and other basic precautions.
2. Concerned that you may have coronavirus?
If you have a high temperature, a new continuous cough or a lose your sense of smell or taste and live alone you should self-isolate for 7 days.
If you have a high temperature, a new continuous cough or lose your sense of smell or taste and live in a shared household then the whole household should self-isolate for 14 days.
You are no longer required to ring 111 and advised to avoid visiting a GP surgery, hospital or pharmacy.
To reduce the spread of the virus the government announced revised controls:
- Everyone should practice social distancing rules (2m distance)
- People should work from home where they can
- Limit contact with other people
- Wash hand regularly
- Self-isolate if you or anyone in your household has symptoms
- Stay in your home as much as you can
If you are self-isolating please contact the Domestic Bursar immediately [email protected]
3. Self-isolation:
a. Students: if students need to self-isolate, our existing protocols for self-isolation written by the College Nurse have been revised in the light of these new challenges. For Trinity Term, we are setting up remote learning options where this is possible to minimise impacts for academics and students. Our top priority is protecting health and well-being. We may need to move students between staircases or buildings to make self-isolation as effective and comfortable as possible.
b. Staff: if staff need to self isolate, they will be expected to do so at home. If they are well, they should work at home as far as is possible. Academic staff should discuss their situation with the Senior Tutor. Non-academic staff should discuss their situation in the first instance with their manager, who will refer all cases or concerns to the Domestic Bursar.
4. In cases where covid-19 is detected
a. Should a student be infected with covid-19, they will be taken into NHS care or, if this is not possible, placed in a safe location identified by the University.
b. If staff members are infected with covid-19, they will be on sick leave. They will receive full pay.
5. Travel
a.The University’s advice is not to make any but essential travel in the UK or abroad. The FCO advice can be found at https://www.gov.uk/guidance/travel-advice-novel-coronavirus
6. As far as possible, normal conditions are being maintained on the College’s sites.
Provision is being made by the Domestic Bursar for students who are unable to return home overseas.
a. Tenancy agreements that extend past the 20th June 2020 will be reviewed taking account of any changes in government advice during Trinity Term.
7. The College has put in place the following measures:
a. Facilities to increase the number of staff resident on College sites to coordinate responses during closure and restrictions on movement.
b. Members of College departments have the capacity for remote login and communication loops have been created to preserve vital operational capacity in a worst-case scenario.
8. The College has created a core group of people to lead any response to Coronavirus should Oxford be badly affected.
This group comprises the following individuals:
Principal (Lead), Bursar, Senior Tutor, Domestic Bursar, Nurse, Dean, Chaplain, Tutor for Graduates, Accommodation Manager, IT Director, College Accountant and Development office representative.
These leads will receive up to date advice and instructions from the University and apply them in the College context. They will consult with students and staff to make this work. The Principal will keep everyone informed by issuing regular bulletins.
9. Queries or concerns?
c. If academics have queries or concerns, please raise them the Senior Tutor or Bursar
d. If other staff have queries or concerns, please raise them with your line manager in the first instance, who will discuss matters relating to Covid-19 with the Bursar or Domestic Bursar.
10. Financial issues