Keeping safe on campus

We’ve completed full risk assessments of our campuses and we’re implementing control measures to reduce the risk of transmission and protect our community. We continue to follow the latest Government and scientific advice; the best available scientific evidence is that, when used correctly, wearing a face covering may reduce the spread of COVID-19 (coronavirus) droplets, helping to protect others. 

We all want to help stop the spread of COVID-19 (coronavirus) and wearing face coverings is one method, which we’re implementing on our campuses. Face coverings are not a replacement for social distancing and regular handwashing; these remain highly important to stop the spread of COVID-19 (coronavirus) and must continue in addition to wearing face coverings.

There are exemptions for wearing face coverings and we understand for some, wearing a face mask even for a short period of time can be difficult. 

If you feel you should be exempt from wearing a face covering students must contact include@essex.ac.uk providing a brief outline of the reasons for your exemption. Staff should contact ohquery@essex.ac.uk. We will then contact you to discuss further and where appropriate issue you with a lanyard and card to ensure you are quickly recognised and not challenged inside University buildings.

Face masks/face coverings must be worn in all indoor University premises and in all areas where social distancing may be difficult to maintain.

Face coverings must be worn in the following University areas:

• all internal corridor, lobby/access areas
• all teaching spaces, labs, IT rooms, private study spaces and common rooms.  (The lecturer may wear a face visor in place of a face covering, but students must wear face coverings).
• all kitchens and WC facilities.
• lifts when these are available for general use and limited to one occupant.
• all internal catering facilities.
• Library general areas.
• shower/changing/locker rooms.
• where staff or students feel social distancing is likely to be reduced below the prescribed distance.
• any circumstance where staff or students through personal choice wish to wear a face covering.
• when directed to do so by specific departmental risk assessments which may include use of specific Personal Protective Equipment (facemasks/gloves/aprons) relating to particular activities.

All students and staff on our campuses will be issued with two washable face coverings in the Autumn Term.

If you are a new student, you will receive your face covering either when you collect your keys for your campus accommodation, when you arrive to complete your right to study ID check, or when you attend one of our COVID-19 Test Centres. If you are a returning student, you will be able to collect your face coverings when you attend one of our COVID-19 Test Centres Information about our Test Centres will be emailed directly to you.

Please remember face masks or coverings will only be effective if they are worn properly, covering the nose and mouth and fitted snugly, and kept clean. Make sure you change your face covering daily and wash your hands when putting it on or taking it off your face.

The University-provided face coverings have a metal insert stitched in them, this should be positioned so it is at the top over your nose. Pinch the metal insert against the bridge of your nose which will not only help keep it in place and not slip down, but also ensure you have a better fit. When not in use please store the face covering in a sealed bag. It should be washed regularly.

If you chose to wear a disposable paper mask with one blue side and one white side, the blue side should be on the outside. Once you have used the paper mask, please dispose of it in a bin.

We’ve thought carefully about the layout in your lecture rooms. Seating layouts are clearly displayed for you and we rearrange furniture if necessary. You need to remember to maintain social distancing if you are waiting to go into a lecture.

Follow signs and guidance in study spaces. You can really help by not sharing workstations and equipment when you are in study spaces.

In IT labs you can use the machines marked with a green dot. Please wipe the keyboard, mouse and table before you use them and afterwards.

Find out how to book a study space on campus.

If you are in enclosed spaces like shops, food outlets or banks, please follow the signs, check your distance and don’t forget your face covering.

The number of people allowed into different outlets might be limited to ensure social distancing. It might also take longer to serve you and you might need to queue longer than normal.

Please also pay by contactless card if you can, although you can still use cash.

England is currently following a local restriction tier system. Essex is in Tier 4 (Stay at home). This will be reviewed by the UK Government on 30 December 2020.

It is important you are familiar with what you can and cannot do in each tier. To find out what restrictions are in place in your local area, visit the UK Government website.

Remember that social distancing applies in toilets too. Give people space. If no cubicles are vacant just pop back outside until someone leaves then go back in.

Together we need to be aware of what has changed and how we can all help protect those who may be at greater risk. Respect and courtesy for each other remains at the heart of our University community.

The full cooperation of all students with health and safety procedures is essential to maintain the highest standards and helping the University to create a safe environment for all of us.

Stay alert, be informed and up to date.

You are advised to carefully read the latest information and guidance on the student COVID-19 web pages or staff COVID-19 web pages, as well as paying attention to signage and information on campus. This is important to understand the guidance and advice on personal measures that each of us should be taking.

• Following your sign up to the COVID-19 social agreement through the online registration process, complying with the risk assessments and measures put in place.
• Complete the COVID-19 essential 'Keeping safe on campus' training course, reading the related COVID-19 guidance within it.
• Adhere to the Code of Student Conduct, which include regulations A9 (behaviour that is likely to cause injury or impair safety) and A11 (Behaving in a manner, which obstructs, frustrates or disrupts).
• Allow yourself more time when moving around campus.
• Be patient when accessing facilities and services.
• Avoid sharing food and drinks.
• You can still use cash in our eateries and shops, but please use contactless card payments if possible. That way we can keep to a minimum the number of times anyone has to touch cash.
• Maintain good hand hygiene including regular hand washing and/or use of hand sanitiser.
• Cooperate with and follow any risk assessments in place for your health and safety.
• Follow guidance and signage in place around the campus.
• Wear face coverings.
• Report all accidents and incidentsReport all accidents and incidentsReport all accidents and incidents and seek help if you have any concerns.
• Concerns and feedback can be sent to covid19@essex.ac.uk.

Enhanced cleaning is undertaken in some communal areas including more regular cleaning and disinfection of high touch points.

Where a member of staff or student has been identified as being COVID-19 positive, and the work/study area cannot be left fallow for 72 hours, deep cleaning protocols will be implemented.

Of course our cleaning teams will also continue to provide essential cleaning in both academic areas and student accommodation.

Our Student Wellbeing and Inclusivity Service is always there for you to offer you guidance and support. If for any reason stricter social distancing measures are reintroduced we’ll adapt our services so we can continue to offer you the support you need.

Services on campus

• Accommodation procedures and support
• Study spaces on campus
• Post room opening timesPost room opening timesPost room opening times
• Wivenhoe Park Nursery and childcareWivenhoe Park Nursery and childcareWivenhoe Park Nursery and childcare

Reference guidance for our community

• COVID-19 Policy statement (.pdf)
• University of Essex premises policy (.pdf)
• Adapting our behaviours (.pdf)
• Essential information (.pdf)
• Equality Impact Assessment for phased return to campus (.pdf)
• University of Essex Business Continuity Plan (.pdf)
• Strategic Risk Assessment (.pdf)
• Covid alert procedure (.pdf) - what to do if someone develops symptoms while on campus
• Fire evacuation and COVID-19 procedure (.docx)

Advice and guidance from governmental, professional and advisory bodies will continually be reviewed, to ensure we take account of such advice and guidance when putting measures in place to minimise risks from COVID-19. Such bodies would include, but are not limited to, the Health & Safety Executive (HSE), Public Health England (PHE), NHS England, Higher Education Occupational Practitioners (HEOPS), Society of Occupational Medicine (SOM) and the Faculty of Occupational Medicine.

As part of the Online Student Registration process, you have been asked to agree to follow the University's health and safety regulations and guidance (including social distancing) that have been introduced due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Along with all new and returning students, you have also been asked to complete the Keeping Safe on Campus.

Furthermore, you have been asked to agree to take responsibility to regularly check your Essex IT account for emails, to access further information on Moodle and our COVID-19 web pages, and to follow the University's health and safety procedures.

There is information on how to come onto our campuses, and you will receive frequent information and guidance on the Student COVID-19 webpages, as well as updates from the Communications Team to your Essex email account.

In addition, signage describing current prevention measures will be in place on buildings and services across the campuses. The information and guidance will include advice on personal measures that we all will need to adhere to, such as social distancing, self-isolating (when symptomatic or living with others symptomatic), hand washing and use of PPE when required. We are constantly monitoring the situation and COVID-19 Policy, along with our COVID-19 Business Continuity Plan, which will be reviewed as necessary.

As part of the Online Registration process, you have been asked to agree to adhere to the Code of Student Conduct, which include regulations A9 (behaviour that is likely to cause injury or impair safety) and A11 (behaving in a manner, which obstructs, frustrates or disrupts).

Please note that these regulations will be used for contravention of expectations of behaviour regarding health and safety procedures, social distancing and compliance with the regulations and guidance that have been introduced due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

The University’s Facilities Management Services (Soft FM) will continue to provide essential cleaning in both academic areas and student accommodation. Enhanced cleaning will be undertaken in some communal areas to include more regular cleaning and disinfection of high touch points.

Where a student has been identified as being COVID-19 positive, and the work / study area cannot be left unused for 72 hours, deep cleaning protocols will be implemented.

Clear guidance will be provided on the Student Directory as to the symptoms and situations which indicate that a student should self-isolate. All self-isolations should be reported to the University, as well as the NHS (by contacting 111) to report your symptoms and arrange for a COVID-19 test. You should only return to campus when you have been symptom free for seven days.

The University’s guidance on contact tracing and self-isolation will help to ensure that, where this is known, persons who have been in contact with an infected person are contacted and given appropriate advice. Support will be given to any student having to self-isolate.