To all staff,
As the government begins to lift some COVID-19 restrictions today, we want to ensure you are all aware of how Homerton College’s restrictions differ, and how we are protecting our community from the continued risks of COVID-19. Please take two minutes to read and digest all the information.
It’s important to stress that COVID hasn’t gone away. Cambridge currently has the highest infection rate in the UK and as such, it is vital that we continue to protect ourselves and our community as best we can to limit the spread of the virus. With that in mind, at Homerton, guidance will remain the same as it has been so far this term. We will however keep the situation under constant review.
A reminder of COVID-19 guidance in College
- Homerton requires the continued wearing of masks in all communal areas unless you have an exemption or are eating/drinking.
- The hybrid approach to working in College will continue in the short term and will be reviewed again at the end of term.
- If you are coming into College, please do regular testing – at least twice weekly.
Testing
The Government have made changes to the online availability of LFT this week. Please note you are now only able to order one pack every 3 days. If any staff members are struggling to obtain LFT please contact your Line Manager in the first instance and we will do all we can to help.
Please also note that the University testing pods are available to College staff should you need a PCR test. You can find more detail, including location and how to book, here.
Isolation rules
Although domestic legal restrictions end today, public health advice still states that if you display any of the main symptoms of COVID-19 or receive a positive test result you should stay at home.
Homerton College will maintain the following isolation rules:
- Anyone who receives a positive result from any test must self-isolate and report this to their Line Manager, HR and to the Hom-Isolation-Team email address. These rules apply to all, regardless of your vaccination status. You can stop self-isolating after 5 full days instead of 10 days, providing you have 2 negative LFT results on days 5 and 6. Again, please report these test results to the isolation team.
- If you are asymptomatic, you are not required to take a PCR test following a positive LFT (lateral flow test). Anyone who has symptoms will still need to take a PCR test and is required to self-isolate immediately and stay in-situ until the test result is received. Please confirm all test results to your Line Manager, HR and the Hom-Isolation-Team email address.
- If you develop any cold or flu symptoms, the College expects you to self-isolate straight away and arrange a PCR test as soon as possible. It is vital that you do this to eliminate COVID-19 as an option, and do not simply assume your symptoms are that of a cold/flu.
- If a member of your household tests positive, we ask that you work from home if possible. If you do need to come into College, please take daily lateral flow tests.
Formal dinners and events
Please remember that mask-wearing remains mandatory in all communal spaces unless you have an exemption or are eating/drinking. You will still need evidence of a negative LFT result for entry to all formal dinners and/or communal events.
Please make sure you get your booster
Finally, high levels of vaccination amongst staff and students have been critical in limiting the impact of the ‘Delta variant’ at the University last term. It is increasingly clear that, whilst two doses of vaccine offer only limited protection against infection with the Omicron variant, this is markedly enhanced by a booster dose. If you have not done so already, we therefore strongly recommend that you register to receive your booster as soon as possible.
If you have not yet received a vaccination, we would strongly encourage you to do so. You can book your COVID-19 vaccination appointments on the NHS website. Walk-in clinics are also available for vaccinations without a booking. Information on walk-in clinics in Cambridgeshire and Peterborough is available online.
Thank you for taking these measures to keep everyone in our community as safe as possible.
With best wishes
The Covid Health and Safety Group