You will have heard that nationally there has been an increase in numbers of Covid-19 cases. While infection rates at Sussex continue to remain low, teams across the University have already reviewed a revised outbreak management plan and contingency plans, which have been agreed with the local Director for Public Health and submitted to the DfE. Work is also underway to ascertain how we balance the temperature of campus spaces with ventilation,  as we approach the colder months.

A reminder you can view the Covid-19 reporting dashboard to keep up-to-date with cases, which is updated daily after 3.00 pm.

You can read more about Government’s plans for autumn and winter, including what steps may be introduced as part of ‘Plan B’ if further measures become necessary.

In the meantime, so that we can continue to keep infections level rates low within our campus community please remember to:

• Come to campus prepared, with warm clothing so we can continue to provide adequate ventilation.

• Get twice-weekly Covid-19 tests using the home testing kits that are easily ordered from the www.gov.uk website. Staff and students can collect home testing kits from several campus locations or if you run out you can email healthsafety@sussex.ac.uk.

• Wear face coverings - We do expect all students and staff to wear face coverings, unless exempt, on public transport and in crowded and enclosed spaces on campus - including in all teaching spaces - and to follow the instructions indicated by signage. This signage will be very visible across the campus. Even if you feel comfortable not wearing a mask, please set an example and protect others, particularly those who are vulnerable.

• Wash your hands or use hand sanitiser - Hand sanitiser gels are available in every building for both staff and students to use. This measure has been retained on the grounds of good practice with regards to Covid and other disease control.

• Have your Covid jabs, including the booster jab once you are eligible - the NHS website has information about when you should expect to get your third jab.

• Use the University’s own track and trace system by filling out the Covid-19 reporting form if you need to self-isolate due to: testing positive for Covid-19; having Covid-19 symptoms; being identified as a close contact of someone who has tested positive for Covid-19, if you are not fully vaccinated; or if you’ve arrived in the UK from overseas

• Get the flu vaccination, in order to reduce the risks for our whole community associated with the impact of seasonal flu on top of Covid-19 infection rates. The flu jab is free for those over 50  and those with certain health conditions, either from your GP or from a participating pharmacy. University staff who are under 50 who are not eligible, can book and pay for a vaccination from a pharmacy or another provider and can reclaim the cost of a flu jab through expenses. Please ensure you use the expenses app to load claims linked to flu vaccinations, as no other forms of claims will be accepted. Please use expense code EM025-01 when making your claim.

• Share you vaccination status - It’s helpful for us to know your vaccination status for our business continuity plans so please use the MyView portal to share the information anonymously. It is your choice whether you supply this information to the University, and you can update or remove this data at any time. We know that 87% of the 11,000 students who completed our vaccination status survey said that they are fully vaccinated - with only one per cent saying they had no intention of receiving the jab.  

• Sign the community pledge now – We are asking staff and students to sign the pledge to show their commitment to protecting our community which has been updated in response to the relaxation of Covid rules and the roll out of the UK vaccination programme. 

Finally, if you are concerned either about an office area or a teaching space please notify your line manager. Information for staff will continue to be updated on our Returning to campus webpages.