The Government updated its guidance over the weekend in response to the latest cases of the Omicron coronavirus variant. Please read what this means for our staff community at Sussex.

Face coverings
It is now a legal requirement to wear face coverings in shops and on public transport. We are reminding all staff and students of this update to the regulations.

We continue to strongly advise that all students and staff should wear face coverings, unless exempt in crowded and enclosed spaces on campus - including in all teaching spaces - and to follow the instructions indicated by signage. This signage is very visible across the campus.

We do not expect face coverings to be worn in office spaces where all staff concerned are comfortable but we do expect staff to take regular lateral flow tests (LFT) before coming on to campus and mixing with others. If in doubt please check with staff, students and visitors and wear a face covering if anyone requests it.
 
Testing and isolation
The new Government guidance requires that all contacts of suspected Omicron cases must self-isolate for 10 days, regardless of a person’s vaccination status. You will be informed by NHS track and trace if that is the case.

Anyone with Covid-19 symptoms should isolate and get a PCR test immediately.

All staff should continue to get twice-weekly Covid-19 tests using the home testing kits that can be ordered from the www.gov.uk website. Staff and students can also collect home testing kits from several campus locations.

The Mobile Testing Unit (MTU) remains on campus, providing PCR testing to those with symptoms from 10am – 4pm. This is operated by Brighton and Hove City Council.

Travel
If you are travelling from abroad, you are also now required to get a PCR test and self-isolate until you get a negative test result. Please see the Government website for further updates.

Vaccination
Vaccination is critical in helping to minimise transmission against this new variant and we strongly advise all to consider vaccinations. Walk-in vaccination sessions are taking place in the local area, including booster clinics if it’s been 182 days (six months) since your second dose. You don’t need an appointment, and you can simply turn up to receive your vaccination. See the Keep Sussex Safe pages for more information.

Reporting
A reminder to please help keep our community safe and use our Covid-19 reporting form to submit a report if you need to self-isolate due to:

• Contact with someone who has tested positive for Covid-19 - if you are not fully vaccinated with a vaccine recognised in the UK, or if you are otherwise advised to isolate by NHS Test and Trace due to close contact with a positive case.
• Having Covid-19 symptoms
• Being positive with Covid-19
• Needing to self-isolate due to travel

Ventilation
As the weather becomes colder, the University's Health and Safety team has published some winter guidance on Covid to provide managers with information on what steps can be taken to balance ventilation rates against temperature. 

Keeping you updated
We will continue to keep you up to date on measures to ensure a Covid-safe campus, on our working on campus pages.