COVID-19 Guidance

The government has now issued new guidance on living safely with Covid-19 and other respiratory infections. It has also published guidance on reducing the spread of respiratory infections in the workplace.

Staff may wish to take a few moments to familiarise themselves with these documents.

The key points to bear in mind are as follows:

  • If you have respiratory symptoms and have not tested, do not come into the workplace if you have a high temperature or do not feel well enough to work. Resume normal activities once the temperature has gone and you feel well enough to do so;
  • If you have tested and are positive, do not come into the workplace for five days. You can work from home if and when you feel well enough to do so.

The University's Safety Office has published its own guidance on managing the spread of communicable diseases, including Covid-19. This was sent to University institutions and Colleges last week. It is also a helpful resource for line managers, and covers good practice in relation to ventilation, hygiene and other ways of minimising infection.

The Covid Helpdesk, now renamed the Communicable Disease Helpdesk, will remain open to advise staff and students (and can be emailed on covid-helpdesk@admin.cam.ac.uk). However, the symptomatic testing pod on Fen Causeway will cease operation on Thursday 14 April. This service has played an invaluable role in helping to keep the University and local community safe during the pandemic, and I would like to thank all of those who have been involved in its set-up and operation. Finally, there is now no requirement to let the University know if you test positive for Covid-19.

Any further specific advice for the Department will be communicated in due course.

All UK Government rules on COVID-19 restrictions and self-isolation have been removed.

As of Friday 18 March, travellers entering the UK from abroad are no longer required to test upon arrival or complete a passenger locator form.

All department members are strongly encouraged to continue to follow UK Government guidance and stay away from the department if they test positive for COVID-19.

Details of UK Government guidance can be found here: https://www.gov.uk/government/ publications/covid-19-people-with-covid-19-and-their-contacts/covid-19-people-with- covid-19-and-their-contacts

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