These relaxations align with our plans for 2021-22 to deliver teaching face to face from September 2021 – complemented by flexible digital solutions which enhance student learning opportunities.

While face-to-face teaching will resume at the beginning of the new academic year, the NI Executive directive remains that all those who can work from home should continue to do so. Further to this, the Executive have specific guidance for those who are Clinically Extremely Vulnerable (CEV).

However, a greater number of staff have and will continue to be required to return to campus to support essential work in preparing for the beginning of the new academic year and the return of our student community. Where this is the case, your manager will discuss the changes with you, and anyone required to return will be given a minimum of two weeks’ advance notice as set out in our Phasing Back to Campus Pathway. I am also aware of some colleagues who have expressed a desire to return to campus to complete some tasks, to help support others, or for their own wellbeing. If you wish to return on a voluntary basis, I would encourage you to please speak with your manager to assess how this can be facilitated safely in line with rotas and risk assessments. Equally, there will be some staff whose work can be completed remotely and who will prefer to continue their current home working arrangements until a later phase in the Phasing Back to Campus Pathway.

As always, the safety and wellbeing of our students and staff remains our first priority and all the necessary measures are in place on campus to ensure a safe working and learning environment.

Social distancing measures in University settings reflect official guidance and, in all settings, the University continues to support and encourage mitigations such as regular on-campus asymptomatic testing, good ventilation, regular use of hand-washing/sanitising facilities, and following one-way systems and wearing face coverings indoors when applicable.

The Northern Ireland Executive also agreed the following changes:

• Self-isolation: Removal of the need to self-isolate for those who have received both vaccinations. People who are fully vaccinated will no longer need to self-isolate for 10 days if someone they have been in close contact with tests positive for Covid-19. Instead, they should get a PCR test on day two and day eight of the 10-day period. People who are not fully vaccinated will still need to self-isolate for the 10 days. This change applies to close contacts only. Anyone who has symptoms - whether vaccinated or not - should immediately book a PCR test. Anyone who has had a positive PCR test should self-isolate for 10 days.
• Conferences and exhibitions: Conference centres can reopen allowing conferences and exhibitions to resume.
• Hospitality: The limit of numbers permitted at tables will be removed.

Find out more about restrictions in place in Northern Ireland here.

For larger teaching sessions, staff are encouraged to schedule sessions to allow a longer time period at the beginning and at the end of the session to facilitate an orderly entrance and exit from the teaching space.

All lecture theatres, teaching spaces and laboratories on the campus are able to be ventilated in a number of different ways:

1. Mechanically ventilated.
2. Naturally ventilated where air changes occur through the opening of windows and doors.
3. Or a combination of mechanical and natural ventilation. 

The current University estate complies with the standards of The Workplace (Health, Safety and Welfare) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 1993. 

In line with Health and Safety Executive Northern Ireland (HSENI) guidance, a ventilation survey of teaching spaces has been undertaken, with risk assessments for these areas updated as necessary. 

In mechanically ventilated rooms, normal capacities have been measured against ventilation requirements and modified, where applicable, to maintain adequate ventilation levels.

For rooms within categories (2) and (3) above, taking on board recommendations from the HSENI, adequate ventilation can be achieved by:

• Regular opening of windows and doors throughout the working day. For example, at the beginning/end of the teaching session. 

And/or:

• Leaving, fully or partially, window(s)/door(s) open, where possible, throughout the working day.

To support the above, University heating systems will be carefully monitored and configured to help keep ambient temperatures comfortable for students and staff. When deciding what to wear on campus, we encourage you to consider that spaces will be ventilated.

Several portable air filtration units have been deployed strategically across campus in locations where they will have maximum impact. The main benefit will be reducing, but not removing, the need to naturally ventilate some rooms.

University heating systems will be carefully monitored and configured to help keep ambient temperatures comfortable for staff and students in naturally ventilated spaces during the winter months. When deciding what to wear on campus, we encourage you to consider that spaces will be ventilated.

Social distancing in teaching spaces:

In line with current NI Executive guidance, face-to-face teaching can now resume with no social distancing requirements in place for teaching spaces. Students are not required to socially distance from one another in any of the areas they normally access, including the library, social and study spaces.

However, NI Executive regulations also require that social distancing is followed in the workplace. We therefore ask all students to respect that this is a workplace for all staff who are providing their on-campus experience and to keep their distance from staff at all times - in both teaching and non-teaching settings.

Everyone should continue to keep their distance at all times and when moving around campus.

Face coverings in offices, social space and cafes and anywhere else where 1m+ distance between persons can be maintained:

Staff can remove face coverings when seated in, for example, offices, social space and cafes and anywhere else where 1m+ distance between persons can be maintained.

Social distancing in offices

The following will apply for as-long-as the current workplace restrictions remain in place for office areas:

• A minimum of 1m+ social distance should be observed in general offices and meeting rooms.
• Face coverings should be worn when moving around the office areas but can be removed whilst seated.
• In naturally ventilated areas windows and door should be kept fully/partially open, where possible, or regularly opened during the working day.
• In many office-areas signage remains in place for one-way systems and these should be followed where possible.
• Capacity restrictions on meeting rooms, toilets and kitchens should be noted and adhered to.

Everyone should continue to keep their distance at all times and when moving around campus.

In line with current NI Executive guidance, face-to-face teaching can now resume with no social distancing requirements in place for teaching spaces. Students are not required to socially distance from one another in any of the areas they normally access, including the library, social and study spaces.

However, NI Executive regulations also require that social distancing is followed in the workplace. We therefore ask all students to respect that this is a workplace for all staff who are providing their on-campus experience and to keep their distance from staff at all times - in both teaching and non-teaching settings.

PhD students using work and laboratory space on campus will be advised by their School on the social distancing requirements in their work space.

No. For now, students are free to sit on any seat regardless of signage and we will advise staff and students if this changes.

In some teaching spaces, you will notice that we have signage in place which will only be used if the Public Health Authority ask universities and colleges to implement increased social distancing. We have done this in advance to minimise disruption to your teaching should we have to make this change at short notice.

For your PhD students using work and laboratory space on campus, your School will advise them on the social distancing requirements in their work space.

If a student with a hearing impairment is registered with disability services this will be on their Individual Student Support Agreement (ISSA).

For all new students being assessed for the first time, Disability Services are putting a specific line in the ISSA to advise on the use of appropriate face coverings, where they are being used in a teaching setting.

New ISSAs are completed throughout the first semester and the Disability Services team have been working since A-Level results were confirmed to assess incoming students but the volumes of students means this takes time. They are working on it as fast as they can.

For returning students who have hearing impairments but with older ISSAs they may take longer to update as we naturally need to focus on new students – but their ISSA will confirm to you that they have a hearing impairment and therefore you can assume the same adjustments are necessary.

It is important to be mindful that face coverings can pose a challenge to individuals with Hearing Impairment who rely on lip reading and facial expression to communicate. It is recommended that staff use face visors that ensure accessibility and inclusion for individuals with hearing impairment.

All students and staff are strongly encouraged to get tested before coming on to campus for any reason and then to arrange regular testing twice a week for as long as you are on campus. 

Find out more and book a test.

Asymptomatic testing is suitable only for those who are not displaying symptoms. If you develop symptoms at any time, it is essential that you self-isolate immediately and book a test here.

It is essential that we all continue to follow the public health guidelines regardless of whether or not we have received a negative asymptomatic test. All members of the Queen’s community are expected to maintain social distance from others, wear a face covering indoors and regularly wash or sanitise their hands.

All students and staff are strongly encouraged to get tested before coming on to campus for any reason and then to arrange regular testing twice a week for as long as you are on campus. The testing is not mandatory; however, we are encouraging as many staff and students as possible to get tested as an additional mitigation measure to help reduce transmission.

No. University testing cannot be used for test to release.

Find out more and book a test. 

Staff can collect free LFD Home test Kits from the South Dining Hall.

Find out more.

You do not need to make an appointment to collect you Home Test Kits.

We strongly encourage all staff and students to take up the vaccine. The more of us who are vaccinated the more it helps reduce transmission and the health consequences if you do catch the virus.

Information on the Northern Ireland COVID-19 Vaccination Programme is available on the Public Health Agency website.

Book your appointment or find a walk-in clinic at: https://vaccinations.covid-19.hscni.net/

We strongly encourage all staff and students to take up the vaccine. The more of us who are vaccinated the more it helps reduce transmission and the health consequences if you do catch the virus.

All eligible adults (and some younger age groups) can get vaccinated. You do not have to be registered with a GP.

Information on the Northern Ireland COVID-19 Vaccination Programme is available on the Public Health Agency website. 

Book your appointment at: https://vaccinations.covid-19.hscni.net/

You can also book your vaccination via telephone on 0300 200 7813 Monday to Friday, 8:00am to 8.00pm.

Registering with a GP

We also recommend that, if you have not done so already, that you register with a GP.

For information on how to register with a GP please have visit the MyQueen’s site.

We strongly encourage all staff and students to take up the vaccine. The more of us who are vaccinated the more it helps reduce transmission and the health consequences if you do catch the virus.

If you are a resident in the United Kingdom and do not currently have an appointment for the first or second dose (8 weeks after the first) of the vaccine, you can find out how to arrange an appointment or access a walk-in vaccination centre in Northern Ireland at:

• www.nidirect.gov.uk/covidvaccine

Just bring your photographic ID and proof of address (for example, a bill or letter from the University).

We strongly encourage all staff and students to take up the vaccine. The more of us who are vaccinated the more it helps reduce transmission and the health consequences if you do catch the virus.

Find information on how to arrange an appointment or access a walk-in vaccination centre in England, Scotland or Wales:

• Scotland: www.nhsinform.scot/covid19vaccine
• England: https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/coronavirus-covid-19/coronavirus-vaccination/book-coronavirus-vaccination/
• Wales: https://gov.wales/get-your-covid-19-vaccination-if-you-think-you-have-been-missed 

We strongly encourage all staff and students to take up the vaccine; however, it is not mandatory.

However, the more of us who are vaccinated the more it helps reduce transmission and the health consequences if you do catch the virus. It is therefore important to get vaccinated as soon as possible and before you leave for Queen’s if you can.

As the PHA will carry out identification of close contacts, the University’s on-campus contact tracing team will be stood down and our reporting portal will no longer operate - except for students living in Queen’s Accommodation, who will still be required to use it to report that they are self-isolating due to COVID-19.

Staff should now follow the usual Sickness Absence Procedure for reporting and managing absences from work due to self-isolation in relation to COVID-19. You can find information on getting an isolation note on the NHS website.

If you are aware and/or are notified that you are a contact of a confirmed case of COVID-19, you should follow the appropriate guidance. This includes guidance found at NI Direct and any self-isolation advice you are given by the PHA, if required. During a period of self-isolation, you cannot come on to any part of campus.

You can find out more about contact tracing on the NI Direct website.

Your health and safety is the University's first priority, so please do not let any concerns about your work or study stop you from following any of these steps or public health advice.

Staff should follow the usual Sickness Absence Procedure for reporting and managing absences from work due to self-isolation in relation to COVID-19. You can find information on getting an isolation note on the NHS website.

During a period of self-isolation, you cannot come on to any part of campus.

Students have been advised that they should now follow the normal procedure for reporting sickness absences from study due to COVID-19.

Regulations for Students 5.11 states that students must inform the relevant School Office of absence due to illness within three working days of returning to studies. Medical evidence will be required for absence longer than five working days.

If a student is absent from campus due to self-isolation but well enough to continue with their studies, they do not need to report sickness absence but should advise their School that they are not able to attend in person. Students have been advised that Schools will do what they can to support students who are well enough to study while isolating.

You can find out more about contact tracing on the NI Direct website.

Public Health Agency contact tracing

The PHA’s contact tracing service works to minimise community transmission of COVID-19. Close contacts will be contacted by the PHA’s contact tracing service team using the following phone number: (028) 9536 8888. Please save this number to your phone and be sure to answer any call from them, should they get in touch. 

'StopCOVID NI' app

A Northern Ireland-specific contact tracing app 'StopCOVID NI' has been developed by the Department of Health. To help protect yourself and all within the Queen's community and wider public, we are encouraging all our staff and students to download this free app, which will support contact tracing, support our health service, help prevent another lockdown and save lives. 

The app works by telling you automatically if you've been near another app user who tests positive and can also let them know if you test positive, though the app never knows or shares your identity or location. 

You can download from: 

• Google Play Store 

• Apple App Store 

Text alert service

The Public Health Agency's text alert service for close contacts of positive COVID-19 cases, which means that they will be sent a message as soon as their details are added to the PHA system. If you receive a message from 'HSCtracing' you must follow the guidance provided.

During your period of self-isolation, you cannot come on to any part of campus. 

Guidance for staff and managers regarding self-isolation is available on the People and Culture website.

Staff should follow the usual Sickness Absence Procedure for reporting and managing absences from work due to self-isolation in relation to COVID-19. You can find information on getting an isolation note on the NHS website.

Advice on self-isolation can been found on the NI Direct Website. 

Advice on self-isolation can been found on the NI Direct Website. 

You should continue to follow the appropriate guidance. This includes guidance found at NI Direct and any self-isolation advice you are given by the PHA, if required.

If you are aware and/or are notified that you are a contact of a confirmed case of COVID-19, you should follow the appropriate guidance. This includes guidance found at NI Direct and any self-isolation advice you are given by the PHA, if required. During a period of self-isolation, you cannot come on to any part of campus.

You can find out more about contact tracing on the NI Direct website.

Your health and safety is the University's first priority, so please do not let any concerns about your work or study stop you from following any of these steps or public health advice.

Staff should follow the usual Sickness Absence Procedure for reporting and managing absences from work due to self-isolation in relation to COVID-19. You can find information on getting an isolation note on the NHS website.

When a staff member wishes to undertake international travel which is considered essential, the travel must be approved by the Travel Sub Group (TSG). A Travel Justification Form must be completed for review and approval by the TSG. Further details, including the form, can be found here. All staff travel outside of the CTA must be approved by the TSG and no bookings can be made with the University’s travel provider, Selective Travel, without confirmation of this approval.

To help keep our people safe, all future business travel must now be booked through the University’s Travel Management Company, Selective. Selective is a local company which provides 24/7 emergency assistance to all University staff who experience flight or accommodation changes or cancellations, and provides vital management information to the Serious Incident Group when there is a significant event that could impact travellers, such as COVID-19.

As always, it is of the utmost importance that University staff remain safe and healthy during any trips in connection with University business. All business travellers are responsible for reviewing official guidance (FCDO, PHA) and University guidance regularly and must ensure that travel arrangements are made with their safety and wellbeing as the ultimate priority.

Please contact the University’s travel provider, Selective Travel on +44 (0)28 9044 2073 or qub@selective-travel.co.uk.

In the case of staff or students needing emergency medical treatment while on University approved essential travel, advice and support is available through UMAL on a 24 hour basis:

• Tel: +44 (0)2920 662425
• Email@ UMAL@global-response.co.uk 
• Please quote the Queen’s University Belfast reference: UMAL170

Over the last few months some Field trips / Field work have recommenced in Northern Ireland, following appropriate Safety Services advice and risk assessment.

For Fieldwork outside of Northern Ireland and the Common Travel Area, the University will continue to follow FCDO guidance on advising against all but essential international travel except to the countries currently exempt. Any requests to recommence field work must follow the Field Work Approval Guideline and ensure that an appropriate risk assessment has been submitted to Safety Services by email to safety@qub.ac.uk, taking into account the risks arising from Covid-19 and identifying the appropriate mitigation measures.

Please be aware that in order for University travel cover to apply, the travel must be approved in line with University procedures (see FAQs), which includes a suitable risk assessment being carried out. Travel cover will provide for Emergency Medical Treatment, including Covid-related treatment while overseas. However, there is no cover for any costs incurred in respect of Covid related issues; for example, cancellation, curtailment, isolation etc, and any such costs will be borne by the home School/Directorate.

If travel is authorised by any School or Directorate, staff should notify the University Insurance Section, of the relevant details for the journey, by completing an online travel notification form.

Details can be found on the Queen’s Travel Insurance page.

If you have any queries, please contact insurance@qub.ac.uk.

If you are feeling anxious, you can contact Inspire, the University’s confidential employee assistance programme, or talk to your line manager.

For more information about how you can take care of your mental health and wellbeing during the Covid-19 pandemic, please visit our Staff Wellbeing page.

Inspire can provide you with advice on a range of topics, and, if needed, will also provide counselling support.  This service is completely confidential, available 24/7 and is free of charge to all employees. 

Staff can call the Freephone number 0800 389 5362 at any time of the day or night, seven days a week.

Some of the areas Inspire can help with are listed below - but this list is not exhaustive so please call no matter what you need advice/support on:

• addiction
• anxiety or depression
• bereavement
• bullying and harassment
• debt problems
• employment concerns
• experience of a traumatic event
• family worries
• personal relationship problems
• stress

They have also developed an online platform, which provides a wealth of online wellbeing resources for you to access and read at your own pace. Please click here for more information.

For staff wellbeing information and events, please visit the People and Culture website.

To help keep you up-to-date with the latest information and updates, we continue to regularly update information provided on this COVID-19 (Coronavirus) FAQs website.

Please continue to regularly check the following websites for the latest updates and guidance:

• the University's FAQs page for students and staff
• the Public Health Agency website
• Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) website
• GOV.UK website
• The World Health Organization

Please follow advice published on the Public Health Agency website.

Find information about current restrictions and what they mean for you on the NI Direct website.

If the information you are looking for is not addressed in the University's Coronavirus (COVID-19) FAQs, there are a range of contact points for staff and students: