Where can I find the latest information and updates?
This is an evolving situation and staff and students are asked to continue to visit and regularly check the following websites for the latest updates and guidance:
Where can I access health advice in relation to COVID-19 (Coronavirus)?
Please follow advice published on the PHA website.
Northern Ireland now has full access to the NHS 111 helpline service on coronavirus. Callers should press 1 when they are advised. This service is provided in Northern Ireland solely for coronavirus guidance and not for other conditions.
In the case of medical emergency, call 999.
What precautions should I be taking?
It makes sense to practice good hygiene and follow advice published on the PHA website.
Please remember these three simple steps:
- Download the app
- Immediately self-isolate if you develop symptoms / test positive
- Inform the University if you receive a positive test, have developed symptoms or are self-isolating via our dedicated online platform.
There are other steps we should all be taking on a daily basis. Please continue to:
- Wash your hands regularly
- Cover coughs and sneezes
- Practice social distancing
- Wear a face covering if 2 metres social distancing cannot be maintained
- Follow the latest public health agency advice
Your wellbeing is the University’s first priority. Please do not let any concerns about your work or studies stop you taking this advice.
Are the University’s campus and facilities still open?
On 14 October the NI Executive advised Northern Ireland Universities and further education institutions to deliver online learning as much as possible. In line with this announcement, we will now maximise digital delivery for the rest of the semester, with face to face learning only taking place where it is an essential and unavoidable element of the course.
The University will, however, continue to offer many services and the following facilities will remain open, with strict social distancing and safety measures being applied.
- Queen’s Accommodation
- Physical Education Centre for individual exercise
- McClay Library
- Graduate School
- One Elmwood Student Centre
- Students’ Union (inc. Advice SU, Student Representation, Clubs & Societies and other services)
- The Welcome Centre
The University will keep the availability of all of these services and facilities under constant review. Other services and activities such as cafes and restaurants (other than for take-away) and team sports will not be possible for the next four weeks. All students living in University accommodation will continue to be fully supported and we would encourage students to remain in their accommodation if they wish to do so.
Current restrictions
Find information about current restrictions and what they mean for you on the NI Direct website.
It is essential that all members of the Queen’s community continue to follow the current public health guidelines.
At Queen’s, staff continue to work from home where possible, though a significant number of colleagues will continue to work on campus to carry out crucial roles, delivering and supporting essential services and conducting research and teaching that cannot be undertaken from home.
Stringent safety measures remain in place on campus and that our teaching spaces are fully risk assessed.
Teaching Delivery
Current teaching arrangements
The majority of teaching will continue to be delivered remotely, while recognising that – particularly as we approach the end of the academic year – there are programmes for which a degree of face-to-face engagement will need to take place; for example, to enable students to meet professional accreditation requirements. Where this is the case, University Schools are asked to discuss any changes with Faculty and then contact students directly.
Teaching arrangements
We expect that for the majority of our students, the teaching plans that were put in place and communicated by Schools earlier this month will remain unchanged.
The majority of lectures, tutorials and seminars will continue to be delivered online. The following teaching will still go ahead in-person and on campus:
- Teaching that is practical in nature (for example, lab sessions, clinical skills etc.) that cannot be delivered remotely or deferred to a later date.
- Face-to-face teaching that is essential for professional accreditation and/or student progression reasons and which cannot be delivered online or deferred to a later date.
For a minority of students, therefore, it is possible that some classes which cannot continue to be deferred may need take place in person and on campus during this period. Schools will contact students directly to update them on any changes.
Research students should continue to conduct research from home where possible. Where this is not possible and there is a need to come on to campus (for example into a laboratory), this is considered essential work and students can do so.
Teaching and learning arrangements will be kept under constant review and we will increase the amount of in-person delivery when circumstances allow. As always, our first priority is the health and safety of all students and staff, and we will continue to adjust our approach and keep you updated as the public health situation evolves.
Research
Research should be conducted from home where possible. Where it is not possible and researchers need to come on to campus (for example into a laboratory), this is considered essential work and colleagues are able to do so.
Asymptomatic testing
All staff and students 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.