How can you stop it spreading?
Dear all,
A quick update on the college’s current position regarding the coronavirus.
Firstly, a reminder that the College remains open, in line with government advice that schools and colleges should stay open at this time. Please continue to attend classes as normal unless you are experiencing symptoms of coronavirus (a new, continuous cough and/or a high temperature – 37.8 degrees and above), or have recently travelled to/from affected areas (see below).
The College is open as normal for the time being. This may change as the situation develops but we will advise you if there are any relevant changes on a day-to-day basis. We will keep you up to date where there are any changes through the usual methods, including the website, social media and your personal contact details provided to the college.
We recognise this is a worrying time for many of our learners. Please help us to keep our college community safe by practicing good hygiene, covering any sneezes or coughs with a tissue or your sleeve and washing your hands more regularly for at least 20 seconds using soap and water. We’re also asking you to take the steps outlined below:
Additional measures – as a college, we are taking additional measures which require your action:
(1) Please ensure that the contact details we hold for you are up to date. We may use these, including personal mobile numbers, to communicate directly with you in the event of a full or partial closure. Please check that your details are current over the next few days using ProPortal – you can find this in the ‘My College’ area of the website (see attached guide). A guide has been sent to all students via email.
(2) We know that this is a worrying time for our students, particularly those with existing medical conditions or who may be especially at risk in another way e.g. age or pregnancy. If this affects you, then please contact your tutor, who will discuss this with your Head of School in the first instance. The College will do everything it reasonably can to support you and put in place alternative arrangements where appropriate.
(3) The additional measures previously outlined (cancellation of student trips, not attending large gatherings) remain in place.
Government advice – Key points to note:
– The most common symptoms of coronavirus (COVID-19) are recent onset of a new continuous cough and/or a high temperature (37.8 degrees and above)
– If you have symptoms of coronavirus infection (COVID-19), however mild, do not leave your home for 7 days from when your symptoms started. You are expected to report your absence and the reason for it in the usual way, and it will be recorded as an authorised absence. You do not need to call NHS 111 to go into self-isolation. If your symptoms worsen during home isolation or are no better after 7 days, contact NHS 111 online. If you have no internet access, you should call NHS 111. For a medical emergency dial 999.
– You are asked not to go directly to your GP or any other healthcare provider before taking advice from NHS 111, to help restrict the spread of the virus. If you are subject to testing for coronavirus, please do not attend college whilst awaiting test results. You are expected to report your absence and the reason for it in the usual way, and it will be recorded as an authorised absence.
– The advice around prevention continues to focus on washing your hands more often than usual, for 20 seconds using soap and hot water, particularly after coughing, sneezing and blowing your nose, or after being in public areas where other people are doing so. Use hand sanitiser if that’s all you have access to.
– To reduce the spread of germs when you cough or sneeze, cover your mouth and nose with a tissue, or your sleeve (not your hands) if you don’t have a tissue, and throw the tissue away immediately. Then wash your hands or use a hand sanitising gel.
– Clean and disinfect regularly touched objects and surfaces using your regular cleaning products to reduce the risk of passing the infection on to other people.
Travel advice and student absence
– Certain countries have been identified as having been badly affected by the coronavirus, and you are asked to consider any travel plans you may have on that basis. Government advice on those countries severely affected can be found here: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/covid-19-specified-countries-and-areas/covid-19-specified-countries-and-areas-with-implications-for-returning-travellers-or-visitors-arriving-in-the-uk
– Students who have recently travelled from Category 1 specified countries/areas (see above link to latest position) should self-isolate and contact NHS 111 for further advice. This includes avoiding attending college until 14 days after they return. You are expected to report your absence in the usual way, and it will be recorded as an authorised absence.
– Students who have recently travelled from Category 2 specified countries/areas (see above for link to latest position) are advised to stay at home if they develop symptoms. Where students are required to self-isolate under government guidelines and not attend college, we will be treating this as authorised absence.
– If you have caring responsibilities, and you must remain at home whilst you make alternative arrangements around care, this should be treated in line with ordinary rules around absence. However, if you are taking care of a dependent who has either confirmed or suspected coronavirus, please contact the College to let us know.
Outside of the specific circumstances outlined above, students are expected to continue to attend classes as normal at this time. Exams and other end of year assessments are still planned in coming weeks and you should continue to prepare for these as normal.
Useful links
– Guidance on when to self-isolate, and how to help keep the virus from spreading: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/covid-19-stay-at-home-guidance/stay-at-home-guidance-for-people-with-confirmed-or-possible-coronavirus-covid-19-infection
– The list of countries/areas deemed category one or category two can be found here: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/covid-19-specified-countries-and-areas/covid-19-specified-countries-and-areas-with-implications-for-returning-travellers-or-visitors-arriving-in-the-uk
– The DfE have launched a new helpline to answer questions about the coronavirus and education. Staff, parents and young people can contact the helpline on 0800 046 8687 or by email at DfE.coronavirushelpline@education.gov.uk
– What self-isolation means, via Public Health England: https://publichealthmatters.blog.gov.uk/2020/02/20/what-is-self-isolation-and-why-is-it-important/
– NHS guidance on hand-washing: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bQCP7waTRWU
– DfE guidance around coronavirus in educational settings: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/guidance-to-educational-settings-about-covid-19/guidance-to-educational-settings-about-covid-19
We are continuing to take advice from the Department for Education, Public Health England and awarding bodies as the situation continues to develop and will write out to you again with any key updates.
Best wishes,
Elaine
Elaine Bowker
Principal & Chief Executive
The City of Liverpool College Group
Tel: 0151 252 3747
E-mail: elaine.bowker@liv-coll.ac.uk
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