University of Warwick releases provisional “plan of action” to reopen campus safely

The University of Warwick has released a provisional “plan of action to reopen campus and welcome staff and students back to campus”. 

The plan is dependent on the wider context of the UK and government advice, “prioritising the safety and wellbeing” of the community. 

The plan for June includes the partial reopening of University House for end-of-year examination processing, the University Health Centre, the nursery, labs and associated spaces, “where buildings are ready, and according to prioritisation of activity”. 

The University aims to open the following facilities in July: some academic facilities for courses that start earlier than October; Warwick Conferences (phased); shops and cafes (phased); Sports and Wellness Hub and the further reopening of University House for Admissions processing. 

In August, a full-scale review will be held to decide what facilities will be safe to open. The provisional plan aims to reopen the Library, more academic departments and any remaining shops and cafes by the end of August. 

From September onward, the University aims to start welcoming some students on campus, transitioning to the next phase. 

The University has also released guidelines on how social distancing will be implemented. 

To make sure we’re prepared for any situation, we’re developing our own alert-level system

– University of Warwick

The webpage states: “Even as you come back to campus, we’re encouraging you to try to limit the number of people you generally see and meet up with, especially over short periods of time.

“We will be doing the following at Warwick: staggering work and teaching times to stop too many people being in the same place at the same time; reducing how many people are allowed in a building, laboratory, office, workshop, lifts at one time; reducing the length of time staff are allowed on campus.

“We know there are questions around how some of our busier areas are going to be kept safe – such as the library, learning grids and cafes on campus. We are developing our plans, and will be communicating them with you as soon as we’re happy with them,” the webpage added. 

The University has advised that signage, floor markings, queuing and one-way systems will be implemented, among “perspex screens and barriers where 2m separation cannot easily be maintained over a period of time”. 

Addressing social activities on campus, the University said: “We are trying to facilitate as many social activities as we can safely.

“They may be arranged differently (and more creatively) from previous years, but we will provide social distancing guidance depending on the activity and the space used.

Whatever the circumstances, we’re well prepared to ensure that our students can enjoy an excellent learning experience, our staff can focus on their role and development, and we can all achieve our goals

– University of Warwick

“All our event organisers will provide you with full information and guidance so that you can enjoy yourself in a safe environment.”

Guidance about social distancing in halls is yet to be released. 

Addressing the potential of a second wave, the University said: “To make sure we’re prepared for any situation, we’re developing our own alert-level system. 

“We’re also doing extensive risk assessments and will be closely following UK government guidance to inform our decision making as the situation progresses. Any action we take is driven by the safety of our community.

“Whatever the circumstances, we’re well prepared to ensure that our students can enjoy an excellent learning experience, our staff can focus on their role and development, and we can all achieve our goals.”

More information can be found here.