Coronavirus COVID-19

New national lockdown restrictions came into place on Thursday 5 November - these replace the previous tier 2 local restrictions in London and York until advised otherwise.  

Government guidance is that schools, colleges and universities are viewed as essential and will remain open and we continue to operate with COVID safety measures in place. 

We will continue to meet the government’s expectation of providing a blended learning approach that includes face-to-face teaching where possible, alongside physical distancing and wearing face coverings.  

We are following and exceeding public health guidance to make our spaces safe. The health, safety and wellbeing of staff, students and our local community continues to come first.    

The global outbreak of coronavirus (COVID-19) is a rapidly changing situation and we recommend you check the latest information published by the UK Government: 

• Stay at home: guidance for households with possible or confirmed COVID 19 infection

• Guidance for contacts of people with confirmed COVID 19 infection who do not live with the person

• Local COVID alert levels 

• COVID restrictions in your local area  

• Situation in the UK

• Information about the virus and symptoms

• Advice for travellers

• Guidance for educational settings

A YSJ COVID Coordination Centre team is working closely with City of York Council, Public Health and Health Protection Teams to manage the COVID Control Plan for York St John University and reduce transmission of COVID 19.

The team uses data from existing sickness and absence reporting procedures which have been adapted to capture the information needed to monitor both symptoms, periods of self-isolation and any positive cases.

The team is led by Dr Amanda Wilcox, University Secretary and representatives from Health and Safety, HR, IT, Student Life, Registry, Estates, International and the Students’ Union.  

The team's priorities are to protect the health of all members of the University community and reduce disruption to University academic activities.

Any queries for the team should be emailed to COVIDcoordination@yorksj.ac.uk 

Staff or students displaying one or a combination of the symptoms below should remain at home or return home / to university accommodation immediately and begin self-isolating for 10 days from the onset of symptoms. 

1) a new continuous cough
2) a high temperature
3) a loss of, or change in, your normal sense of taste or smell (anosmia)

All other household members who remain well, must stay at home or in university accommodation and not leave the house for 14 days. This includes anyone in your support bubble. Students in university accommodation should not return to their parental home.

Try and get a test. Anyone with symptoms is eligible for testing via https://self-referral.test-for-coronavirus.service.gov.uk/antigen/name or by calling 119.

All staff and students must notify the University immediately if they begin experiencing symptoms of COVID 19 or are self-isolating for any reason.
 
Students must notify us via the absence form hosted on the website which has been adapted to capture COVID 19 data.

Staff need to report every absence (whether symptomatic, or self-isolating with no symptoms) using the COVID-19 Reporting Form on the intranet. 

Please advise your manager if you cannot do this for any reason. Line Managers / Academic Leads can complete the COVID-19 Reporting Form on behalf of others. 

If you are contacted via NHS Test and Trace, and do not have symptoms, self-isolate as advised. Please let us know that you are self-isolating by emailing COVIDcoordination@yorksj.ac.uk 

IMPORTANT: If you have been asked to self-isolate by NHS Test and Trace, but do not have symptoms, colleagues, students and members of your household can continue normal activities. 

Staff and students are encouraged to download the NHS Test and Trace app when it launches nationally on Thursday 24 September.

Read about what the COVID 19 app does.

Read more about guidance for contact with a confirmed case.

It is essential that you observe self-isolation periods in full, or you could face a fine.  

If your test is positive, you must continue to self-isolate. 

It is essential that you contact COVIDcoordination@yorksj.ac.uk if you receive a positive test result.

Anyone you live with, and anyone in your support bubble, must self-isolate for 14 days from when you start self-isolating.

Read more about how long to self-isolate. 

You must fully observe self-isolation periods or you could be liable for fines.   

You and your household or support bubble do not need to continue self-isolating if your test was negative. If no one in your household is displaying symptoms, you can all return to normal activity.

Please let us know by contacting COVIDcoordination@yorksj.ac.uk if you receive a negative test result.

Read more about what your test result means.

The new guidance states that students should not travel at all between permanent and term-time homes during the lockdown period. Travel restrictions have been put in place to minimise the spread of the virus and to support students achieving the outcomes on programmes of study. The government has stated that students will be able to return home for Christmas once this period is over.   

University buildings remain open and there are no local travel restrictions for staff and students to continue commuting to work or study on campus. Study facilities are available with COVID-safe measures in place. 

Prejudice will absolutely not be tolerated at York St John University.

Anxiety about COVID has led to some reactions that are unhelpful and at times, upsetting. This is a difficult time for everyone. For any students or staff to face discrimination is deeply unfair. Our University welcomes staff and students from all over the world and we expect everyone to be treated equally and with respect. If you see or experience any unwelcome comments or behaviours from other students in relation to the COVID transmission, please report it. Use our anonymous report and support process. Reporting incidents means the University can combat these behaviours, so do report anything that makes you feel uncomfortable. 

Please also get in touch with our Wellbeing Team if you would find it helpful to talk to someone. They can be contacted by email at wellbeing@yorksj.ac.uk. Our University Chaplain Revd. Jane Speck is also available to support those of all faiths and none. She can be contacted by email j.speck@yorksj.ac.uk or phone 01904 876606.