MyGlasgow News

This an updated version of advice which we issued on Monday 2 March. Please note the guidance relating to travel to areas which the Government has identified as category 2.

The University is in regular contact with Health Protection Scotland and has received updated guidance. The risk on campus in Glasgow and Dumfries remains low. Separate communications are being issued for students and staff members who are overseas.

We all need to be aware of what the virus is and what we can do to prevent infection.
COVID-19 is a new strain of Coronavirus. The incubation period is between 2 and 14 days.

The following symptoms may develop in the 14 days after possible exposure to COVID-19 infection:

• Coughing
• Difficulty in breathing
• Fever

Generally, these infections can cause more severe symptoms in people with weakened immune systems, older people and those with long-term health conditions.

There is currently no vaccine to prevent COVID-19. The best way to prevent infection is to avoid being exposed to the virus. Key to this is good hygiene – regular hand washing, avoiding touching your face, covering your cough or sneeze with a tissue and then throwing the tissue in a bin. Hand-sanitising gel has been provided across the University.

Anyone who has returned from Hubei Province in China in the last 14 days should self-isolate at home until 14 days after they left Hubei Province.

People who are returning from other category 1 risk areas listed on the HPS COVID-19 website since 19 February 2020 should also self-isolate at home.

Anyone who develops symptoms of fever, cough or shortness of breath during self-isolation should contact their GP or NHS24 on 111.

People who have returned from category 2 areas also listed on the Health Protection Scotland website are advised to stay at home if they develop symptoms and contact their GP or NHS24 on 111.

The University has decided that all non-essential business/study travel to areas listed as category 1 will not be authorised and we discourage travel to areas listed as category 2 unless this has been booked and arrangements have been made. Similarly, we would discourage anyone travelling to the University from category 2 areas. If your travel is considered to be essential, you must complete a travel risk assessment https://www.gla.ac.uk/myglasgow/seps/az/travelsafetyandoverseaswork/ and forward to the Director of Health, Safety and Wellbeing. You should also seek guidance from the Director of Health, Safety and Wellbeing if you are unsure about any element of your travel plans, or if you are expecting visitors from these areas. 

We would ask that if colleagues are considering asking a member of staff to go home or remain at home, or feel that other special precautions are required, they should contact the Director of HSW or the Head of Safety and Environmental Protection to discuss this first.

We will shortly be writing to all students who are on exchange programmes overseas to provide further information.

A scenario planning workshop involving key university colleagues will take place this week. This will focus on what we might do should the situation deteriorate, or a pandemic be declared, including possible disruption to international recruitment.

 

 

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First published: 3 March 2020