Newman University is following the latest Government guidelines regarding COVID-19 – more information can be found at https://www.gov.uk/coronavirus.

If you have a positive Covid-19 test result or symptoms* of a respiratory infection such as COVID-19, and you have a high temperature or feel unwell, you should try to stay at home and avoid contact with others until you no longer have a high temperature or no longer feel unwell. This helps reduce the chance of passing COVID-19 on to others. If you are not sure how to access your teaching and learning remotely, please contact your course tutors or your Faculty Office for more information. Try to work from home if you can. If you are unable to work from home, talk to your line manager about options available to you.

*Symptoms of COVID-19, flu and common respiratory infections include:

• continuous cough
• high temperature, fever or chills
• loss of, or change in, your normal sense of taste or smell
• shortness of breath
• unexplained tiredness, lack of energy
• muscle aches or pains that are not due to exercise
• not wanting to eat or not feeling hungry
• headache that is unusual or longer lasting than usual
• sore throat, stuffy or runny nose
• diarrhoea, feeling sick or being sick

Reporting a positive COVID-19 test to Newman

Widespread testing is no longer available, though some people will continue to test to manage risk to others or due to their own workplace requirements. If you do have a positive lateral flow test or PCR test result, both Newman staff and students should report it on the Covid-19 Reporting Form. This form also provides you with relevant information about what to do next and where you can find support. You should try and stay at home and avoid contact with other people for 5 days after the day you took a test or 5 days after you started to feel unwell if you did not take a test. You should also avoid meeting people who at higher risk of becoming seriously unwell from COVID-19 for 10 days after the day you took a test or 10 days after you started to feel unwell, to make sure that you are no longer infectious.

If you have to leave your home whilst feeling unwell or within the 5-day period following a positive test, you should wear a face covering; avoid crowded places such as public transport, large social gatherings and enclosed or poorly ventilated spaces; exercise outdoors and away from others; and always remember good hand and respiratory hygiene.

If someone from the Newman community tells you they have a positive lateral flow test or PCR test result you should direct them to complete the Covid-19 Reporting Form. If you are a member of staff and need further information about how a positive case report is handled, you should read the Newman Covid-19 Reporting Procedure available near the bottom of the Covid Communications Archive.

How to best protect yourself and others

The best way to protect yourself and others is to get fully vaccinated and continue to follow the behaviours and actions that reduce the spread of the virus:

• Get vaccinated.
• Let fresh air in if you meet indoors. Meeting outdoors is safer.
• Wear a face covering in crowded and enclosed settings.
• Try to stay at home if you are feeling unwell.
• Wash your hands.

More information

As a student or member of staff you can find plenty of information in the Covid Communications Archive. Staff can find additional information on the Covid-19 Support for Staff Health and Safety page. The safety and well-being of our students, staff and community is our priority. You are encouraged to follow this link to read the entire Face Coverings and Social Distancing Statement  You will find a summary of it at the bottom of this webpage. More information about teaching and learning arrangements on campus can be found on our studying at Newman page. Newman University’s Covid-19 Resilience Commitment Statement explains Newman University’s commitment to resilience in the face of the COVID-19 pandemic. A full and detailed corporate University Risk Assessment is available in the Covid Communications Archive on the University intranet. Local risk assessments have been undertaken by teams and business units.

The following face covering and social distancing statement is in place from 1st May 2022:

Face Coverings and Social Distancing from May 2022

1. People on the Newman University campus are welcome to wear a face covering around people indoors and to keep 1 metre or more away from other people where possible. The government suggests that you continue to wear a face covering in crowded and enclosed spaces where you may come into contact with other people you do not normally meet.
2. Any staff choosing to wear a face covering in teaching sessions, should wear a transparent face covering*, to enable clear, inclusive communication to all. The University will provide these to staff via their faculties.
3. Everyone needs to be mindful of the needs of others and be prepared to make reasonable individual adjustments that may be important to others. This might involve giving someone more space, considering wearing a face covering to make someone else feel safer, using a transparent face covering*, or temporarily removing your face covering in order to aid communication.

* N.B. Safety-wise the most effective face coverings are well-fitted, and prevent the dispersal of airborne particles, meaning a face-mask with a clear panel is the safest option. However, a full face visor / shield is acceptable in these circumstances as they are often considered to be more helpful to aid clear communication.