Coronavirus (Covid-19)

The University is operating a test centre, to deliver free asymptomatic testing - testing of students with no symptoms of Covid-19 -  at the Butchart Centre on University Road.  Further information can be found at https://www.abdn.ac.uk/about/coronavirus/testing.php

We have introduced a number of practices to support the Scottish Government’s Test & Protect service, and will be maintaining attendance records on campus through many routes.

We will be:

• Recording attendance at classes through MyTimetable
• Strongly encouraging staff and students to use the NHS Protect Scotland (Test & Protect) and SafeZone apps.
• Introducing QR codes on campus
• Creating bookable study spaces for individuals
• Implementing a single online form for staff and students to notify us if they are self-isolating, or test positive for Covid-19.

Reports of individuals self-isolating will be monitored to identify potential issues.  Furthermore, the University has an agreed point of contact with the NHS Test and Protect service, via the Acting Director of Operations.

Each building has been risk-assessed which includes assessing ventilation. A survey of all spaces identified for teaching and study has been conducted to review window operation to ensure compliance with Scottish Government advice that windows and doors should be open where possible. Signs are being put in buildings to clarify if windows can be opened or must be kept closed – the latter where mechanical ventilation is present, and we would ask that staff and students follow the signage in different rooms.

Fire doors must not be held open, with hooks, wedges or other objects, in order to improve ventilation. This would be a breach of fire safety legislation and would be a serious risk in the event of a fire and smoke.  (All fire doors should have a door closer and only those released automatically upon activation of the fire alarm are permitted to be held open). 

In buildings without automatic (mechanical) ventilation systems windows should be opened for 15 min or so when entering the room (especially when the room was occupied by others beforehand). Leaders of sessions are asked to open windows at the end of their sessions and close them at the start.

We understand you might be worried about coronavirus and that being asked to stay at home or avoid other people might feel difficult or stressful. There are lots of things you can try that could help your wellbeing. Some examples include: connecting with people digitally; trying to keep active; finding ways to relax and keep your mind challenged (which can be study related, work related or otherwise). For more information about how you can take care of your mental health and wellbeing during the Coronavirus break please visit the MIND website.

If you are feeling overwhelmed students can contact our student support team and staff can contact the university’s confidential employee assistance programme or talk to your line manager or HR partner.

Personal/individual offices have been deep cleaned over the summer, but weekly single occupant office cleaning is not currently planned for reinstatement in Semester 1. This will however be kept under review, should guidelines change, and as on campus footfall and activity increases.

All shared office areas will continue to be cleaned weekly.

Computer rooms will be cleaned once a day, Monday - Friday, first thing.  Facilities staff will check rooms on a regular, ad-hoc basis through the day as the opportunity presents itself to empty bins and check availability of wipes.

Centrally timetabled teaching facilities will be cleaned as per the normal cleaning cycle, Monday - Friday.  Facilities staff will check teaching facilities on a regular, ad-hoc basis through the day to empty bins and check availability of wipes.

Designated study spaces will be cleaned once a day Monday - Friday, first thing.  

Facilities staff will check and clean study facilities on a regular, ad-hoc basis through the day, including cleaning touchpoints, emptying bins and checking availability of wipes.

Over 700 hand sanitiser dispensers have been installed as follows:

• All entry/exit points to each building on campus, both at Kings and Foresterhill
• Throughout key core circulation areas in buildings

These dispensers are checked and replenished daily through the week by Estates and Facilities.

Sanitiser dispensers are not provided in teaching or study facilities, or for MFDs, vending machines, kitchen or social areas, keypads, IT classrooms etc.

In addition to the normal cleaning service levels, enhanced touchpoint cleaning will continue to be undertaken to specified agreed touch points.  These include (but are not limited to)

• Door handles (except inside individual offices)
• Lifts
• Push plates
• Light switches and sockets
• Sanitary ware touchpoints in toilet areas
• Keyboards and mice in IT facilities, computer classrooms
• Toilet and washroom areas including taps, toilet flushes, sanitary bin lids etc
• Waste receptacle lids
• Kitchenettes (with support from users)

These will be cleaned through the day, Monday - Friday. The target minimum clean remains twice per day, resource dependent.

The need for enhanced touchpoint cleaning will be kept under review during the first semester and will be scaled back if/as appropriate in consultation with Health, Safety and Wellbeing. and with due reference to Government Guidance.

Tubs of cleaning wipes and/or dispensers are supplied at designated functioning MFDs which users must use to clean equipment after use.  These will be replenished by Estates and Facilities. 

Users are expected to maintain good hand hygiene and cleanliness practices including wiping down their desk, mouse, keyboard and monitor before and after use.

The Workplace Hygiene Programme will continue to be in use for AY 21/22.  This will support staff and students during the academic year with reminders to undertake enhanced hand hygiene after touching certain contact points where the risk of potential contamination to users remains high, and where cleaning is targeted at regular frequencies through the day.

Please look out for the touchpoints:
 

This is supported by information boards available at main entrances.

Even in non-pandemic times, building users, staff, students and occupiers have a shared responsibility for maintaining good personal hygiene practices, whether they are teaching, undertaking research, or working in schools, labs or offices.

Schools and departments are expected to make relevant local arrangements for purchasing any other appropriate additional supplies or PPE which are required by their specialism. 

We would ask for support and cooperation from all staff and students to ensure that they maintain the highest levels of hygiene, and take a responsible, shared approach to hand hygiene and general cleanliness.

When on campus, users are expected to clean

• Their own desk, telephone, keyboard, mouse and screen
• Personal Offices, internally - Office door handles and light switches/touchpoints
• Any lecterns, IT or other controls, desktop equipment, projectors, laptops, mice and keyboards which have been in use during a class (before and after use)
• Their own pens, stationery items and cutlery and crockery
• Touchpoints in kitchens after they have used them e.g. kettles, toasters, microwaves, cupboard handles, water coolers etc

Laboratory users in specialist areas or dealing with specialist equipment will be expected to clean their own equipment and touchpoints within the labs.  Schools are required to purchase the appropriate materials to do so, e.g.

Hoists, monitors, gym equipment, specialist laboratory equipment e.g. microscopes, autoclaves etc and including sinks and taps, etc.

Schools and Departments are also expected to provide their own sanitiser in these areas and make arrangements to ensure specialist equipment is cleaned and maintained.

Regular disinfection of High Footfall areas will take place by Facilities staff utilising the electrostatic cleaning system, e.g.

• Lifts
• Reception areas
• Foyers and entrances
• Library desks and chairs
• Eating areas:  including chairs, tables door handles, vending machines etc.

The capacities of toilet and washroom facilities were previously reduced to control building capacity and support social distancing.  These will be increased / adjusted and monitored in line with government guidance. 

All facilities will be serviced as per the service level when they are reinstated to normal use.

There may be some toilet facilities which continue to be designated as closed or out of use.  Building users are asked not to remove tape to access cubicles or urinals, as these facilities are not being cleaned.

Please note that delivery of these revised services is resource contingent.