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 ourstudent support team and staff can contact the university’s confidential employee assistance programme or talk to your line manager or HR partner.

Dueto the ongoing requirement forphysical distancing and minimizing risk there will be some slight alterationsto services in the short to medium term.

Personal/individual offices will not be cleaned in Semester 1. This will be reviewed on an ongoing basis. All shared office areas will continue to be cleaned weekly.

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

These are provided with tubs of cleaning wipes and/or have wipe dispensers installed which users must use to clean equipment and desks. These will be replenished by Estates and Facilities.

Staff, students and room users are expected to maintain good hand hygiene and cleanliness practices including wiping down desks, chairs and any IT or other equipment used before and after use.

PLEASE DO NOT REMOVE TUBS OF WIPES FROM ROOMS.

If the dispenser or tub is EMPTY or missing, please contact efrequests@abdn.ac.uk or telephone x 3333

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

Teaching spaces are provided with tubs of cleaning wipes and/or have wipe dispensers installed which users must use to clean equipment and desks. These will be replenished by Estates and Facilities.

Staff, students and room users are expected to maintain good hand hygiene and cleanliness practices including wiping down desks, chairs and any IT or other equipment used before and after use.

PLEASE DO NOT REMOVE TUBS OF WIPES FROM ROOMS.

If the dispenser or tub is EMPTY or missing, please contact efrequests@abdn.ac.uk or telephone x 3333

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

In addition, rooms are supplied with tubs of cleaning wipes and/or dispensers installed which users must use to clean equipment. These will be replenished by Estates and Facilities.

Staff will check and clean study facilities on a regular, ad-hoc basis through the day as the opportunity presents itself, including cleaning touch points, emptying bins and checking availability of wipes.

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

PLEASE DO NOT REMOVE TUBS OF WIPES FROM ROOMS.

If the wipe dispenser or tub is EMPTY or missing, please contact efrequests@abdn.ac.uk or telephone x 3333

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 with normal occupancy levels over 100 people

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

Dispensers are not provided for 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, the following will be undertaken using relevant appropriate disinfectant and antibacterial / viricidal solutions, equipment and disposable cloths and wipes:

Enhanced touchpoint cleaning to specified agreed touch points. These include (but are not limited to)

• Door handles (except insideindividual 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 is twice per day, resource dependent.

Enhanced touchpoint cleaning is only guaranteed to be effective at the time the clean is undertaken - after that cleanliness is totally dependent on building user hygiene.

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.

A Workplace Hygiene Programme has been installed in some bigger buildings which will support staff and students in remembering to undertake enhanced hand hygiene after touching certain contact points.

The programme identifies certain key touch points (through use of a sticker) where the risk of potential contamination to users is higher, thus prompting them themselvesto take appropriate action i.e.going on to wash or sanitise theirhands. It also clearly highlights these touchpoints as areas where cleaning is targetedat regular frequencies through the day.

Please look out for the touchpoints:
 

Please also read and follow the guidance provided on the blue board available at the main entrance to your building.

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 gloves and PPE, wipes for telephones/keyboards and screens, providing sanitising wipes for local school, department, research or personal use, providing masks/face coverings and goggles, and supplying any other appropriate additional supplies. This is to support general good hygiene in offices and other school and department occupied space for day to day activities.

In recognition of the fact that the revised cleaning regime is very resource intensive, this provides valuable supplementary local support alongside the centrally provided services.

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 - 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.

Due to social distancing requirements and associated restrictions on building occupancy levels, the occupancy capacities of toilet facilities around the campus have had to be adjusted. Certain facilities have therefore been designated to as taken out of operation in order to comply with these capacities.

PLEASE DO NOT USE TOILET FACILITIES WHICH HAVE BEEN DESIGNATED AS CLOSED OR OUT OF USE. This includes removing tape to access cubicles or urinals.These facitilties are not being cleaned.

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