Message to staff and PGRs
Dear colleagues,
As you may be aware the legal requirement to wear face coverings in many indoor settings in Scotland ends on Monday (18 April).
In light of this, there will no longer be a requirement to wear face coverings in University buildings. The exception to this is within our healthcare settings on our Foresterhill campus where coverings are still required within the teaching and training environment. Local guidance will provided in these areas.
Elsewhere individuals are free to take their time to become comfortable with this change and to consider Scottish Government guidance on the use of face coverings which recommends that coverings should continue to be worn where appropriate - including in indoor crowded spaces and on public transport.
Remember we have a wrist band scheme that lets you signal your feelings on proximity to those around you – red indicates ‘I like to keep a safe distance’, orange means ‘I’m ok with talking but not touching’ and green means I’m ok with proximity. Bands are available in public places across the University.
The new guidance is also being shared with students in this message.
Testing changes
Also, from Monday (18 April), people without Covid-19 symptoms no longer need to take regular lateral flow tests (LFTs).
Free LFTs will no longer be widely available unless these are needed for visits to specified settings such as clinical care.
Until the end of April people with symptoms should still isolate and get a PCR test. Vaccinated close contacts of people who have tested positive should also continue to test daily for seven days with LFTs.
After 30 April, test sites will close, and you will no longer be advised to test. Public health advice for those who feel unwell will be to stay at home until they feel better.
LFTs at Butchart Recreation Centre on University Road ends today (15 April) and PCR testing will also stop at the end of this month.
Finally, from Monday (18 April) we will also stop using our covid reporting tool and all absences will follow the absence reporting practice
If you are off this holiday weekend, we hope you have a relaxing break.
Best wishes
Karl and Tracey
Karl Leydecker
Senior Vice-Principal
Tracey Slaven
University Secretary and Chief Operating Officer