We’d like to remind the University community that wearing face coverings in buildings is an essential requirement for all staff, students and visitors, unless exempt.

Social distancing and good hygiene practice remain the most effective controls in slowing the spread of the infection, while the use of face coverings – particularly indoors – has also been proven to help. This is why we are asking our community to wear face coverings not only when entering, leaving and moving around buildings but also when using areas such as teaching rooms and study spaces.

It is our responsibility not only to lead by example, but to politely encourage all members of our staff and student community to comply full with our policy. With this in mind, the University is introducing the Advise, Warn, Leave process for anyone not complying with the policy, and asks everyone to assist with its implementation.

Advise, Warn, Leave
The steps below outline the process that should be followed for situations where someone may have to speak to people who are not behaving in line with the policy.

1. Advise – Politely remind the person that it is University policy to wear face coverings at all times in our buildings unless exempt. Sunflower lanyards are available in libraries, to indicate an exception.
2. Warn – If a face covering is not worn following the initial reminder and the person is not exempt, a polite verbal warning should be issued, stating that continued non-compliance with the policy will result in the person being asked to leave the building.
3. Leave – If following the first two reminders, the person still consistently does not wear their face covering, they should be politely asked to leave the building. Students should be asked to show their University Card and their details should be passed on to the Campus Life team and staff details passed onto managers.

Study areas and workspaces (including libraries)
All workspaces and study areas, including University libraries, will require people to wear a face covering at all times. These areas can be identified locally or by the use of green dots to indicate a Covid-Secure student study space.

Exemptions
You may be exempt from wearing a face covering if you have personal health requirements or hidden conditions such as anxiety. A sunflower lanyard can help alert others to this. While wearing a sunflower lanyard to show exemption is recommended, it is not compulsory.

Guidance for wearing a face covering
When wearing a face covering, please ensure you have a good fit, but avoid touching and adjusting the covering where possible, as this can spread the virus to surfaces.

You should wash your hands immediately after removing your face covering and – if you have a reusable face covering – wash it after each use and tumble-dry it if possible. If you have a disposable covering, avoid touching the front of it where possible and dispose of it immediately and responsibly.

We want everyone to be able to use our buildings safely and confidently. We ask that everyone observes this policy and helps to enforce it in our indoor spaces if they feel comfortable doing so.