Updates for staff
December 2021
Plan B restrictions – an update for BSMS staff
The Government announced on Wednesday 8 December, that Plan B restrictions will be introduced in response to the rise in cases of the Omicron coronavirus variant. Teaching, research and associated activities at BSMS will continue in person. All staff should read the following guidance.
Working from home
The Government is advising that from Monday 13 December, staff who are not required to work on campus should work from home, where this is possible to do so. Those staff who are required to work on campus, such as those involved in research, teaching and other student facing roles should continue to do so. All buildings on both the University of Sussex and University Brighton campuses will remain open, including the Medical Teaching Building, Medical Research Building, Trafford, SHORE-C and CISC (Sussex) and Watson Building (Brighton). Residences and other services on both campuses will also remain open. Teaching for all years and courses at BSMS will finish by Friday 17 December.
Face coverings
All staff are reminded that it remains a legal requirement to wear face coverings in shops and on public transport, unless exempt. In addition, mandatory face coverings will be introduced in most public venues. BSMS expects all students and staff to wear face coverings, unless exempt, in crowded and enclosed spaces on both campuses – including in all teaching spaces and libraries – and to follow the instructions indicated by signage. This signage is very visible across the campus. One exemption to this is whilst eating and drinking in bars and cafes. BSMS will be introducing more signage in its buildings shortly.
Vaccination status
Vaccine passports will now be required for larger unseated indoor venues with more than 500 people. Vaccination is critical in helping to minimise transmission against this new variant and we strongly advise all to consider vaccinations and booster jabs.
For staff employed by the University of Sussex, please consider updating your vaccination status on the MyView portal, as this is helpful for planning purposes. It is your choice whether you supply this information, and you can update or remove this data at any time.
Testing and isolation
The Government guidance is also updated with regards to isolating if you have been in close contact with an Omicron case, which you can read here. You will be informed by NHS track and trace if that is the case. Anyone with Covid-19 symptoms should isolate and get a PCR test immediately.
All staff can get twice-weekly Covid-19 tests using the home testing kits that can be ordered from the gov.uk website. Staff and students can also collect home testing kits from several campus locations at Sussex and from Falmer Sports Centre and the library at Brighton.
The Mobile Testing Unit (MTU) remains on the Sussex campus, providing PCR testing to those with symptoms from 10am – 4pm. This is operated by Brighton and Hove City Council. And there is a mobile PCR test centre at Brighton’s Moulsecoomb campus until Thursday 23 December. To attend, please book a test slot.
Keeping you updated
We will continue to keep you up to date on measures at both partner universities.
View the Sussex information pages.
View the Brighton information pages.