UCU Coventry Branch Committee tabled the following COVID-19 related questions to the Coventry University Health and Safety Committee.

23 September 2020

Dear All,

We note with alarm that clear and easily accessible information is not widely available on what staff should do if a student tests positive for COVID-19.  Additionally we have had numerous queries from UCU members asking for clarification in writing to the following questions by Monday 28 September 2020:

1. If a student tests positive will the university notify all students in that student’s teaching pod?  
2. If a student tests positive will the university notify the member of staff in that student’s teaching pod? 
3. How soon will staff and students be notified if a student reports having symptoms to the University ?
4. How will the university notify staff and students?
5. Will all staff and students in a teaching pod be expected to self-isolate?
6. If the staff and students are self-isolating will the teaching for these pods be moved online?
7. How will the university notify staff and students of COVID-19 cases in the schools and faculties?  
8. What is the current weekly number of confirmed Covid-19 cases at Coventry University to date of both students and staff since the start of term?
9. Have all staff who are required to work on campus had suitable and sufficient risk assessments?
10. In light of updates from the government, will there be a review of the social distancing and mask policy?
11. What is the University’s outbreak management plan to deal with a Covid-19 outbreak on campus?  
12. Has the university adopted a 4 tier system for risk management control as per government guidance.  If so, when and how will staff be notified? 
13. How do you factor local infection rates into your operational delivery plans to ensure appropriate safety measures are in place? 
14. Does the University have separate policies for vulnerable groups? If they exist, then these policies should be made available for all staff.
15. Does the university have a procedure in place to allow staff to escalate safety concerns and remove themselves from any potential serious or imminent danger?
16. Following the PM’s announcement on Tuesday 22 September 2020, will those who can work from home be allowed to work from home rather than forced to come to work? 
17. How do the risk assessments and safety measures recognise the unequal impact of the pandemic on different groups of workers who are most affected and at risk from the effects of Covid-19?

UCU has stated that all universities’ default position should be online learning to avoid risking a major health crisis. 

Stay Safe

UCU Committee