COVID-19 - updates and guidance

COVID-19, flu, and respiratory infections 

Guidance reviewed February 2024

Page last updated on Thursday 1 February 2024

Please protect yourself and others and:

  • Stay at home if you have symptoms of respiratory disease
  • Get vaccinated if you are eligible
  • Cover your coughs and sneezes
  • Respect personal space.

Please follow the UK government guidance for any areas not covered by College guidance.

Stay at home if you don’t feel well 

If you are displaying symptoms of respiratory disease, or have tested positive for COVID-19, don't come onto our campuses. Instead, work or study remotely if you are well enough and able to do so.

Staff who do not have work that can be done remotely should take sick leave. 

If you have tested positive for COVID-19, follow government guidance and stay at home and avoid contact with others for 5 days after the day of the test, and avoid contact with individuals with weakened immune systems for 10 days after the day of the test. Otherwise, you can go back to normal activities when you feel better or do not have a temperature.

Students living in Imperial halls of residence should report any COVID-19 test results and contact their hall staff or duty warden if they need any help or support. 

Get vaccinated if you are eligible

The flu and COVID autumn vaccine programmes was brought forward to start on 11 September 2023. 

If you are eligible for vaccination, we encourage you to come forward for your jab as soon as you are invited.

A small number of Imperial staff who are considered at high risk will be offered the flu vaccine by Imperial’s Occupational Health. These staff have been contacted directly.

Cover your coughs and sneezes

Covering coughs and sneezes will help reduce the spread of particles carrying COVID-19 and other viruses.

Respect personal space

For the comfort and wellbeing of others, please respect people’s wishes for extra space where possible. Some members of our community may consider wearing face coverings in crowded, enclosed spaces.

Staff with underlying health issues

For staff who have underlying health issues which make you clinically vulnerable or extremely vulnerable to COVID-19 infection, you can ask your manager to explain the measures taken to control risk in your area. Individual risk assessments can be carried out where appropriate. Occupational Health accepts referrals from managers for employees who have concerns about their personal medical vulnerability after reviewing the risk assessment.

COVID-19 tests

COVID-19 test kits will be available to purchase from Imperial College Union shops on the South Kensington campus and from all libraries.