COVID-19 – updates and guidance

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The latest information on Imperial's response to COVID-19

Updated Friday 7 January 2022

We will continue with our policy to maximise in-person teaching, in line with government and Department for Education guidance, and on-campus research will continue. Staff not involved in on-campus teaching or research who can work remotely should do so. We anticipate that this arrangement will be in place until at least the end of January.

Safety measures

We are taking additional steps to ensure that working and learning in person remains as safe as possible. The enhanced safety protocols cover masks, testing and vaccination, all of which help to reduce the spread and severity of the infection. We have developed this approach based on advice from our own scientific and medical experts. We will keep it under review depending on the local situation and any changes in government guidance.

Face coverings

Following government guidance, mask wearing is now mandatory on campus for all staff and students. This means you are required to wear a face covering in most indoor settings on campus, including during teaching sessions and in our libraries, unless you are exempt.

Testing

We are continuing to require weekly PCR or twice-weekly LFD testing for access to campus.

You should take an LFD test at home either the evening or morning before you first return to campus.

COVID vaccination

We are very strongly encouraging booster vaccination. We are working with our NHS partners to enable access to vaccinations on or near our campuses. Vaccination is free for everyone in the UK, including international students.

Self-isolation exemption via vaccination declaration

If you are fully vaccinated and wish to ensure that your work or studies are not interrupted by being asked to self-isolate as a close contact, you will need to complete a short vaccination status form on MyImperial. View guidance and FAQs about the form and government guidance.

Working on campus

Although some staff will be continuing to work from home, in order to ensure we can deliver in-person education and support our students, staff who are critical for teaching and learning, including support staff, are required to be on campus for these activities. Research will continue as before, so research staff and students who cannot undertake their research remotely will be on campus. If you are not directly involved in research or teaching on campus but circumstances mean that it is preferable to work on campus, please contact your manager or head of department. You should follow safety guidelines agreed with your manager and head of department in addition to our College-wide measures.

Students

Specific guidance for our students including information for the 2021-22 academic year

Read our student guidance

Staff

Specific guidance for our staff community including: remote working, wellbeing, HR guidance (absence and sickness, recruitment and policy changes) and safety.

Read our staff guidance