Updated: 24 March 2020.
In response to the updated measures announced in the Prime Minister’s statement of 23 March, we expect all members of our community to follow the latest government instructions and stay at home.
You should only leave home in order to:
- shop for basic necessities, as infrequently as possible
- take one form of exercise a day e.g. a run, cycle or walk, alone or with members of your household
- manage a medical need or provide care or help to a vulnerable person
- travel to and from work but only where absolutely necessary.
Fuller guidance is provided on the official Government Coronavirus (COVID-19) website.
We encourage our staff and students to regularly check their KCL inbox and these coronavirus pages on our website for the latest updates, advice and answers to questions from the College.
We thank every member of our community for their patience and support and for all they are doing to look out for their students, colleagues and friends in this challenging and unsettling time.
Latest advice
You only need to self-isolate for 14 days if a member of your household is showing symptoms or you are directed to following medical advice, please see the PHE guidance.
Anyone with a ‘new, continuous’ cough or a high temperature is advised to self-isolate for 7 days.
- You will need to let your Personal Tutor, Academic Supervisor or Line Manager know if you are self-isolating for 7days.
- Notify King’s by completing the self-isolation reporting form.
- You do not need to contact NHS 111 to tell them you are staying at home.
Only use the NHS 111 online coronavirus service if:
- You feel you cannot cope with your symptoms at home
- Your condition gets worse
- Your symptoms do not get better after 7 days
Staff and students who are not able to return after 7 days should follow the medical advice provided by NHS 111 online coronavirus service and:
- Notify your Personal Tutor, Academic Supervisor or Line Manager know so they can make arrangements to support you and keep them updated.
- Notify King’s by completing the self-isolation reporting form.
As part of the new measures, testing will only focus on identifying people with the virus in hospital.
If you live with someone who has symptoms
- If you live with others and you or one of them have symptoms of coronavirus, then all household members must stay at home and not leave the house for 14 days. The 14-day period starts from the day when the first person in the house became ill.
Public Health England has released new guidance for those staying at home because they have symptoms of the virus - a cough or a temperature of 37,8C (100F) or more or live with someone with symptoms.
If you have any concerns about your health in relation to suspected novel coronavirus, please go to NHS 111 online and follow PHE advice.
Advice for students and staff
Students
Teaching sessions for taught students will be delivered online from 23 March 2020 until the beginning of May 2020. There may be some exceptions to this policy in Clinical Faculties, for example where term dates differ. Students are being contacted by their faculties and departments about specific plans for clinical and lab teaching.
Exams and assessments will take place remotely after Easter.
Guidance on supporting teaching and learning with technology is available.
Staff
Most buildings will now be closed Tuesday 24 March 2020. We would like to reiterate the official government guidance: do not travel to and from work unless it is absolutely necessary.
Many research activities can continue, with staff and research students working flexibly and accessing King’s systems remotely where needed. A skeleton operation will remain for core facilities and the Biological Services Unit.
Additionally, a handful of other buildings will remain open to support essential services and ongoing critical research. If your research is deemed critical and/or essential at this time, such as research directly relating to COVID-19 you will be notified by your Faculty or Department in due course.
If you have young children at home when the schools are closed or have other caring responsibilities and are working at home, we know that you may be unable to commit to a full day of work. We understand that and thank you for your best efforts. You do not need to take annual leave to make up any perceived difference. Do what you can, ask for help and take care of your family. If you are unable to work because of caring for dependants, please talk to your line manager about dependant’s leave.
Keeping updated
Faculties and departments are continuing to provide more detailed guidance and support to our students. We encourage our students to regularly check their KCL inbox and our coronavirus webpages for the latest updates and advice.
We are working in extraordinary and unsettling times and recognise that the significant steps we are taking will cause disruption. We feel that this is the best course of action to protect our community of staff, students and visitors during this