Living at Wolfson

All major restrictions have been lifted, but at Wolfson, we are still being cautious.

We're broadly keeping indoor restrictions in place, including the use of face masks. We are reducing the social distancing requirement indoors from two metres to one metre (an arm's length), while wearing a face covering. 

Oxford Testing and Vaccination

The Oxford support structure is in place as follows:

Guide to Life at Wolfson

If you are returning to Oxford please contact us in advance coronavirus.help@wolfson.ox.ac.uk to outline your plans, so we can provide you with the necessary information about isolation support (for those coming from overseas) or LFD Testing (for those coming from within the UK). Those returning to accommodation outside of College are also welcome to do so; please get in touch for advice and support.

Anyone travelling to Oxford from outside the UK will need to follow national travel guidance surrounding testing and quarantine. For more information please see the University website.

  • To support the return of normal site operations staff  are encouraged to  work  from  College  whenever possible. However, Line  Managers  will  ensure  that:
  • COVID safe risk assessments are in place within offices, and the resulting control measures are maintained at all times. Heads of Departments will consult their staff on working arrangements.
  • Managers should ensure that those staff who cannot attend site and are working remotely complete a DSE risk assessment and workstation checklist; available here.

Learn more about working during COVID-19 here. 

College Health Rules

All College members must understand and adhere to the health and safety policies we have put in place, and which are described here:

Lateral Flow Tests

Students and staff working or studying on site can access regular symptom-free (LAteral Flow Device) testing twice a week. You are able to collect LFD tests from the College Lodge. If you prefer to book your tests via the University you can do it using the Book a Test Button on the symptom-free testing webpage.

We strongly encourage everyone to participate, including those who have been vaccinated or have had COVID-19 more than 90 days ago. 

Anyone who tests positive in any LFD tests (including those via community testing or received from the Government via another route), must self-isolate immediately and book a confirmatory PCR test, preferably through the University's Early Alert Service. If staff or students receive a PCR test result, positive or negative, through a route other than the University Early Alert service (e.g. via the national NHS service), they must report their result by using the Report a Test Button on the University's testing webpage.

You shouldn't take the test if:

  • You've returned from a country that is not on the travel corridor list. You should instead self-isolate for ten days. Sadly these tests cannot be used as part of the Government's 'Test to Release' scheme.
  • You have symptoms of COVID-19. You instead must book a PCR test via the Early Alert Service and follow the advice you are given when you receive your result.
  • You have had a positive PCR test result in the last 90 days. In this case, you are likely to have developed some immunity, which means the Lateral Flow Tests are not necessary.

Any worries you have at a College level, please get in touch with coronavirus.help@wolfson.ox.ac.uk.

Resources

Click here for more information on the University web page.

Click here for Lateral Flow Test Instructions Pamphlet (PDF)
 

All staff must complete the COVID-19 online course before returning to College. The course raises awareness of safety at work during the coronavirus pandemic and is applicable in any workplace. Once you complete the assessment, please forward your PDF certificate to the HR Team.

Complete the online course here.

By taking these basic steps, you can protect both your health and that of your colleagues:

  • Keep one metre between yourself and others
  • Use some form of face-covering when using public transport
  • Practise good hand-washing: 20 seconds with soap and warm water or hand sanitizer
  • Cough into your elbow or tissue (catch it, bin it and kill it)
  • Frequently clean high-touch surfaces and workplace items that you come into contact with (doorknobs, desks, keyboards, etc.) Disinfectant products are supplied by the Housekeeping team 
  • Monitor your and family members health, paying attention to the symptoms of COVID-19
  • Stay home if you or a member of your household are ill. 

You should watch for symptoms that may be related to COVID-19. People with COVID-19 have reported a wide range of symptoms, ranging from mild to severe. The main symptoms of coronavirus are:

  • a high temperature – this means you feel hot to touch on your chest or back (you do not need to measure your temperature)
  • a new, continuous cough – this means coughing a lot for more than an hour, or three or more coughing episodes in 24 hours (if you usually have a cough, it may be worse than usual)
  • a loss or change to your sense of smell or taste – this means you've noticed you cannot smell or taste anything, or things smell or taste different to normal. Most people with coronavirus have at least 1 of these symptoms.

Get the latest NHS information and advice about coronavirus.

Anyone who has symptoms of coronavirus (COVID-19) can get a free test to check if they have the virus. All staff and students with symptoms or who are instructed as a close contact should get in touch with the University's Early Advice Service, alerting the College as they do so on coronavirus.help@wolfson.ox.ac.uk.

  • If you are experiencing symptoms or travelling from a country that requires you to self-isolate, please notify Wolfson COVID resource team or manager (if applicable). 
  • Residents can have food delivered to their room during the self-isolation period. Hot meals are available every lunchtime from Monday to Saturday, and supplies for you to make your own breakfast and dinner, and meals on Sunday. Food should be ordered through the Wolfson Online Gateway (SSO required, please email: catering.administration@wolfson.ox.ac.uk if you have any questions). 

The government guidance suggests that PPE is unnecessary in most office-based work environments provided that social distancing can be maintained.

  • PPE is available in the College if required, and will be made available for all staff where risk assessments suggest it might be helpful.
  • Staff can request PPE at any time through their Head of Department.
  • The PPE currently available includes face masks, gloves, goggles and aprons.
  • If you have been provided with re-usable PPE, this should be thoroughly cleaned after use and not shared.
  • If you have been provided with Single-use PPE, this should be disposed of after use.

Reducing Movement

  • As you move around College, you should consider the best time to do so to avoid others and the safest route to help with social distancing.
  • Routes that use the outdoors and avoid touching doors and surfaces is preferable to indoor routes.
  • To aid social distancing, arrival and departure times should be staggered. 

Working in an open office environment

If you work in an open environment:

  • Maintain a distance of at least 1 metre from co-workers.
  • Have at least one workspace separating you from another co-worker.
  • Adhere to the guidance of good hygiene.

Head of Departments must assess open work environments and meeting rooms and enforce measures to physically separate and increase the distance between people.

Working within occupied accommodation areas:

  • The Home Bursary will provide you with appropriate PPE for use whilst you are within residential buildings carrying out your work.
  • This would generally include a mask or face covering and suitable gloves if needed.
  • Social distance at all times and pay specific attention to tighter spaces in accommodation areas where residents may be present.
  • You should only work in areas of accommodation if residents are not in the same room; if they are, you should politely explain that your work can only be completed once they have left the room.

You should adhere to the guidance of good hygiene while in any accommodation area:

  • Frequently wash hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds.
  • When soap and running water are unavailable, use an alcohol-based hand rub with at least 60% alcohol.
  • Always wash hands that are visibly soiled.
  • Avoid touching your eyes, nose, or mouth with unwashed hands.
  • Practice good respiratory etiquette, including covering coughs and sneezes.

Working outside of College buildings:

  • Although generally regarded as a ‘safer’ working environment in respect to COVID-19, you should adhere to the guidance of good hygiene and social distancing at all times.
  • The College accepts that lengthy periods of working remotely from home, being on a furlough break or the whole current situation may have been and still be difficult for you to come to terms with.
  • It is important for you to talk with your line manager, HR, or the other support services available at the College should you feel the need to.
  • If you have concerns about your mental health or the mental health of someone you are close to, click here for a list of resources you might find helpful to contact.

Questions or Concerns?

  • If you have any questions or concerns relating to the COVID-19 outbreak, including self-isolating, or if you are experiencing symptoms, please email the Wolfson COVID resource team at coronavirus.help@wolfson.ox.ac.uk
  • You may report a concern about compliance with COVID-19 health and safety policies or guidance directly to the Lodge or the Home Bursars Office