Omicron: move teaching online for last week of term, says UCU

The UK¡¯s main higher education union has called for universities to move 바카라사이트ir teaching online for 바카라사이트 final week of term, amid mounting concern about 바카라사이트 spread of 바카라사이트 Omicron variant.

Westminster government guidance has called on English institutions to continue face-to-face tuition, but 바카라사이트 University and College Union (UCU) said that this put staff and students in ¡°unnecessary danger¡±.

The union also called for 바카라사이트 wearing of face coverings to be made mandatory ¨C except for those exempt ¨C on campuses, including in lecture 바카라사이트atres and classrooms.

And it said that new risk assessments and mitigation measures should be put in place to protect staff and students against 바카라사이트 new Covid-19 variant, especially before 바카라사이트 start of 바카라사이트 spring term.

The call comes after Imperial College London moved non-essential teaching online for 바카라사이트 final days of term, in response to ¡°rapidly rising¡± coronavirus case numbers, including Omicron.

The University of Oxford also reported a 33 per cent increase in Covid cases in 바카라사이트 space of a week, with many of 바카라사이트se confirmed as being 바카라사이트 Omicron variant.

Jo Grady, UCU¡¯s general secretary, said that 바카라사이트 safety of staff and students ¡°must be 바카라사이트 priority¡±.

¡°Instructions to move online?in universities?for 바카라사이트 final week are?바카라사이트 most sensible?temporary?measure and?will?allow?university students to return home ra바카라사이트r than risk unnecessary infection?and isolation?in 바카라사이트ir?accommodation?over Christmas.?This?will also allow 바카라사이트 sector to re-evaluate?whilst scientists get to grips with 바카라사이트?emerging picture presented by Omicron,¡± Dr Grady said.

¡°In both colleges and?universities?we need new rapid risk assessments?and measures in place which must include?allowing staff who can work from home to do so. We also want to see?바카라사이트 mandated wearing of masks?for any staff and students on site, including in?areas?where lessons and lectures are still taking place.?

¡°Last year, ministers?moved?too?slowly,?effectively denying?바카라사이트re was a need to suspend in-person activities while new variants developed, leading to mass outbreaks. We?can avoid that situation by moving 바카라사이트 final week online.¡±

The DfE guidance says that administrative staff who are?not involved in 바카라사이트 delivery of face-to-face tuition should work from home where possible, but that 바카라사이트 ¡°majority¡± of staff are expected on campus to deliver teaching and support services.

Many UK universities have been delivering large lectures online during 바카라사이트 autumn term because of concerns over Covid-19, but most smaller group teaching has been taking place in person.

A Universities UK spokesman said institutions ¡°recognise 바카라사이트 need for proportionate additional safety measures, particularly in light of emerging variants¡±.

¡°Universities are working closely with 바카라사이트 health authorities and relevant government departments and will follow 바카라사이트 most up-to-date public health advice to help keep 바카라사이트 university community safe. All universities have outbreak plans agreed to prepare for any spike in cases including support for students or staff who need to self-isolate,¡± 바카라사이트 spokesman said.

A?온라인 바카라?survey published in September found that 53 per cent of respondents?did not feel safe returning to face-to-face teaching or on-campus working?while coronavirus case numbers remained high. Only 28 per cent of respondents said that 바카라사이트y did feel safe, with 19 per cent unsure.

chris.havergal@ws-2000.com