Coronavirus (Covid-19) Student Policy
Section 1: Purpose
Coronavirus (COVID-19) is now officially classified as a pandemic and is affecting lives and work around the globe. The purpose of this policy is to ensure and protect the health and safety of our colleagues, students, and clients.
NOTE: This policy may be updated as new information is made available from local health and governmental bodies. You will be notified when updates are made.
Section 2: Scope
This policy applies to all students and is intended to protect the interests of all parties; to reduce the risk of the spread of Covid-19 by setting out clear standards and procedures; and to meet our duty of care towards our students and employees in such circumstances.
A full Student Guide has been provided to all students following completion of our Risk Assessment and Consultation with students; and is available on our website for viewing. This Guide details our internal processes and policy directly aimed at reducing the spread of Covid-19 and should be read in conjunction with this Policy.
Students should also familiarise themselves with our general Health and Safety Policy.
Section 3: What is Coronavirus?
Per the World Health Organization (WHO), Coronaviruses (CoV) are a large family of viruses that cause illness ranging from the common cold to more severe diseases such as Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS-CoV) and Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS-CoV). A novel coronavirus (nCoV) is a new strain that has not been previously identified in humans.
Common signs of infection include respiratory symptoms, fever, cough, shortness of breath and breathing difficulties. In more severe cases, infection can cause pneumonia, severe acute respiratory syndrome, kidney failure and even death.
Standard recommendations to prevent infection spread include regular hand washing, covering mouth and nose when coughing and sneezing. Avoid close contact with anyone showing symptoms of respiratory illness such as coughing and sneezing.
Section 4: Prevention & Protection against Coronavirus
The following required actions should be observed by all students in order to protect themselves and others from Coronavirus. More details can be found in our ‘Covid-19 Student Guide’.
General Hygiene
Students should practice good hygiene by:
- Regularly washing hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds;
- Hand Sanitising on arrival to site and throughout the day;
- Coughing/sneezing into a tissue, or upper sleeve, not in hands;
- Avoid touching eyes, nose and mouth with hands;
- Avoiding contact with anyone with respiratory illnesses of any kind.
Cleaning personnel will routinely clean and disinfect all frequently touched surfaces and communal areas (kitchen and toilet).
PPE
Where Risk Assessment identifies wearing of gloves as a requirement of the specific job role, an adequate supply of these will be provided. Students are reminded that the wearing of gloves is not a substitute for good hand washing.
It is recommended by the PHA that you should think about using face coverings in certain circumstances - short periods in enclosed spaces where social distancing is not possible (e.g. Public Transport).
The use of face coverings will be mandatory in the workplace for both Staff and Students if and when 2 metre social distancing cannot be applied. Staff and students are of course permitted to use their own face covering if they wish to do so.
Illness
Students who are sick especially with cold or flu symptoms such as coughing, sneezing, or fever should remain home and seek medical attention immediately. We strongly advice any students with symptoms to seek a Covid-19 test.
Where a student has been exposed to Covid-19 they should stay home; and follow government guidelines on self-isolating. If a student becomes sick at Rutledge, they will be separated from other students and staff and sent home to seek medical attention.
Shielding has been ‘paused’ from 31st July 2020. Should shielding resume; we will communicate with those students and put appropriate measures in place; following government guidance.
Social Distancing
Students should adhere to social distancing at all times when in Rutledge (minimum 2 metres).
Classrooms will be re-arranged to ensure that students can work at a safe distance from each other; and working side-by-side as opposed to face-to-face.
Section 5:If you have been diagnosed with Coronavirus
If a student has been diagnosed with COVID-19, they may not return to Rutledge until after full recovery has been confirmed by a medical professional.
Section 6: Implementation, monitoring and review of this policy
The Operations Director has overall responsibility for implementing and monitoring this policy, which will be reviewed on a regular basis following its implementation and additionally whenever there are relevant changes in legislation or to our working practices.
Any queries or comments about this policy should be addressed to the Operations Director.
