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Coronavirus: Advice for FBA staff with concerns

10 March 2020

Find out more about FBA’s position regarding the novel coronavirus (Covid-19), the procedure for self-isolation, and what to do in the event of UCL building closure.

Coronavirus advice

FBA is maintaining business as usual, and there are no plans to ask all staff to work remotely at present – this may change, and you will be kept informed accordingly. The university is following the advice from Public Health England (PHE), the Foreign & Commonwealth Office (FCO) and the NHS. The UK government has also issued a new action plan, which outlines what to expect across the UK and how they plan to respond to the outbreak.  

As a precautionary measure, to prepare for possible building closures please complete the following:

  • Make yourself familiar with Microsoft Teams and ensure you know how to use Desktop@UCL Anywhere, the service that allows remote access to the S: drive and other platforms such as MyHR.
  • If you have a work laptop and charger take them home with you each night. Alternatively, you may also choose to use your own personal computer from home, if you prefer.
  • Make sure your line manager has your telephone number and that you have the telephone number of your direct reports.
  • Register your mobile phone number on the UCL website so UCL can contact you via SMS in case of an emergency.

For more information about working remotely and the online tools available, please visit the IT Services website. You can also access technical support and help guides via the IT Services help desk.

Of course, we hope that none of this is necessary, but it is important that we are prepared in case circumstances change.

Useful links and information

If you have concerns about your health, please contact the free NHS 111 telephone helpline.

If you have a disability/long-term health condition which means that you have a compromised immune system and are more susceptible to catching infections, or live with someone who does, and would prefer to work from home to minimise your chances of contact with the coronavirus, please contact your line manager to arrange this. For further advice please visit the Business Disability Forum’s webpage on Coronavirus and Disability.

You may find the current uncertainty surrounding the virus and how it could affect your life difficult or stressful. Mind Charity have written a helpful article on "Coronavirus and your wellbeing". Please refer to this article for guidance on staying indoors and taking care of your mental health and wellbeing.

Please remember that washing your hands is one of the easiest ways to protect yourself and others from illnesses including coronavirus, and could help mitigate the impact of the infection.  

If you have any questions about the coronavirus outbreak, please visit UCL’s main webpage at www.ucl.ac.uk/coronavirus, which includes advice about travel, self-isolating and where to get more support. This page will be updated regularly with the latest information. You may also contact Tim Whilde, TOPS Project Manager, at t.whilde@ucl.ac.uk.

For more general advice on the virus, how to prevent transmission, and self-isolation please see the World Health Organization’s website.