COVID-19: updates and information

• Everyone who can work or study from home should do so.
• Staff and students on the shielding list should not come to campus.
• Clinically vulnerable people (who may not be on the shielding list) must complete a risk assessment before making an essential trip to campus.
• Students can complete this semester fully online.
• The Scottish Government has produced extra guidance to help students make sense of the current guidelines and the plan for returning to University. You can read the latest FAQS on the Student Information Scotland website.

• Teaching and learning, for most undergraduate students, will remain fully online until 13 April 2021. For most postgraduate taught students it will remain fully online until 16 April 2021, when classes are scheduled to finish ahead of the exam period.
• There will be limited in-person teaching and essential placements for a small number of students, mostly on vocational courses. Students will be contacted directly about these arrangements. 
• Timetables are subject to change because of the shifting restrictions. It's essential that students check their timetables regularly for any updates. 
• Postgraduate research students can continue their research activity, where essential. Students should follow the COVID-19 protocols and guidance, for both laboratory and fieldwork. Building and laboratory access needs to be approved by your Dean.
• The intention is to return to face-to-face teaching when it is permitted and is safe to do so. The Scottish Government anticipate that from mid-May universities will be able to carry out more in-person teaching and, as details and official guidance on this becomes available, we will get back in touch about what this means for specific courses. 

• From 26 April, travel within the UK will be permitted for any purpose
• Students who have not yet returned to term-time accommodation should remain in their current household until Government restrictions are eased, as far as is possible. If, by exception, any student meets the criteria for essential travel (please refer to the  Government’s website) you should inform the University of your plans by emailing accommodation@stir.ac.uk and book a free no-symptoms test via the website.
• Students should only return to campus in exceptional circumstances: for critical attendance/placements or for serious wellbeing reasons. 
• International arrivals should be delayed if possible.
• International students can return to their accommodation if their travel arrangements cannot be changed.
• If you are travelling directly from overseas to Scotland you must check the Scottish Government website for the most up-to-date information on travelling to Scotland including a requirement for managed isolation on arrival in a quarantine hotel.
• If you are travelling from overseas into another part of the UK, there is a requirement for managed isolation in a quarantine hotel if you are travelling from a country on the UK Government red list – please check the UK government website.
• Check with your airline or other passenger carrier about UK entry requirements and ensure you have all your paperwork before travelling.
• Students who cannot travel back to their term-time accommodation will be entitled to an accommodation credit. Student tenants have been contacted directly with information about this.

• Student accommodation remains open.
• The Students’ Union services and Officers remain available for all students remotely. You can contact the Union at theunion@stir.ac.uk or visit their website. The Union Shop in the Atrium will re-open from Monday 26 April and will be open Monday to Friday 12noon-3pm. The Union online shop is also open. Students can also order their free period products on the Student's Union website.
• The library will extend its opening hours from 7 April to 8am-8pm, Mon-Fri; Sat and Sun opening times remain 10am-5pm. A click-and-collect service for hard-copy materials remains in place and study spaces must be booked in advance.
• Catering outlets – Scran and Refresh remain open for takeaway/delivery only. From Monday 26 April Scran, Refresh and Nourish will resume take away collection indoors and operate a sit-in service. See the opening times and more details.
• Airthrey Park Medical Centre and Right Medicine Pharmacy are both open. 
• Co-op in the Atrium remains open 8am – 10pm daily.
• The Atrium study space is closed.
• The University’s Sports Centre and pool will reopen for individual activity on 26 April – details will be updated on the website in due course. You can continue to stay active and involved with our varied programme of online classes.

• The Kindergarten will be open only for children of University staff classified as key workers.
• Staff should work from home if possible. Buildings and offices are closed and can only be accessed by approval from your Dean/ Executive Director. 
• Only essential research work may be undertaken in laboratories and other research facilities.

The restrictions mean changes to hospitality provision on campus.