From Dr Michele Glacken, IT Sligo Registrar
ON CAMPUS
I would like to thank sincerely all of the students who are adhering to the practices we are implementing here on campus to limit the spread of COVID – wearing your mask, hand hygiene, maintaining social distance etc. All of us slip up at times and adherence needs us all to be conscious of our behaviours all of the time and other to give us a nudge when we let our behaviours slip. So if a person reminds you pull up your mark or not to pull over a chair in the canteen, take it in good faith. They are only trying to protect your health, their own and their families etc.
OFF CAMPUS
I would like to ask students who are living in either purpose-built or private accommodation in Sligo to be particularly careful. I know many of you are being very careful and are being very vigilant regarding potential symptoms and are taking the necessary steps until you have been tested.
The Institute nursing staff are particularly concerned about some students moving between flats/houses etc and the implications this will have for the spread of the virus. It will also make contract tracing particularly challenging. I fully appreciate how difficult it is not to visit friends in other flats/ houses but for the moment all of us have to limit the number of people we meet. If you have any suspicions that you may have placed yourself in a position where you may have contracted the virus (eg attended a party/ meet up in a pub/ heard someone you met maybe positive/ has symptoms), restrict your movements and contact student health for advice.
Make yourself familiar when you should self-isolate and when you should restrict movements
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Self-isolation (stay in your room) |
Restrict your movements (stay at home) |
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Do this when you |
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Where |
In a room, on your own if possible, with a window you can open, at home or indoors. |
At home/indoors. |
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Work or school |
Do not go to work or school. If you feel well enough to work remotely or home school, do that from your own room. |
Do not go to work or school, unless you work on your own and can completely avoid other people. If you do not have symptoms and you are an essential worker, speak to your employer. |
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Outdoor exercise |
Do not go outside unless you have your own outdoor space where you can get some fresh air away from other people. |
You can go outside to exercise by yourself as long as you keep 2 metres from other people. |
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Going out, other than exercise and work |
Stay in your room as much as possible and do not go outside for anything. |
Stay at home and do not go to the shops or pharmacy unless it’s absolutely necessary – order groceries online or have some family or friends drop them off. |
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Visits |
Do not have visitors at your home and do not visit others. |
Do not have visitors at your home and do not visit others. |
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Other members of your household |
Need to restrict their movements and get a test for COVID-19. |
Do not need to do anything, unless you develop symptoms of COVID-19. Then you will need to self-isolate and they will need to restrict their movements. If your household members develop symptoms, they will have to self-isolate. |
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When to stop |
If you had a positive test result If you were tested because you had symptoms of COVID-19 and your test was negative |
If you were tested because you were a close contact of someone with COVID-19 If you are caring for someone who is not able to self-isolate |
PLACEMENTS
Please do not go to any practice/ work placement if you have any possible symptoms/if your flat mates have any symptoms/ if you have been in contact with any person is COVID positive/if you are awaiting a test. Please do not put others’ lives at risk.
STUDENT CHARTER & DISCIPLINE
As per our Student Charter & Code of Conduct you are expected to behave in manner that protects your health & the health and safety of others and behave in a manner that respect others and the community. I wish to advise you that if you are found to be in breach of the public health guidelines in a manner that puts others health and wellbeing at risk, it will be treated as a disciplinary manner. This includes attending gatherings or initiating gatherings such as house parties which contravene public health guidelines. The sanctions that can be put in place from a disciplinary process can range from fines to expulsion.