Free face coverings have been given out to students at De Montfort University Leicester (DMU) as part of the university’s efforts to keep people safe during the pandemic.
The university has arranged for two free reusable masks for every student, to be collected from locations across campus. They will be available during the first two weeks of term.
It is part of a package of measures introduced to help protect students and staff, which include the DMU Safe Trace app, to ensure people’s movements on campus are recorded in case of an outbreak; 300 hand sanitisers, new signage and one-way routes to support social distancing measures.
New students who are due to begin their studies next week said they appreciated the efforts being made.
Joshua Spencer, who arrived in halls at the of September, said: “You can tell that a lot of work has gone in to this on campus, there are signs everywhere and getting the free masks is a good thing, especially as you can re-use them.
“This is not how I imagined I would start uni but I have met some people already in halls and I have been chatting with people from my course online so I’ve got some friends.”
Graphic Design and Illustration students Talia Baird and Ariana Fastier met in halls. “We’re looking forward to getting started,” said Talia. “We haven’t done much yet, I feel like the most student thing I’ve done so far is come and pick up a face mask.”
DMU has launched ‘Your DMU Safety’ webpages with information on campus safety, including our ‘Shared Commitment’, face coverings guidance, how to access tests, how to report symptoms and much more.
The university has also launched a Good Neighbour guide in conjunction with De Montfort Students’ Union (DSU) so students can play a positive role in the local community given current restrictions on social activity.
Face coverings are being given away on Tuesday 6 October from 9am to 4pm and October 15,16, 22 from 10am to 2pm in the following locations:
• Hugh Aston The Yard breakout space (near the coffee shop)
• Hawthorn lower ground floor student break out area
• Campus Centre Building (near Coffee Hut)
• Vijay Patel The Pod
Members of staff can collect theirs from designated offices in their faculty buildings.
Interim Vice-Chancellor Andy Collop said: “Student safety is of paramount importance. We will continue to closely follow and implement UK Government, Public Health England (PHE) and local authority guidelines, going beyond those guidelines where we think we can and should do more.”
Posted on Friday 2 October 2020