In today’s daily
Your DMU Safety update, we’re reminding staff and students about the need to
always use the QR codes via
DMU Safe Trace and the
NHS Covid app where prompted on campus to help protect the health and safety of our students, staff and visitors.
Track and Trace is a vital tool in combatting the spread of Covid-19 and keeping each other safe. Please remember (and ask others) to always scan in, where prompted when entering buildings and spaces on campus.
This supports the university and the local and national health bodies to trace members of our community in the event there are cases of COVID-19 on campus. It is also a mechanism to report positive cases to the university so we can support students and staff and respond quickly to close off/deep clean affected areas if there are confirmed cases on campus.
DMU Safe Trace is our own location registration service using QR codes (via the MyDMU app) (as shown in the picture on the left) and/or a webform (dmu.ac.uk/safetrace). DMU Safe Trace QR codes are displayed in teaching, learning and office spaces as they are primarily used by students and staff
There will be regular updates to the DMU Safe Trace tile on the MyDMU app so please make sure you are using the latest version if you have any trouble using the DMU QR codes. You can update the tile by clicking on the ‘updates’ tab at the bottom of the app home screen. Please note that only the MyDMU app will work with DMU Safe Trace QR codes.
Recording a seat number
To further improve our DMU Safe Trace system we will be numbering all tables and desks in one-metre plus teaching rooms over the next week. All students will be asked to take a picture on their smartphones and/or a written record of the number of their seat each time they visit a teaching room that is designated one-metre plus. This is so we can help identify anyone who has been in close contact (i.e. at less than two-metres social distancing) with a person who has tested positive for Covid-19. People who fall into this category will be told to self-isolate. If a safe distance of two metres or more has been maintained while wearing a face covering at all times, the current Public Health England guidance is that a person is not required to self-isolate. Keep a look out for more information on this early next week for when the new process comes into force.
NHS COVID app and Test and Trace QR Codes in community used areas
As some of our campus buildings and facilities are used by the local public, staff, students and visitors need to use the NHS COVID-19 app and NHS Test and Trace QR codes in these areas. This includes all food outlets (e.g. Food Village, Riverside Café) and leisure and sports spaces such as the QEII Leisure Centre and Beaumont Park. Visit the DMU Safe Trace webpage on Your DMU Safety for a full list of buildings where NHS Test and Trace QR codes are located.
Please note that only the NHS COVID-19 app will work with NHS QR codes, and that it will need to be updated to the latest version.
To find out more about how both systems work and how you can download/use the apps and webforms click here.
Leicester placed in Tier two of new government COVID alert levels
Following the launch of the government’s new three tiered system for local Covid alert levels and restrictions in response to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, it has been confirmed that Leicester has been placed in the Tier 2 (high-risk) category.
This tier means that household mixing will still be banned indoors, but support bubbles - which allow adults who live alone or with dependent children to mix with another household - will still be permitted. However, by being moved into this new Tier 2, two households will be able to meet outdoors. This means, once again two groups of up to six people in total can meet in gardens or parks - but they must not meet inside pubs, homes, restaurants, or any other indoor setting. Oadby and Wigson has also been placed in Tier 2. The rules from Tier 1 - including the rule of six and hospitality closing at 10pm - also still apply for Leicester.
People living inside and outside of the affected local areas (even if you’re based in Tier 2 or Tier 3 areas) can continue to travel in and out for work/study. The government have confirmed that universities (alongside non-essential retail and schools) will remain open in all levels.
Registering at De Montfort Surgery
If you’ve not done so already, it is recommended that you register at a GP surgery while studying at university. De Montfort Surgery is situated on the DMU campus and is the closest GP surgery for students. From this year, students can now register to be a patient online to avoid queues at the surgery.
Healthy DMU masterclasses
Masterclasses are resources that will support you and your studies while at DMU and we have developed an online programme which is available for you to book on to. You can go to as many as you wish and they are all free for DMU students. Check out the Healthy DMU Hub for health and wellbeing support at DMU.
Are you eligible for Disability Students Allowance?
Lots of people do not consider their medical condition/mental health a disability and will often not apply for the support that is available to them. The Disabled Students’ Allowances (DSA) covers a wide range of conditions and is often overlooked by many students because of its title. There are many positives to having this DSA support in place and it can provide financial aid in many different ways. You could be eligible to apply for DSA if you have a:
- Long-term health condition including crohn's, sickle cell and multiple sclerosis
- Mental health condition such as OCD, anxiety or depression
- Specific learning difficulty like dyslexia
- Neurodivergent conditions including autism
To be eligible to apply you must be a UK home student and on a course, which is also eligible. Check in with disability@dmu.ac.uk or wellbeing@dmu.ac.uk to find out more. You can visit the wellbeing and disability webpage for more information on support available.
How to Report
If you have tested positive for Covid-19 please report it to the university by completing our dmu.ac.uk/safetracenotify form.
All the information and help that you need to enjoy campus life in a safe and secure way is available on the Your DMU Safety website. Please make sure you read and follow all of the guidance and support on this site and check back regularly for updates. We will continue to closely follow and implement UK Government, Public Health England (PHE) and local authority guidelines.
Posted on Tuesday 13 October 2020