Coronavirus (COVID-19)
Coronavirus: information for staff, students, apprentices, parents and employers
Last updated 12.14 Monday 21 September 2020
NEW RESTRICTIONS FOR LANCASHIRE
On Friday the Government announced some new, temporary restrictions being introduced across Lancashire from midnight tonight (Monday 21 September). We know that all of the changes can be confusing, so we want to confirm what these measures mean and how they’ll affect our courses at West Lancashire College.
What are the new restrictions?
These new measures only affect the way we spend our social time and they’ve been developed to try and reduce the number of cases across the region while avoiding another full lockdown. This means trying to avoid closing schools, colleges and businesses.
From Tuesday 22 September, regulations will ban the following:
- You must not socialise with other people outside of your own household or support bubble in private homes and gardens
- Hospitality for food and drink will be restricted to table service only
- Late night restriction of operating hours will be introduced, with leisure and entertainment venues required to close between 10pm to 5am.
- You are also advised to adhere to the following guidance to further reduce rates of infection:
- You should not socialise with other people outside of your own household in all public venues.
- You are advised to only use public transport for essential purposes, such as travelling to college or work
- Holidays should be taken within your own household or support bubble
- You are advised against attending amateur and semi-professional sporting events as spectators.
Will West Lancashire College Remain Open?
The changes announced don’t affect colleges or other places of education. West Lancashire College will remain open for learners and you should continue to attend your lessons following your usual timetable.
It is important that amongst all of the changes and disruption to our daily lives that your education continues as smoothly as possible and puts you in the best position possible to succeed.
Is it safe to attend college?
The health and wellbeing of our staff and students is our top priority. We have made many changes to the campus and to the way that we teach in order to make learning as safe as possible.
These changes are line with government guidance, designed by Public Health, and they are designed to stop any unnecessary contact, reducing the risk of spreading any potential illness. They keep our staff and students safe, but they also keep all of our loved ones at home, who may be more vulnerable than us, safe.
It is vital that everyone on campus follows our safety measures. This means staff and students need to:
- maintain a safe 2 metre distance from others at all times, even if you’re outside
- follow the one-way systems in place on campus
- wear a face covering inside buildings on campus
- remain in your allocated building/teaching space for lessons
- leave signage and classroom set-ups as they are - do not move furniture, close windows or remove signs.
- use the lifts one person at a time
- wash and sanitise your hands regularly
- stay home if you're showing any symptoms of Covid-19 (new continuous cough, fever, or loss of taste and smell)
- do not smoke on campus
Concerns
We understand that these new restrictions may be concerning and students may be worried about attending college. We want to reassure that the new restrictions are in place to ensure that students can continue their education safely and without further disruption.
West Lancashire College follows all of the advice and guidance set out by our local Health Protection team and we have robust procedures in place to ensure your health and wellbeing.
If you have any concerns or worries about the measures we have in place, or the processes we follow, please contact ask-ther-adviser@westlancs.ac.uk We will do everything we can to support you during this time.
IMPORTANT UPDATE (24/09/20)
We have been informed that a member of the West Lancashire College community has tested positive for Covid-19. We have reported the case to Public Health England and are carefully following their instructions.
As a result, a small number of evening students are now self-isolating and one class will now move to a remote learning model for the next two weeks to accommodate this case.
Those students not affected by this situation are expected to continue with their regular timetables as normal.
We understand that this news may be worrying for some people. We want to reassure you that the health and wellbeing of our students and colleagues is our top priority and campus remains a safe place to learn for our students.
We are confident that the strict safety measures we have implemented on our campus, including one way systems and enhanced hygiene and cleaning procedures are effective.
We encourage all of our students and colleagues to continue to follow all of the safety measures we have put in place, wear a face covering in corridors and communal areas of our buildings and maintain a safe distance from others at all times.
COVID-19 RISK ASSESSMENT
To view our Covid-19 College Risk Assessment, please click here.
STAFF INFORMATION
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STUDENT INFORMATION
Please click here for the latest Student information.
KEEP IN TOUCH
For general college enquiries: enquiries@westlancs.ac.uk
For current student enquiries: ask-the-adviser@westlancs.ac.uk
If you require help through student support: Support@westlancs.ac.uk
For applicant enquiries: admissions@westlancs.ac.uk
Please check back for regular updates.
Important Coronavirus Update
New Restrictions for Lancashire
