Campus re-opening and epidemic prevention measures

23 April 2020

Below is a message from Provost Nick Miles regarding students' return to campus, followed by the procedures for epidemic prevention and control.


example image alt text

Notification of UNNC Re-opening and Students Return to Campus

Dear students,

Over the past few days, we have been working closely with several government organisations related to our reopening plans. This afternoon we hosted the Ningbo Education Bureau Inspection Team who undertook a final review of our campus and I am pleased to inform you we can now reopen. Our plan is for students to return in two groups:

Group 1: The first group of students are to return to campus over the period 26 to 28 April to resume face-to-face teaching on 29 April; this group consists of:

  • All year four students
  • Postgraduate taught students
  • Postgraduate research students
  • Faculty of Science and Engineering year two to three students.

Group 2: All other students are to return to campus between 2 and 3 May in preparation for face-to-face teaching on 4 May.

Our Global Engagement Office will contact all international and Hong Kong, Macau and Taiwan students with information you need to know.

As I mentioned in my previous message to you, one of the requirements for UNNC to re-open is that we must be able to report on the daily health status of our students. We also need to collate your travel plans which you can provide using the WeChat mini programme. If you have any questions, please contact your Student Support Advisors.

The health and safety of our students and staff is our overriding priority. The recent inspections of our campus has confirmed that we are complying with all aspects of the health and safety procedures issued by the local authorities. Additional communications related to our epidemic prevention and control procedures will be distributed separately to all students explaining what is in place. If you have any enquiries, please get in touch by emailing students2020@nottingham.edu.cn

If you are unable to return to Campus in line with our reopening plans, please contact thehub@nottingham.edu.cn to apply for absence from the campus.

Best wishes

Professor Nick Miles OBE

Provost and Pro-Vice Chancellor

example image alt text

UNNC Epidemic Prevention and Control Procedures

The health and safety of our students and staff is our overriding priority. UNNC is strictly following the full health and safety procedures from local authorities to ensure the smooth recommencement of face-to-face teaching on campus.

Please take note of the regulations of the local authorities as well as those of the University. These regulations aim to ensure the efficient delivery of epidemic prevention and control on campus and lead to a sound environment for your return.

Before students return

  • A requirement for universities to reopen is that we have to be able to report on the daily health status of our students. To achieve this, we have developed a WeChat mini programme which you have seen the details already. Students should cooperate with the University and Student Support Advisors (SSAs) to update accurate information via the WeChat mini programme. Once all requirements are met, students should strictly comply with the arrangements of the University when returning to the campus. An early or delayed return is not advised.
  • Students should provide daily health updates via the WeChat mini programme, and in the case of any developed symptoms such as fever (>37.3℃), fatigue, dry cough, difficulty breathing or other discomforts, should suspend their return to campus and seek medical treatment.
  • Students should complete the student return registration via the WeChat mini programme to provide their full travel arrangements.
  • Students should bring clinical thermometers along with sufficient masks, tissues, alcohol-disinfectant wipes or water-free hand sanitizers and freshness protection packages (for mask disposal).

While travelling

  • Wear masks correctly when returning to the University, and travel as little as possible by public transportation. Keep hands clean, reduce or avoid touching public facilities and try to avoid touching your mouth, eyes and nose.
  • Keep your travel documents, such as train or flight tickets, for necessary checks from customs and Centres for Disease Control and Prevention.
  • We are following the test and isolation regulations from the local health authorities. So students returning from key areas affected by COVID-19 should cooperate with the local health department and take nucleic acid and serum tests and medical observation once arriving in Ningbo. The latest requirement is that students from Hubei, Heilongjiang and Guangdong are required to take nucleic acid and serum tests. Students from Hubei will undertake a 14-day self-isolation in LA hotel.

Campus access

  • The Campus will be open to the first group of returning students from 8am on 26 April.
  • External visitors without prior approval from the University are not allowed to enter campus during the period of epidemic prevention and control. Parents, other relatives and private cars (unregistered) cannot enter the campus. Students should show campus cards (or ID cards) and a green health code as well as undergo a temperature check to enter the University.
  • Students are not allowed to leave campus during the period of epidemic prevention and control except for essential purposes such as medical treatment. Students must gain approval from SSAs to leave campus and should return by a specified time. Under no circumstances should students remain off-campus overnight.

Daily health inspection

Student should check their body temperature and health conditions twice a day and report via the WeChat mini programme. Report to UNNC Clinic (dial 88180120) and Student Support Advisors immediately in case you or people nearby show symptoms such as fever, fatigue, dry cough and breathing difficulties. People with fever should wear masks as soon as possible.

Health and safety protocols

  • Keep hands clean all times. Wash hands before and after meals, after using the toilet and after sneezing or coughing.
  • Keep dormitories clean and tidy. Daily ventilation is recommended (at least twice a day for more than 30 minutes). Do not visit or gather in other dormitories.
  • Animals are not allowed inside the student halls of residence. Avoid all contact with wild/stray animals.
  • Please walk up the stairs if you live on or below the 5th floor. Wear a mask when taking an elevator and wash hands after touching the elevator button.
  • Reduce unessential travel and do not participate in any large-scale activities or gatherings. 
  • Eating meals in a group is not allowed. Please take food away to eat elsewhere if there are not enough free tables in the canteens.
  • Please comply with personnel flow restriction regulations in public areas on campus (e.g. library, sports centre) during the epidemic prevention and control period and maintain a social distance within these areas.
  • Please wear masks in crowded or poorly-ventilated areas such as classrooms, library, and stores in the living area.
  • Please wear masks while speaking at a close distance or having close contact with others. 
  • Please wear masks when entering the Clinic, observation rooms, and temperature measuring points.   

Student affairs management

  • Please take part in online assemblies delivered by Student Support Advisors and pay close attention to important notices and tips for your return.
  • The Free Talk service is available and prioritised for students from key areas affected by the epidemic.
  • Please keep your mobile phones on and your University email box accessible in case of important messages.
  • Student activities that physically take place on campus are suspended during the period of epidemic prevention and control.
  • It is highly appreciated that all returning students comply with the University’s epidemic prevention and control protocols. Any violators will likely face disciplinary action.

Please continue to check your email for more information.