Institutions resist calls for laboratory staff to return to work from 13 May
A pro vice-chancellor has warned that his university will not be reopening labs on 13 May as it is “far too short notice” to put the right safety measures in place.
Mark Searcey, pro vice-chancellor for science at the University of East Anglia, told Research Professional News that research staff were unlikely to be back in laboratories before the end of this month.
Searcey was speaking after prime minister Boris Johnson said on 10 May that as of 13 May, people who could not work from home should return to work—including those carrying out scientific research.
“We are not expecting anyone to return to work [on Wednesday] as this is far too short notice,” said Searcey, although he stressed that essential work related to Covid-19, such as manufacturing hand sanitiser, had been continuing throughout the lockdown.
“We are developing plans to bring back research laboratory workers so that social distancing can be maintained, perhaps through working in shifts as well as in controlled waves of returners, so that perhaps in the first instance, 20 per cent of lab workers will return,” Searcey added.
He explained that decisions about reopening would need to factor in effects on technical support staff, cleaning the laboratories and how to set up social distancing on campus.
“This is obviously extremely complicated so it will not be rushed in response to the government guidelines but will be a measured and refined approach as we are very focused on the health and wellbeing of all of our staff.”
Lancaster University will also resist opening its laboratories on 13 May. A spokeswoman said that Johnson’s announcement “does not change our position that access to our campus will be managed for some time to come” to keep staff and students safe.
“We are carefully reviewing the latest government guidance to continue with our plans for a gradual, carefully considered and phased resumption of any campus-based activities,” the spokeswoman said.
She added: “We have not taken any decisions as yet in relation to the opening up of buildings and services including research and teaching labs. To do so will require strategic prioritisation of key activities and robust risk assessments which consider the deep cleaning and safety measures needed.”
Following Johnson’s statement, the government published specific Covid-19 safety guidance for laboratory staff on 11 May, in which it said that opportunities to enforce social distancing rules in laboratories “may be limited” and that there was often “high use of multiple-use items such as testing machines and apparatus, not all of which can be washed down”.
Jo Grady, general secretary of the University and College Union, told Research Professional News that health must be the “number one priority” for universities and “nobody should be going back to work” until it is safe, while social distancing plans must factor in travel to work and safe social mixing.
“You cannot reopen without a thorough health and safety risk assessment and being confident that you have met all those challenges,” she said. “We don’t believe universities would want to take those risks and we would not expect staff to return without guarantees over their health and safety.”
After Johnson’s speech on 10 May, Universities UK chief executive Alistair Jarvis said universities should reopen their facilities “at the appropriate time”.
“Every university is different, but we are working with government and public health bodies to ensure access to consistent information for universities as they develop their plans, with the safety and wellbeing of staff and students the top priority. This work is drawing upon significant expertise that already exists within universities and will include the views of staff and student representatives,” he said.