Coronavirus (Covid-19) and flu

Stay at Home guidance

Coronavirus case numbers are increasing as we head into winter and there are predicted to be significant levels of Influenza and other respiratory viruses within the population over the winter period. The guidance below is equally applicable to these other illnesses as it is to Coronavirus.

In line with the Scottish Government advice, people who have symptoms of Covid-19 and who have a fever or are too unwell to carry out normal activities are asked to ‘stay at home’ while they are unwell or have a fever. There is no longer a requirement for most people to seek a Covid test of any type.

People who still have access to lateral flow device tests should follow the information available on the NHS inform website regarding the action to take if they test positive.

Children and young people aged 18 and under with mild symptoms such as a runny nose, sore throat, or slight cough, who are otherwise well, do not need to stay at home and can continue to attend education settings.

They should only stay at home if they are unwell and have a high temperature. They can go back to school, college or childcare, and resume normal activities when they no longer have a fever and they feel well enough to attend.

Staying safe

You can take action to help protect yourself and keep others safer. Together these actions help reduce the risk and make it safer for everyone.

Lessen the risk by choosing to:

• meet outside where possible
• when meeting indoors, open windows to let fresh air in
• if you can, try and keep some distance from those outside your own household – take a step back
• where appropriate, wear a face covering in indoor public spaces and on public transport
• wash your hands regularly, and cover your nose and mouth if coughing or sneezing
• maintain good surface hygiene by cleaning regularly

Reporting sickness absence

If you do not feel well enough to work/study you should revert to the procedure of informing your line manager / school office to record absence. There is no need now to complete the University self-reporting form for Covid-19. Staff are referred to the standard Sickness Absence Policy.

University members are encouraged to remind those who attend work/study with signs of a serious respiratory illness that they should stay at home until symptoms ease. Covid-19 is only one of a range of serious viral respiratory illnesses that exist.

Scottish Government advice is that Covid-19 symptoms include:

• Continuous cough
• High temperature, fever or chills
• Loss of, or change in, your normal sense of taste or smell
• Shortness of breath
• Unexplained tiredness, lack of energy
• Muscle aches or pains
• Unusual hunger
• Headaches
• Sore throat, stuffy or runny nose
• Diarrhoea, feeling sick or being sick.

Post Covid Syndrome (Long Covid)

It is recognised that some people experience lasting effects after contracting Covid 19. The University offers help and advice regarding such effects, which is available from Occupational Health. Please see the OH web page for details.

Student support

Support from the Enquiry Centre is available Monday to Friday between 09:00 and 17:00 (UK time).

• University Residences: residences@dundee.ac.uk
• Welfare and support guidance: stayoncourse@dundee.ac.uk
• International Student Support: internationalsupport@dundee.ac.uk

View Student Services for contact details of all our services

See also

• Travel guidance for international students
• Guide to the no detriment policy
• Application form and guidance for consideration of mitigating circumstances

Latest Scottish Government advice

• Coronavirus (Covid-19): staying safe and protecting others