The University of Lincoln has established a planning group to ensure that the institution is “well prepared” for all scenarios that could arise out of the coronavirus outbreak.
Data from Public Health England published yesterday showed that there was one confirmed case of the virus in Lincolnshire, which originated in the Chinese city of Wuhan late last year.
As the virus spreads, schools and universities have been closed in countries including Italy and Greece, but there are currently no cases confirmed at the University of Lincoln or any suggestion that the confirmed cases in Lincolnshire are linked to the university.
Now, in an email sent to all staff and students this afternoon, the University of Lincoln confirmed that it has established a Covid-19 Planning Group to be chaired by one of the university’s deputy vice chancellors, Professor Toby Wilkinson.
It comes after the university announced a temporary ban on non-essential travel for university business last week to any Category 1 or Category 2 countries.
At the time of writing, 383 cases of coronavirus have been confirmed in the UK, although chief medical officers have reiterated that the risk to the country remains moderate.
Addressing the issue of closing the university, a statement from Professor Wilkinson said: “We have received questions from students and parents with regard to whether the university will close and what will happen if we do.
“The university will act at all times in accordance with the advice from Public Health England and other government bodies.
“At this time, there are no plans to close the university and further updates will be provided if the advice from Public Health England changes.
“At a local level, managers are looking to provide any support that staff or students may need.”