Institute’s response to new national lockdown

Key points:

• Since lockdown, the Institute has been implementing its coronavirus response plan. All phases of this plan are focused on protecting the wellbeing of staff.
• Due to the government announcement made on 4th January, the Institute has adjusted its phased response to reduce staff densities for research and lab-based science support roles with a focus on essential and prioritised research.
• The Institute’s operations continue to be informed by comprehensive risk assessments and control measures plus government guidance.
• The Institute continues to monitor government advice closely and will respond appropriately.
• The Institute’s Nursery remains open.

5 January 2021

Following the start of a new national lockdown on 5th January, the Institute has adjusted its coronavirus response plan, restricting the staff densities in the Institute’s labs and offices but otherwise operating under the Institute’s COVID-19 Secure Risk Assessments with social distancing and good hygiene practices. Where possible, staff are working remotely.

The Institute remains committed to providing a safe place of work through the continuation of our current measures and careful monitoring. As an employer, the Institute has a legal responsibility to protect workers and others from risk to their health and safety. This means we need to think about the risks our staff and associates face from COVID-19 and do everything practicable to minimise them, whilst recognising that we cannot completely eliminate the risk of COVID 19. The Institute displays the COVID-19 Secure certificate in accordance with government requirements.

We have conducted a thorough COVID-19 Secure Risk Assessment, using the government's lab-specific guidance to inform our decisions and control measures. This has allowed us to put in place appropriate arrangements to allow Institute staff and associates, as well as customers and suppliers (where applicable), to work safely.

The Institute has considered and put in place control measures for the following key risks:

• The transmission of SARS-COV-2 on site by person-to-person transmission or contact with fomites (objects that can carry infection between people).
• The impact of the pandemic and working conditions on the mental and physical wellbeing of staff.
• The impact of the pandemic and working conditions on equality and diversity.
• The maintenance of buildings and facilities on site during the pandemic.
• Information security breaches due to new working conditions and an increase in fraud / scams during the pandemic.
• The financial impact of the pandemic.

Individual departments within the Institute are maintaining their own risk assessments underneath the Institute's overarching COVID-19 Secure Risk Assessment and guidance on control measures. Departmental risk assessments have been conducted by nominated Health and Safety coordinators in conjunction with the departments and groups they support.

The Institute continues to comply with its existing obligations under Health and Safety, Employment and Equality law.

This information will be updated as the Institute follows its business continuity planning.

Additional/related resources:

News: Institute initiates its return to work plan. 5 June 2020

News: The Babraham Institute's contribution to the COVID-19 response. 6 May 2020

News: Institute's response to the coronavirus pandemic. 19 March 2020