Continuing suspension of face-to-face activities

**Update 20 May 2020 – the provisional date of reopening of 29 May is no longer in place. Reopening will resume at a date to be confirmed.**

On 20 March, the University took the difficult decision, in accordance with public health advice, to suspend face-to face-activities and restrict access to its buildings, including the Learning Hub later that month.

Update about reopening

Initially our provisional date to reopen was Monday 20 April, and we updated our staff and students to inform them this would be kept under review.

However, considering the persistent risk across the UK from the coronavirus – and the expectation that social distancing measures will remain in place – our new provisional date to reopen is Friday 29 May, although this will be subject to change depending on prevailing circumstances.

One of the largest factors to our decision to suspend face-to-face activities before the lockdown was announced was the decision to close schools.

We knew this would make life very difficult for a good proportion of staff and students with childcare responsibilities, and affect our ability to be able to delivery key facilities or services.

It is unlikely children will return to school until at least after the May half term holiday so we want to make decisions now that will support everyone in the future.

UON events

Most university events, commercial activity and other activities have been suspended until at least June or July until we are sure we can manage the site and activities safely.

We recognise that there are exceptions – for example if programmes feed directly into front line health services – and our staff are working hard ensuring these students are supported throughout very challenging times.

More than 200 of our nursing students have answered the government’s call to help the health service by offering their time to fight the coronavirus pandemic, and we are at the forefront of many local initiatives to help the most vulnerable throughout the area.

Note for media

Please note this information has been sent to students, and also forms the University of Northampton’s media statement about the suspension of face-to-face teaching. For further media enquiries, please email news@northampton.ac.uk.