Update from College Secretary, Interim Chief Operating Officer & Director of College Health Service to staff and students
3 September 2021
Dear students and colleagues
Almost all COVID-19 restrictions will be lifted by 22 October under the new Government plan COVID-19: Reframing the Challenge, Continuing Our Recovery and Reconnecting, announced on Tuesday. The easing of restrictions in the run up to this date is positive news indeed.
Welcoming students
We look forward to welcoming students back on campus. Next Monday, 6 September, orientation for 2nd year students starts and the SU is hosting an exciting programme of social events which will act as a Freshers week for 2nd years who missed out last year. Keep an eye out for the petting zoo, yoga, live music event, movie screening, spikeball tournament which will be advertised and ticketed by TCDSU.
Next week’s events are outdoors and were planned before the recent Government announcement. We will be working to implement the new Government guidelines on indoor events as soon as possible after that. So, for the moment, all student, club and society activity will continue as planned.
Indoor dining and the Pav to reopen
From next Tuesday the Pav will reopen. In addition, from next Monday, indoor dining will reopen in the Buttery, Old Dining Hall, the Forum Restaurant in Trinity Business School and The 1592 Restaurant. For all of these venues, as per Government guidelines, proof of vaccination and photo ID are necessary for indoor dining. The Perch and Aras an Phiarsaigh coffee dock are open for take away service with no proof of vaccination necessary.
On-campus COVID-19 testing centre
Our HSE testing centre beside the College Health Service reopened again this week for students and staff who develop symptoms or who are identified as close contacts of confirmed cases. Please ring the College Health Centre at 01-896 1556 if you need to arrange a test. Students may also book post arrival PCR tests if needed to reduce your quarantine period.
Students returning from travel overseas
We would like to remind all EU and/or Irish students to follow public health guidelines if returning from travel.
Planning for your arrival (international students)
As we are moving closer to start of term, we would like to remind all students currently planning their arrival to Ireland and Trinity to complete the following steps:
- Fill in your travel Arrival Form
- Regularly check the information on the Students Arrival website as it is being regularly updated.
- If the arrivals process (Greet & Transfer service from the airport) does not apply to you because you are already in Ireland, let us know by completing this form
Keep your guard up!
Please continue be vigilant and adhere to public health guidelines of wearing face coverings, minimising contacts, restricting social gatherings, social distancing, and hand washing etc. With the highly transmissible Delta variant we need to continue to protect each other.
Vaccinations
All members of the Trinity Community are encouraged to participate in the vaccination programme to help ensure that we have a safe return to campus. For more information, please see here.
UniCoV project – safeguarding our campuses
Don’t forget that students and staff are invited to participate in the UniCoV project. This pilot surveillance study is assisting in the detection of increased levels of COVID-19 across higher education institutes with the aim of facilitating the safe and sustainable re-opening of campuses. Please see more information here
Stay safe. Stay well. Bígí slán agus sábháilte.
Kind regards,
John Coman, Secretary to the College
Seán Ó Comáin, Rúnaí an Choláiste
Orla Cunningham, Interim Chief Operating Officer
Orla Cunningham, An Príomhoifigeach Oibriúcháin Eatramhach
Dr David McGrath, Director, College Health Service
An Dr Daithi Mac Craith, Stiúrthóir, Seirbhís Sláinte an Choláiste