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Dear College community, 

Following the Government’s announcement yesterday regarding public health measures that will come into place on Friday 22 October, Trinity’s Living with Covid Oversight Group met today to discuss the impact of this on our plans. We can confirm that as planned, we are removing the rules around social distancing in indoor spaces from this Friday and learning spaces will operate at full capacity for the second half of semester 1 (i.e. after Reading Week). Timetables were issued earlier this week reflecting these changes. It is vitally important that we all exercise personal responsibility, continue to wear face masks and do not come into College if COVID-19 symptomatic. The full set of updates are listed below.  

Campus reopening to the public 

Our campus will reopen to the public this Friday, 22 October. The additional security measures we have become used to at the entrance gates will be removed over the coming weeks. Buildings currently on swipe access only will be restored to pre-pandemic access to allow free circulation of students and staff. Visitors to buildings for college activity will need to be managed to ensure contact tracing is possible and further guidance will be issued when logistics are finalised.

Library 

The Library will remove social distancing and the booking system from 22 October. Work to reinstate around 2,300 seats is starting today, bringing the Library back to full capacity in time for Reading Week and the busy assessment period.

Please note the following exceptions. At the request of the Graduate Students’ Union, the booking system will remain in place in the 1937 Postgraduate Reading Room. The Joint Research Collections Reading Room will also maintain a booking system for the time being, due to preparatory works for the Old Library Redevelopment Project. For more details see the Library’s  Plan your visit section.

Catering outlets 

The Government has decided that existing restrictions on hospitality should stay in place for several months. This means that the Buttery will continue to operate as it has been, i.e. proof of vaccination and photo ID, but tables can now accommodate a maximum of 10 adults. 

Indoor events on campus 

All event proposals still require a full Event Management Plan to be submitted to Trinity Enquiries with sufficient notice but we will be looking to simplify this process in the coming weeks. Other precautions that continue to be required include

• Attendee details retained for contact tracing purposes
• All immune events to have COVID-19 certificates and photographic ID checks
• Mixed immunity events to be laid out in well-spaced Pods of 6. 

Mask up!

Please remember to wear face coverings indoors at all teaching and learning events, in all the Libraries, dedicated research space and in internal public areas on campus. Face coverings must also be worn in shared office spaces when moving around.

Stay safe

Personal responsibility is vital - our collective behaviour makes a difference. It is important that you do not come onto campus if you have any COVID-19 symptoms. Remember to continue to adhere to all protective measures such as wearing face coverings, hand washing, cough etiquette, etc.

We would like to remind students that you will not be disadvantaged for time you miss because you need to restrict your movements, or if you are ill with COVID-19 and need to stay at home.

It’s not too late to be vaccinated on campus today! The HSE pop up vaccination centre in New Square is open until 6pm. This is a walk-in clinic and no appointment is necessary. You are strongly encouraged to get vaccinated. 

Don’t forget that you can participate in the UniCoV project which assists in the detection of increased levels of COVID-19 across higher education institutes. We also encourage you to use Government’s free and easy-to-use COVID Tracker App. 

We would like to thank all of the staff who have been involved in preparing for what College will be like after Reading Week, especially those colleagues working on timetabling and room allocation, it has been a momentous task. 

Finally, please refer to our Return to Campus website FAQs for more information. 

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 Ní Chuinneagáin, An Príomhoifigeach Oibriúcháin Eatramhach