PICTURES reveal how the University of Bolton is preparing to reopen in the wake of the coronavirus pandemic this September.

Aiport-style walk through temperature scanners will be installed at every university building entrance and classrooms will be transformed to meet strict social distancing rules.

Professor George E Holmes DL, President and Vice Chancellor of the University of Bolton, said: “This is about providing value for money for our students who we know want to experience life on campus as well as learning online.

“I am delighted with the progress we are making to provide a COVID Secure working and learning environment for students and staff.

“Students will have access to a fully operational University campus and be able to study and engage in person with other students and staff.”

The Bolton News:

Measures in place include

• Eight sophisticated airport style walk through temperature scanners which will be stationed at every building entry.

• Providing 1,000 bicycles which will be available for loan by students, enabling them to avoid crowded public transport.

• Classrooms transformed to accommodate the social distancing guidelines with two metre spacing between desks.

• Signs detailing the carefully managed walking routes around the buildings, including one-way navigation.

• Screens on tables at the cafe, which are also spaced out to fulfil the Government’s social distancing requirements.

The Bolton News:

Prof Holmes added: “I am determined that the University of Bolton is ahead of the game in transforming its campus to create a place where our students feel safe and happy and can make the most of their experience of Higher Education.

“The University student experience is not just about learning. Students want to see their friends in person, they want to engage with their tutors.

“Under our plans we can ensure they will be able to do this safely in September.”

Other measures being implemented include

• Providing regular socially distanced face-to-face tutorials, laboratory experience, access to arts studios and specialist facilities, etc.

• Implementing an effective scheduling system, limiting significantly the number of students on campus at any one time to keep everyone secure.

• Dividing sessions for access on campus into set times per day, for example, possibly between 8am-2pm and 2pm-8pm.

• Providing and making the wearing of face coverings on campus compulsory for the foreseeable future to safeguard everyone’s safety.

• Carefully managed walking routes including one-way navigation.

• Multiple ‘learning zones’ being created across the campus, by identifying and transforming large spaces into areas featuring tables with plastic dividing screens to allow communication between people facing one another.

• Instigating a rigorous cleansing programme throughout all University buildings.