Coronavirus (Covid-19): Help & advice, what you need to know
Since the outbreak of Covid-19 (Coronavirus), we’ve been monitoring government advice closely. We are doing our best to minimise any disruption to our services and our key aim is to protect our residents and staff and help control the spread of the illness.
What is coronavirus (Covid-19)?
- Covid-19 is a new illness that is caused by a virus called coronavirus and can affect your lungs and airways.
- The most common symptoms include a dry cough, tiredness and fever, but some patients may also experience a runny nose, sore throat, aches and pains or difficulty breathing.
- For the latest information on coronavirus and its symptoms, visit the NHS website or the Public Health England website by clicking here.
What action have Iconinc taken?
Our sole focus is to help our residents and team protect themselves and others, and to support them in every way we can at this difficult time.
We've been monitoring the national and international situation around coronavirus carefully and have been adhering to the advice of Public Health England and other expert authorities since the start of this outbreak.
We take the wellbeing and safety of our students very seriously. As such, our focus has been on helping students and employees protect themselves and others, and to support them with practical advice and assistance at this difficult time.
We continue to closely monitor the national and international situation and to implement the guidance provided by Public Health England (PHE) as well as other expert authorities. Since the start of the outbreak, we have already undertaken the following:
- A systematic deep clean of all social spaces, in addition to our habitual cleaning programme.
- Temporarily suspended our visitor and guest policy. Although we appreciate that this is not ideal, we believe it is a prudent measure at this time.
- If someone in your property is diagnosed with coronavirus, we’ll relocate anyone that may be vulnerable due to an existing respiratory illness or immune system condition, subject to availability.
- Family visits however will be authorised as long as they respect the social distancing recommendation of the government.
- Food and parcel deliveries will of course still be possible.
- Temporarily suspended student gatherings and events within the property.
- We are adhering to government restrictions in respect to the social distancing recommendations.
- Sauna and steam rooms are closed until further notice.
What do we continue to do?
- Should a case be confirmed, we’ll act quickly and decisively, following the relevant authorities’ specific instructions and advice to the letter.
- If a case is confirmed, we’ll also organise a professional deep clean of any areas that the affected customer may have come into contact with, as directed by the relevant authorities.
- If someone in your property is diagnosed with coronavirus, we’ll relocate anyone that may be vulnerable due to an existing respiratory illness or immune system condition, subject to availability.
- We will continue to work closely with our university partners to ensure our response to the situation is fully aligned and coordinated and that our students receive the very best help.
- We want to ensure that everyone has the practical advice and assistance they need to do what’s right, but also that they feel fully supported by the people around them.
- While they can’t give medical advice, our team are undergoing relevant certified training to support the wellbeing of our residents.
- Please be aware that, as our teams work hard on this, there may be a delay in, or reduction to, the other services we are able to provide. We thank you for your understanding and patience at this time and will of course notify all residents accordingly.
What action should you be taking?
In line with advice from the NHS and Public Health England, we’d encourage you to do the following:
- Wash your hands regularly using soap and hot water for at least 20 seconds, especially after sneezing or blowing your nose.
- Always wash your hands when you get home or into work. Try to avoid contact with anyone that may be ill.
- Use hand sanitiser gel if you don’t have access to soap and water.
- Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue or sleeve when you cough or sneeze and wash your hands afterward.
- Put any used tissues in the bin immediately after using them.
- Try not to touch your eyes, nose and mouth with unwashed hands.
- Do not share items that come into contact with your mouth.
- Avoid public transport or social gatherings.
- You can find Government guidance on cleaning your home to minimise the risk of infection here.
- You can find advice on what to do if you live with someone who may have the virus here .
What should I do if I think I have coronavirus and have to self-isolate?
- NHS advice says that if you have either a high temperature or a new, continuous cough, you should self-isolate for seven days.
- You do not need to contact 111 and should not visit a GP surgery, hospital or pharmacy.
- If you are experiencing symptoms of Coronavirus please follow NHS guidance on self-isolation by
clicking here or the Government website by
clicking here.
If you are self-isolating, please follow the below advice in line with Public Health England's recommendations:
- Stay in your room/apartment unless told otherwise by health authorities.
- If your symptoms get worse, you can't cope with them, or they don't get better in seven days, use the 111 online coronavirus service.
- If you can't get help online, call 111 or, in an emergency, call 999.
- Do not go into work or public areas, and don’t use public transport or taxis until you’re told it’s safe to do so.
- If you have someone bringing supplies or have ordered shopping online, make sure the items are left outside of your room/apartment or at reception.
- Stay away from friends and other residents.
- If you have a facemask you should wear it when you may come into contact with other people.
- Make sure all of your rubbish is disposed of properly by tying it up in two plastic bin bags.
We would also advise the following:
- Please notify a member of the Iconinc team.
- Keep in regular contact with friends and family by phone.
- In the event of a fire alarm, please evacuate the building as you would normally, but where possible, keep at least six feet away from other people.
- You should also continue to follow the advice given above under the subheading ‘What action should I be taking’.
What if I’ve recently got back from holiday?
- If you are returning from areas of high risk of Coronavirus including China and Northern Italy we would ask that you self-isolate for a period of 7 days, following the procedures explained under the subheading, ‘what should I do if I think I have coronavirus and have to self-isolate?’
- If you are returning from areas of low risk we would only ask you to self-isolate if you develop a high temperature or a new, continuous cough, as explained above under the subheading, ‘what should I do if I think I have coronavirus and have to self-isolate?’
What about my next rental payment?
- We don’t want any of our students to suffer additional stress from this crisis.
- However, rent levels agreed in your tenancy agreement remain legally due and tenants should continue to pay rent and abide by all other terms of their tenancy agreement to the best of their ability. The government has a strong package of financial support available to tenants, and where they can pay the rent as normal, they should do.
- In many if not most cases, the Covid-19 outbreak will not affect tenants’ ability to pay rent. If you have a further query in relation to paying your rent, you should get in touch with us at the earliest opportunity by emailing enquiries@iconinc.co.uk.
- The Money Advice Service has information here relating to Covid-19 and your finances.
Can I end my tenancy early?
- If you’re living with us and would like to end your tenancy early, our standard cancellation policy applies:
‘’On an Assured Shorthold Tenancy Agreement,
you're legally bound until the end of your tenancy period. We can however consider ending your tenancy if you have a replacement. This individual will need
to meet all of our criteria and be able to provide full guarantor details prior to the process being complete. There is an admin fee of £50 chargeable to the outgoing tenant.
If you need any further information on this process please contact a member of the lettings team.’’
Can I cancel my future booking?
- If you wish to cancel outside of the 15-day cooling off period, our standard cancellation policy applies (see above or click here to see our full FAQs).
- Please email enquiries@iconinc.co.uk to speak to one of our friendly team members.
- If you're an international student and have any concerns or queries about visa restrictions or government enforced travel restrictions for the 2020/2021 academic year, please contact enquiries@iconinc.co.uk.
Where can I find more information?
-
For more information about coronavirus, its symptoms, how to avoid catching it and what to do if you do have it, please visit the Public Health England website by clicking here.
-
To speak to one of the iconinc team about any queries please email enquiries@iconinc.co.uk
