Staff at Imperial College London whose experts helped government response to coronavirus say their health is at risk as bosses re-open communal areas

  • The university’s modelling has been influential in government decision-making
  • Employees claim it has been ‘impossible’ to ensure students still remain 2m apart
  • Imperial says social distancing rules clearly displayed on entrance to such areas

By Tom Pyman For Mailonline

Published: 11:18 BST, 10 April 2020 | Updated: 11:18 BST, 10 April 2020

Staff at a university which has worked closely with the government to investigate the dangers of coronavirus say their health is being put at risk after it re-opened some of its communal areas.

Analysis by experts at Imperial College London was a crucial factor in Boris Johnson’s decision to enforce a nationwide lockdown last month.

However, employees on its own campuses are now complaining about the university’s handling of the crisis, according to BBC Radio 4’s Today programme.

Communal areas at Imperial College London's halls of residence in Battersea, south London, pictured, have been re-opened

Communal areas at Imperial College London’s halls of residence in Battersea, south London, pictured, have been re-opened

The university's popular meeting points at accommodation in Wood Lane, White City, west London, pictured, have also been re-opened

The university's popular meeting points at accommodation in Wood Lane, White City, west London, pictured, have also been re-opened

The university’s popular meeting points at accommodation in Wood Lane, White City, west London, pictured, have also been re-opened

Imperial offers facilities including a lounge area with TV screens, table tennis and snooker tables and a private courtyard as part of its accommodation packages at its halls of residence.

Like many others across the country, it closed communal areas at its sites in Battersea, south London, and White City, west London, after the Prime Minister announced the need for greater social distancing.

Research and modelling carried out by public health experts at the university have been credited as being hugely influential in the government’s decision to impose such measures. 

However, bosses last week ordered its buildings management company to re-open communal spaces. 

Staff working at the sites in White City and Battersea, pictured, say the decision is putting their health at risk

Staff working at the sites in White City and Battersea, pictured, say the decision is putting their health at risk

Staff working at the sites in White City and Battersea, pictured, say the decision is putting their health at risk

The university's apartment blocks, pictured, can cater for more than 1,100 students when full

The university's apartment blocks, pictured, can cater for more than 1,100 students when full

The university’s apartment blocks, pictured, can cater for more than 1,100 students when full

Imperial College London, pictured, said the rules on social distancing have been clearly displayed on the way in to all communal areas and that students have been reminded of the importance of following them

Imperial College London, pictured, said the rules on social distancing have been clearly displayed on the way in to all communal areas and that students have been reminded of the importance of following them

Imperial College London, pictured, said the rules on social distancing have been clearly displayed on the way in to all communal areas and that students have been reminded of the importance of following them

The apartment blocks can cater for more than 1,100 students when full and some workers now fear they will catch Covid-19 as a result of the decision to re-open.

They added it has sometimes been ‘impossible’ to ensure that students stay the government-advised distance of two metres apart at all times.

The university told the BBC in a statement that the rules on social distancing have been clearly displayed on the way in to all communal areas and that students have been reminded of the importance of following them.

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