SUT – COVID-19 Statement

SUT & COVID-19, Update 27th March 2020 

COVID-19 Weekly Update

SUT staff, volunteers and branches are asked to follow their national & local government guidelines in response to the ongoing coronavirus outbreak across the world.  In the UK that means home-working for staff, and postponement or cancellation of events and face-to-face training courses until we have received the all-clear to resume normal activities.  Similar restrictions are in place across the global SUT network.  We are developing new online resources that will be rolled out in the coming days & weeks, and remain active via our social media feeds too.  Stay safe, self-isolate where appropriate and we’ll look forward to seeing you all again soon.

SUT & COVID-19, Update 17th March 2020 

COVID-19 is now active in several of the countries where SUT conducts events, holds training courses and has meetings for members. We have advised our committees and special interest groups to meet online rather than in person, and in the UK, for example, most events have been postponed or will be held online. We will quickly develop virtual events such as online seminars and lectures so that our work of transferring knowledge to our members and the public can continue during the coronavirus outbreak. 

We will continue to review our activities to take account of the developing situation. In the UK most staff are working from home and can be contacted by their usual email address and mobile numbers. Branches should similarly review their activities to take into account the level of risk advised by local authorities & health professionals. 

Where delegates are attending any SUT activities that are still ‘in person’ and are traveling from areas with active COV-19 outbreaks, local organisers will ask for documentation stating that the delegate has been isolated from sources of infection before the agreement can be given for them to attend the course/event in person.

Please check the SUT news page on a regular basis for updates. 

Steve Hall, CEO SUT 

SUT policy as of 5th March 2020:

In view of the current Coronavirus outbreak, and taking note of the UK Government’s present level of advice, SUT events, training courses and conferences will be reviewed on a constant basis by the CEO & staff to take account of the developing situation. Branches should similarly review their activities to take into account the level of risk advised by the authorities & health professionals.

Staff, SUT Members & delegates will not be expected to place themselves at any risk of exposure to infection over that incurred by the public at large in day-to-day activities, and if HM Government requests that citizens self-isolate, and avoid public gatherings, we will comply and either postpone such events or seek to provide them in an online manner where appropriate. 

Where delegates are attending SUT events, conferences and courses & traveling from areas with active COV-19 outbreaks, e.g. Northern Italy, China, South Korea & Iran at present, we will ask for documentation stating that the delegate has been isolated from sources of infection before an agreement can be given for them to attend the course/event in person.

This advice will be reviewed and updated as the outbreak develops.

Steve Hall, CEO SUT