Coronavirus: Joint statement from Coventry University and the University of Warwick VCs

The health, welfare and safety of students and staff is always the top priority for universities.

Both Coventry University and the University of Warwick are supporting all students and staff who might be concerned about their health in light of the coronavirus outbreak by providing up-to-date advice from Public Health England (PHE). The latest advice from PHE is that the risk to the UK public is low.

We are seeking to support staff and students who might be affected directly or indirectly by coronavirus and recognise that many will be worried about friends and family members who are in China.

We ask that students and staff across our international higher education community continue to treat their fellow friends and colleagues with respect.

Both our universities have a long history of welcoming Chinese students and staff to the UK. They are a core and coherent part of our international community. We have been very saddened to hear reports from other parts of UK of events that have led to Chinese people becoming the target of racist abuse. We do not tolerate racism in any form. There have been no reported incidents on our campuses and hope this will continue given our shared history of welcoming people from across the world.

Both our universities have measures in place for students and staff to report incidents of racial harassment or abuse and we encourage anyone who encounters such incidents to seek support from their university and to contact the police.

Both universities are supporting charitable giving to support the response.

Prof. John Latham CBE and Prof. Stuart Croft