COVID-19: BCP measures until the end of January

Reduced presence on campus in view of the resurgence of the epidemic:

•    More working from home for scientific staff: in agreement with department directors, heads of unit will organize a reduction in staff numbers on site, with one day of home working per week for all staff that are able to do so;
•    For administrative and support staff eligible to work from home: the rule continues to be 3 days working from home each week (up to 4 days possible; one day a week must be spent on campus); a rotation system will be organized by managers to keep presence within teams to a minimum at all times;
•    In-person meetings and social gatherings are prohibited until further notice;
•    Thesis defenses: the only external attendees allowed are thesis committee members;
•    Strict compliance with hygiene and distancing measures;
•    Particular caution should be exercised when eating.

We would like to begin by wishing you a very happy New Year and all the very best for 2022. We hope that you had an enjoyable time over the festive period.

We are currently witnessing a major resurgence in the COVID-19 epidemic, with a level of infection in Europe and France that has not been seen since March 2020. The situation is particularly alarming in Paris and the Greater Paris region.

Our aim must be to keep the Institut Pasteur running smoothly, which involves limiting presence on campus to approximately 1,400 people each day, as opposed to more than 1,800 people before the festive break. It is crucial that all Institut Pasteur staff commit to working from home if they are able to do so, including those staff working in research units.

In agreement with department directors, we are therefore asking research unit/entity heads to organize a reduction in staff numbers on site, and we are strongly encouraging those staff whose role allows them to do so to work from home for one day a week. This strategy should enable staff involved in wet-lab research activities and early career staff to come to campus as necessary. These stricter home working arrangements also apply to operational and technical support staff for scientific research.

For administrative and support staff who are eligible to work from home: continuation of the system of 3 days of mandatory home working each week (in force since December 6, 2021), with the possibility of working from home for up to 4 days a week. A rotation system for staff should be organized with managers to avoid those working in shared spaces coming onto site at the same time. Please note that all staff must work on site for one day a week.

Home working days must be recorded via the HR portal; any days not covered by a contract addendum should be recorded in the category télétravail en situation exceptionnelle (home working in exceptional circumstances).

Meetings, social gatherings, thesis defenses and appraisals/career development reviews:
-    No in-person meetings are permitted;
-    Social gatherings for New Year or any other special occasions are prohibited until further notice;
-    Only thesis committee members will be allowed to attend thesis defenses in person;
-    We recommend holding appraisals and career development reviews remotely for staff working from home, but they can be conducted on site if circumstances warrant an in-person session.

Finally, we would emphasize the importance of compliance with hygiene and distancing measures:

-    Masks must be worn at all times in all areas, including outdoor areas on campus. As well as standard surgical masks, FFP2 masks will also be available to staff during the month of January, for situations that warrant additional protection (in addition to the FFP2/FFP3 masks already used for work in laboratories/animal facilities). Information about daily mask distribution is available on the Webcampus home page;

-    A distance of at least 1 meter must be maintained between people at all times;

-    Offices must be aired regularly (for 5 to 10 minutes every hour) wherever possible.

We would particularly draw your attention to the need for caution when eating on site:

o     Strict compliance with a distance of 2 meters in the company restaurant (tables must not be moved closer together);

o     Make full use of the opening times of the restaurant, from 11.30am to 2.15pm (there are fewer people after 1.15pm; avoid eating together in large groups);

o     We would encourage you to opt for takeaway meals and not to eat in the restaurant (you may eat in individual offices, dedicated eating areas in the modules under the canteen, the François Jacob atrium, The 25 or the CIS hall).
Depending on how the situation develops on campus and any further government announcements, we may be required to take additional measures.

The BCP/PBRP Committee

Link to the updated information sheet here