Stories & News

Update 1 July: Library and International Travel access policies

July 1, 2020

International travel policy

As the Greek and UK governments continue to update their policies on international travel, the BSA has updated the procedures it has put in place to protect staff and members within its close-contact community. The following policy is effective from Monday 6th July and is due for review on/before Wednesday 15th July.

  • The Greek government has prohibited direct flights between the UK (and Sweden) and Greece at least until 15 July 2020. This decision reflects a judgement that the epidemiological situation in the UK is less favourable than that in other European countries. In the light of this distinction, and in an abundance of caution, the BSA distinguishes between those arriving from the UK (or Sweden) and those arriving from other European countries. This distinction is reflected in the procedures outlined below. The Director or Assistant Director are very happy to clarify any of these measures.
  • Members, readers or visiting researchers arriving from Europe outside Greece – by direct flight, transfer, sea travel, or car – are requested not to come to the BSA premises EITHER until a confirmed negative Covid-19 test result has been received (normally within 24 hours) OR until 48 hours have passed from their arrival into Greece (to allow for any contact-tracing to take place). Members, readers or visiting researchers must show a dated flight ticket, passport stamp, or details of a negative test to the Librarians or Secretary on first arrival at the BSA.
  • Members, readers or visiting researchers arriving indirectly from the UK (or Sweden) are, we understand, likely to receive a Covid-19 test upon arrival, in which case they are requested to await a confirmed negative result (normally within 24 hours) before coming to the BSA premises. However, should someone travelling from the UK not receive a Covid-19 test upon arrival, in an abundance of caution in order to protect our close-contact community, the BSA requires them not to enter the BSA premises until 7 days have passed. Members, readers or visiting researchers must show a dated flight ticket, passport stamp, or details of a negative test to the Librarians or Secretary on first arrival at the BSA.
  • The above also applies to BSA staff members returning from abroad, either for work or for personal reasons.
  • Members arriving from Europe outside Greece can book Hostel accommodation with the Secretary. Upon arrival, residents will be accommodated in the en-suite Visiting Fellow flat (with private fridge) but must not use any communal facilities of the BSA EITHER until 48 hours have passed from their arrival into Greece OR (if tested for Covid-19 on arrival) until a negative test result has been received. Once this period of precautionary isolation has been completed, the resident will be moved to a different room, and the flat will be cleaned thoroughly for the next arrival.

For all other eventualities, please contact either the Director or the Assistant Director.

  • When on BSA premises, all safety procedures relating to hand sanitisation, mask wearing, and physical distancing must be followed. These protocols are clearly advertised on posters throughout the premises: prior to arrival all details of BSA risk assessments will be sent by e-mail.

Library access

As part of the phased reopening of BSA facilities, we are pleased to announce the following changes to Library access effective from Monday 6th July.
• Members will have 24 hour access to the Library between Monday 9am and Friday 7pm.
• Outside these times the Library will remain locked, and Members must not be on the BSA premises.
• Entrance continues to be possible only through the upper library door. Members should speak with the Librarian to get a key for this door. A cash deposit will be required upon receiving this key.
• The Hostel area remains out of bounds to Members. Meetings with office staff can be arranged by appointment during office hours.
Numbers of users will be restricted to a maximum of 34 to ensure adequate physical distancing and seating has been adjusted accordingly.  Users are required to bring their own mask, which must be worn when interacting with others.  A distance between people of at least 1.5m must be maintained at all times.
Please contact the library personnel for more details regarding safety measures.

Membership

The BSA has decided to waive membership fees for the period 13 March – 13 July 2020. For any members who had already paid membership fees by mid-March, four months of free membership (or the appropriate proportion thereof) will be added to their existing membership. Members who pay an annual fee will next be due to pay their membership fees from 1 January 2021.
The BSA is now accepting new members at the standard rates advertised on our website. To arrange membership, please contact Vicki Tzavara on admin@bsa.ac.uk.