Exclusive: London’s Guildhall is shut by Coronavirus

The Guildhall School of Music and Drama is the first to be shut down as a result of a Coronavirus carrier. The following email went out at 17.02 from the principal:

Dear colleagues and students,

We regret to inform you that a member of teaching staff has tested positive for Coronavirus. He is currently recovering well at the Royal Free Hospital. He was present and teaching in one of the ancillary School buildings on one day last week. He came into contact with a limited number of students and we are working closely with those students to ensure that they receive urgent appropriate advice.

As a precautionary measure, the School will be closed for up to fourteen days from today (Monday 2 March), to allow time for a review of the situation and for appropriate measures to be taken. In line with current Government advice, we are advising any staff and students who exhibit any symptoms during the 14 day period to use the Coronavirus online helpline (www.111.nhs.uk/covid-19 ) and to notify their line manager or their department head. Whilst I understand this will cause anxiety amongst the School community, all necessary steps are being taken to minimise risk to others.

All meetings, performances, workshops, masterclasses and any other on-site School engagements in the next fourteen days should be cancelled. Staff are encouraged to work remotely during this period and if they are in any doubt of how to do so should contact their Line Manager.

All staff and students will be contacted on a regular and frequent basis via email to update them on all necessary arrangements.

Lynne Williams

Principal

UPDATE: Guildhall School has confirmed that a member of its teaching staff has tested positive for Covid-19. The school has been given PHE advice. The staff and principal are working closely with students to ensure that they receive urgent appropriate advice.