HUNDREDS of staff at Queen's University Belfast are to be placed on furlough.
The university closed its campus in March due to the coronavirus outbreak.
Since then, staff have continued working and several Queen's researchers have been involved in Covid-19-related projects.
These include work on a treatment for the virus, the development of a rapid diagnostic test and a study into how the pandemic is affecting people's mental health.
In addition, Queen's final year medical and social work students finished their degrees early to join frontline health staff.
The university employs more than 4,000 staff. Up to 200 who work in areas of activity that currently cannot be delivered will be placed on furlough.
It said some of its services had been reduced or temporarily suspended due to the Covid-19 outbreak and lockdown measures.
"Queen's University has adapted its operations to continue to deliver education, research and key services during the pandemic in a way that protects the safety and wellbeing of staff and students," it said.
"However, some services cannot be provided in accordance with the current social distancing measures.
"Therefore, the university has decided to access the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme and temporarily furlough staff who are responsible for these services and meet the criteria of the scheme. This will only apply to a limited number of staff in a small number of areas."
All the furloughed staff will continue to receive their normal monthly salary.
