As previously communicated, our continuing priority is the safety and health of our students and staff and it is in this context that we have implemented cautious COVID safety measures on campus for the winter term. These measures will be kept under regular review and you will be informed promptly of any changes.
Take regular tests
We all have a part to play to make sure everybody on campus feels safe and welcome – one of the best ways to do this is through regular testing.
If you are working or studying on campus you are required to take regular quick-results lateral flow tests. Students and staff who are on campus each week will need to access two ‘no symptoms’ lateral flow tests (approximately every three days).
You can access lateral flow testing by:
- Using the University’s on-campus Lateral Flow testing service based at the Chapel, Foresight Centre. The service operates on a walk-in basis, so there is no need to pre-book. Test results are processed on-site and you should receive your result within an hour.
- Collecting home test kits from the Chapel, Foresight Centre, the Guild of Students and Sydney Jones Library. You can also collect kits from your local pharmacy or order via the Government website.
- Using one of the SMART testing facilities in the city.
All of these testing options are free. Please make sure you keep all the text messages and emails you receive from the NHS as a record of testing. We also expect you to download the NHS App and the details of your tests will be recorded in your Covid Pass.
Tests for those with symptoms
If you have any symptoms suggestive of COVID-19, it is vitally important that you get a test and isolate until the result is known. Tests for people with symptoms of COVID-19 (known as PCR tests) can be booked here on campus or via the Government webpages for those not on campus.
Tests for those identified as a ‘close contact’
If you are a fully vaccinated, below the age of 18 or taking part in a vaccine trial you are no longer required to self-isolate if you are identified as a close contact of a positive case. Instead, you are advised to take a PCR test as soon as possible to detect the virus and variants of concern and you must also take extra precautions such as wearing face coverings and limiting contact with others.
You can book a PCR test at our campus test centre, or at local test centres via the government website. These centres can be accessed at the weekend when our campus test centre is closed.
If you are not fully vaccinated you must self-isolate for 10 days from the date of your last contact with the person who has tested positive. If you live in the same household as someone who has tested positive you must self-isolate from the date they first developed symptoms. If you develop symptoms of Covid-19 during your self-isolation you must book a PCR test. If you test positive, your 10-day isolation period will start again from the day you first developed symptoms.
Further information about what to do if you’re identified as a close contact can be found on our COVID Safety webpages.