Earlier this week the Prime Minister outlined plans to lift all remaining Covid restrictions in England under a ‘Living with Covid’ plan. The legal requirements to self-isolate following a positive test result or take tests for 7 days if you are identified as a close contact of someone with a positive test have now been removed. Routine contact tracing has also ended. Following this, from 1 April access to free community Covid testing will end for the vast majority.
The University understands that for many, this is a moment that we have looked forward to and we also appreciate that some students may be concerned about the relaxation of measures and feeling apprehensive about coming onto campus. In considering what this latest update means for us, the safety of our University community remains the ongoing priority. The University has outlined below the measures and guidance we are retaining on campus for the time being and ask that students please take a moment to familiarise themselves with these.
Throughout the pandemic we have also emphasised that each and every one of us has a responsibility to keep ourselves and those around us safe whilst we are on campus, and that remains just as true today. Indeed, it is more important than ever that we continue supporting each other and respect that others may adjust at different speeds and have different views to our own. By taking personal responsibility for our health and actions, such as wearing a face covering when in crowded areas and staying at home when ill, we can all help reassure the most vulnerable in our community.
Guidance and measures remaining in place on campus
Students should continue to follow this guidance until further notice:
- Self-isolation and symptomatic (PCR) testing: Although the legal requirement to self-isolate after testing positive has ended we expect our community to continue to act mindfully before coming onto campus. If you develop Covid-19 symptoms, just like when you have the flu, you should stay at home to avoid spreading any infection on to others. Our PCR test centre will remain accessible on campus (on Peach Street Car Park) for you to access a test if you have any symptoms of Covid-19. If your test result is negative you can then return to campus.
If you do test positive, for the time-being we are following public health guidance and ask that you do not come onto campus for 5 days, and should only return after receiving two negative Lateral Flow tests (taken 24 hours apart on the mornings of day 5 and 6).
- Face coverings: We understand the wearing of face coverings is becoming more of a personal choice, however, we strongly recommend that you continue to wear one when inside University buildings, especially when in crowded areas and with people you don’t usually meet with. We also remind you to respect any requests to wear a face covering (unless exempt) when being taught in person by a staff member at high risk from Covid-19.
- Testing: We encourage students and staff to continue following the latest national guidance on testing, if they wish to do so, and advise that you use any Lateral Flow test kits you already have, or order direct from the Government website (until 31 March). We will also continue to offer on-site PCR testing for the remainder of this academic year to support those with symptoms make an informed decision before coming onto campus.
While testing remains in place on campus, we’d also like you to keep letting us know if you test positive for Covid-19, to help inform us of any outbreaks within our community.
- Vaccinations: If you haven’t yet had your Covid-19 vaccination or booster jab, please make this a priority. You can book these directly via the NHS website.
Support for those at high risk from Covid-19
The University understands that some of you may feel nervous about coming onto campus with these relaxation of measures, especially those who are at high risk from Covid-19. If you have any concerns please contact your School in the first instance. You can also contact our Student Services team, or take a look at our wellbeing resources.
We understand that it will take time for some students to feel confident and comfortable with these latest changes, and the University will continue to monitor the situation closely and communicate with all students about any new developments or recommendations. The University is determined to continue to do all it can to offer an environment where we all feel safe and supported to study, live and work and foster a University community who continue to look out for one another during this next stage of the pandemic.