The DfE update amounts to mandating the use of face coverings in all communal indoor environments, a requirement that the university introduced in November. We are writing to remind you of this and the full range of campus safety measures which apply to our university community as we head towards the new term.

Please do not forget to take a Covid-19 test before you travel back to university and, once back on campus, please continue to test at least weekly, using the university’s Asymptomatic Testing Service.

Teaching

Guidance published by the Department for Education states that in-person teaching and student support services should continue. The university’s plans to commence full in-person teaching in January remain unchanged, and we look forward to seeing you in your teaching sessions. We will keep our plans under review and update you as soon as possible after the point the government reviews the national ‘Plan B’ restrictions, currently expected to be Wednesday 26 January.

Exams

Plans for assessments remain unchanged. Your exam timetable will have date, time and location information for your online and in-person assessment – please note you must wear a face covering to all in-person exams. There have been some changes to the way online assessments are accessed and administered. Make sure you familiarise yourself with the changes to ensure you are prepared and do read our pre-exam checklist to make sure you are ready for both in-person and online assessments.

Visit our exams support landing page for a wide range of information and support on assessments including webinars and in-person sessions on studying effectively, accessing resources, and revision, as well as access to personal support, including counselling and support for those with specific learning difficulties.

Face coverings

Face coverings are to be worn in all indoor spaces, unless exempt, and this includes: corridors and communal spaces; teaching settings, including lecture halls, seminar rooms, laboratories and workshops; libraries and shared offices. Face coverings have been mandatory on campus since November last year, and posters encouraging staff, students and visitors to wear them remain valid.

Visit the government website for more information on face coverings, including a full list of places where they must be worn.

Covid testing and vaccinations

To keep our community safe, please test for Covid-19 before returning to campus. If you are eligible for a vaccination or a booster, please take that up as soon as you are called to by the NHS.

Once back on campus, you should continue to test at least weekly, using the university’s Asymptomatic Testing Service which has now reopened for the new year. The test is quick, simple and identifies infection at the earliest possible stage so that you can avoid transmitting illness to others. The service is unaffected by the national supply problems currently affecting the availability of LFT devices and PCR testing.

If you do develop symptoms or test positive, please complete our reporting form. This information is essential to help us track infections and manage potential outbreaks.

Students travelling to the UK

Students travelling to the UK will need to check and comply with border measures that have been introduced to help prevent transmission of Covid-19 on their arrival on campus.

For more detail on requirements for students travelling to the UK, please refer to the government travel advice and quarantine information. Make sure you check restrictions again before travel to ensure you have the latest requirements.

NHS Covid Pass

Larger-scale entertainment venues and events with a capacity of 500 or more are now required by law to check that all visitors aged 18 or over are fully vaccinated, have proof of a negative Covid test within the last 48 hours, or are exempt.

This does not apply to smaller-scale settings such as pubs, bars or restaurants and as such will not apply to on-campus venues. However, face coverings remain mandatory in all indoor spaces, and weekly Covid testing and vaccination is strongly encouraged.

Visit the government website for more details on where Covid Passes are required, and how to access yours.

Please continue to follow our on-campus guidelines and act cautiously and considerately to help us keep our campus and community as safe as possible. Rising case numbers are to be expected as our data reflects national trends. However, we are confident that the measures we have in place on campus will help to keep transmission as low as possible.

We will, of course, continue to monitor the situation and keep our policies under review. We will update you with any changes or updates to national or local guidance over the coming weeks.