The Department for Education has now published its guidance for universities following the government announcement on the lifting of Covid-19 restrictions from Monday 19 July. We have carefully considered this, alongside the risk assessments and safety measures we have introduced during the past 15 months, to ensure that our campuses continue to be as safe as possible for everyone.

A summary of the actions we are taking in response to the Department for Education’s guidance can be found below, however, please take time to read and understand the more detailed information posted on our webpage. Please be respectful and considerate of both our university and city communities, understanding some people will feel more comfortable with the lifting of restrictions than others and that health vulnerabilities remain.

• Vaccines – the university actively supports the roll out of Covid-19 vaccines and strongly encourages you to be fully immunised, wherever possible receiving both doses before returning to the university for the autumn term. I am pleased to confirm that more than 60% of current students have already received their first dose of the vaccine.
• Test, trace and isolation - you are required to test for Covid-19 prior to your return to Nottingham, on arrival through the University’s Asymptomatic Service and at least weekly thereafter. If you experience symptoms of Covid-19, please do not come on to campus - you should isolate immediately, book an NHS test and notify the university so that we can support you. From Monday 16 August contacts of those who test positive no longer need to isolate if they are fully vaccinated.
• Social distancing and face coverings - in line with government guidelines social distancing measures are no longer mandatory, however the government expects and recommends that you wear face coverings in crowded and enclosed spaces. Please remember to be respectful of others’ choices and do give people space where it is sensible or requested.
• Covid-19 personal safety measures – please continue to observe rigorous hygiene practices, particularly regular handwashing.
• Teaching and learning – wherever possible we will teach your classes, seminars, labs and tutorials in-person alongside the full resumption of student societies, activities and sport. In line with most universities, large-group teaching will continue through a blended approach in Semester 1 and our intention is to resume in-person in Semester 2, subject to the course of the pandemic. There will also be an extended two-week welcome period to help you re-acclimatise to living and studying on campus.
• Sports and social events - the government has lifted all remaining restrictions on the numbers of people competing in or attending sporting or social events, so you will be able to enjoy the full range of sports facilities, teams and events.
• International students - there are new rules, listed on the webpage, governing testing and quarantine for students coming into the UK. Students coming from red list countries must book quarantine facilities before attempting to travel. Please familiarise yourself with these and get in touch with any queries you may have.

It is vital to understand that the government’s lifting of national restrictions does not mean that the risks from Covid-19 have disappeared. It simply marks a new phase in the government’s response to the pandemic where we are all urged to manage risks to ourselves and to others.

We look forward to welcoming you back to Nottingham this autumn and to ensuring that you enjoy exceptional teaching, social activity and campus life. At the same time, we would ask you to continue to take the simple precautions to protect yourself from Covid-19 and be respectful of those who teach, support and study with you at Nottingham.