The pilot, which was taking place in Cripps and Lincoln halls, has been paused upon advice from Government and Public Health colleagues.

The study enabled students to mix with all residents while still wearing face masks and adhering to 2-metre social distancing in communal spaces and when interacting with staff. In exchange, students took two tests per week using the university’s in-house Asymptomatic Testing Service. It was hoped that this would help inform future planning around increasing testing participation in university settings.

The change comes following regional concerns about the variant of concern which originated in India. Due to resources required to assist with potential surge testing in the city, the test and trace element of the Pilot can no longer be supported. This would mean whole halls would have to isolate if a positive case were to be identified.

The variant of concern is highly transmissible and we need to ensure we are all doing everything we can to stop it spreading within our community. As of midday on Friday 21 May the halls will revert to the same restrictions as the rest of the university. 

Although the Pilot has not be completed it has shown that greater social interactions are possible if there is a collective willingness to test and adhere to other Covid safety measures. There were no positive cases identified through the pilot.

All staff and students are encouraged to take part in asymptomatic Covid-19 test at least weekly.