Enhanced Covid testing for all students living on and off campus
By: Sean Armstrong
Last updated: Monday, 14 June 2021
Starting today (Monday 14 June) enhanced Covid 19 testing is being made available for all students living on and off campus. The University and the local public health team are acting swiftly to ensure transmission rates are contained and students can travel home safely.
Two mobile testing units will be on campus from today, Monday 14 June to Friday 18 June, allowing students to have a PCR test onsite. Students living off campus are asked to book a PCR test online and have been given instructions on how to order a postal PCR test. All students are asked to take the PCR tests to monitor and identify asymptomatic cases and ensure that students who are positive and others in their households are following self-isolation guidelines.
All students have been sent emails this morning with instructions on how to get tested. This includes students who have already travelled home, but were either on campus from Tuesday 1 June, or had socialised with other students from that date who should also receive a PCR test.
Students have been told they must receive a negative PCR test before travelling home or to a different address.
Students are asked to inform the University of any positive Covid case via the University’s simple to use form. The University can then provide support to students who need to self-isolate with its package of support.
Additional PCR tests will also be supplied to the University’s onsite testing facility in Bramber House (level 1 Dine Central). These tests will be available to University staff, who would like to have enhanced testing. The health and safety measures currently in place on campus should mean that the likelihood of transmission from students to staff is minimal, however the additional tests available are for staff who would value taking a PCR test.
Vice-Chancellor Adam Tickell said: “I know our students will want to play their part and take up this testing and we’re very grateful for the fast work of the local public health team in setting up the mobile testing units. The health and safety of our students, staff and their families remains our priority and we’ll be doing everything we can to support those who do need to self-isolate with a financial package for food, cleaning and laundry.
"We’ll be extending the occupancy of our halls for those on campus so they can stay free of charge as long as they need to isolate. We have a vaccination pop-up centre on campus, from Friday and Saturday this week, with the 750 slots taken up by students within two hours. We are working hand in hand with the local public health teams to establish if additional vaccines can be secured for those on the reserve list. It’s critical everyone continues to follow the guidelines, to support each other and the local community.“
Students living on campus and those living off campus can access information on how to be tested on the Student Hub.
Staff can access information on how to be tested at our onsite facility in Bramber House on the Staff Hub.