¹û¶³Ó°Ôº

Please read this message carefully as it includes important information about what these changes mean for you.ÌýÌý

The situation isÌýevolvingÌýand public health guidance can change at short notice.ÌýWe willÌýshare any further updatesÌýwith youÌýas soon as possible, and pleaseÌýcheck theÌýÌý²¹²Ô»åÌý, as well as ¹û¶³Ó°Ôºâ€™sÌýcoronavirus information hub,Ìýfor the latest information, especially if you areÌýplanning to travel over the winter break.ÌýÌýÌý

New Government guidanceÌýÌý

TheÌý±«°­Ìý³Ò´Ç±¹±ð°ù²Ô³¾±ð²Ô³Ù has announced severalÌýÌýinÌýEngland inÌýresponse to the emergence of the Omicron variant, including:ÌýÌý

• From Friday 10 December, face coverings will beÌýrequired by lawÌýinÌýmostÌýindoor public places.ÌýFace coverings are alreadyÌýrequiredÌýin shops and on public transport.Ìý

• From Wednesday 15 December, peopleÌýover 18Ìýwill need aÌýdigitalÌýNHS COVID Pass,ÌýrecognisedÌýinternational proof of vaccination,ÌýorÌýproof of aÌýnegativeÌýLateral Flow Test (LFT)Ìýin the lastÌý48ÌýhoursÌýto gain entry toÌýmany largeÌývenues.Ìý

• The Government has announced its intention to replace self-isolation with daily testing for some contacts of people who have tested positive for COVID-19. Further details will be set out soon. Until then,Ìýby lawÌýyou must self-isolate ifÌýtoldÌýto do so by NHS Test and Trace.ÌýThis includes anyone identified as a close contact of a suspected or confirmed case of the Omicron COVID-19 variant, irrespective of vaccination status and age.Ìý

These measuresÌýare in addition toÌýtheÌýGovernment’sÌý, includingÌýnewÌýPolymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) test requirements.ÌýÌý

Keeping safe on campusÌýÌý

Our campusÌýisÌýopenÌýand face-to-face teaching and researchÌýwill continue.ÌýYou can still access facilities and services on campus, including ¹û¶³Ó°Ôº Libraries and Support & Wellbeing.ÌýYouÌýmust notÌýcomeÌýto campus if you are unwell or have been asked to self-isolate.Ìý

Please remember:Ìý

• Ìýor boostedÌýagainst COVID-19 if you can.ÌýThe is currently accepting walk-in appointments.ÌýÌý

• Face coverings are mandatoryÌýwhile indoorsÌýon campus, unless you are exempt.Ìý

• Get tested with aÌýfreeÌýÌýif you think you may have COVID-19Ìýand report your test results to ¹û¶³Ó°Ôº Connect to Protect.Ìý

• Get testedÌýat leastÌýtwice a weekÌýwith aÌýfreeÌýLateral Flow Test (LFT),Ìý²¹²Ô»åÌýbeforeÌýmixing with people in crowded indoor places,Ìýeven if you don’t haveÌýCOVID-19Ìýsymptoms. PleaseÌýreport your test results toÌýthe ²¹²Ô»åÌý¹û¶³Ó°Ôº Connect to Protect.Ìý

Find out more about the measures ¹û¶³Ó°Ôº has put in place and what you can do to helpÌýkeep everyone safe on campus.Ìý

Proof of vaccinationÌýstatusÌý

If you have been vaccinated in England, Wales or the Isle of Man, you canÌýget a freeÌýÌýto prove your vaccination status.ÌýÌý

If you haveÌýreceived a vaccine in another country that has been approved inÌýEngland, you canÌýprove your status with theÌý.ÌýÌý

If you have received a vaccineÌýin another countryÌýthatÌýhas not been approved inÌýEngland, you will not be considered fully vaccinated. However, you can show proof of a negativeÌýLateral Flow Test (LFT)Ìýin place of a COVID pass.ÌýÌý

Making travel plansÌýÌý

The international situation remains uncertain ²¹²Ô»åÌýofficialÌýtravelÌýguidance may change at short notice.ÌýSomeÌýcountries may introduce more restrictions, close their borders or advise their citizens not to travel.ÌýÌý

Please think carefully before you makeÌýany travelÌýplans, and follow the latest guidance from theÌý, your destination and any countries you will be travelling through, including the legal requirements for getting tested for COVID-19. â¶Ä¯Ìý

Before you travel, please: Ìý

• ³Ò±ð³Ù or boostedÌýfor COVID-19 if youÌýcan. ÌýThe is currently accepting walk-in appointments.Ìý

• Download the free . â¶Ä¯â¶Ä¯Ìý

• Get tested for COVID-19, even if you don’t have symptoms. You may need to pay for a ‘fit-to-fly’ test ²¹²Ô»åÌýdiscounts are available. Otherwise, you can take aÌýfreeÌýLateral Flow Test (LFT) on campus or order them for delivery to your address.  You should also get tested before you return to London.Ìý

• Check the UK Government’sÌý. â¶Ä¯Ìý

Further information and support  Ìý

You can find out more about what ¹û¶³Ó°Ôº is doing to keep everyone safe on campus onÌýourÌýcoronavirus information hub.ÌýÌý

In line with UK Government guidance, we intend for campus to be fully open for face-to-face teachingÌýfor the rest of Term 1 and in January forÌýthe start of Term 2.ÌýWe willÌýkeep this under review ²¹²Ô»åÌýupdate youÌýagainÌýshould Government guidance change.Ìý

If you would like to talk to someone in confidenceÌýabout yourÌýsituationÌýor howÌýthe pandemic is affecting you, please get in touchÌýwithÌý¹û¶³Ó°Ôºâ€™s Student Support and Wellbeing teamÌý

With best wishes,ÌýÌý
Professor Deborah GillÌýÌý
Vice-Provost (EducationÌý&ÌýStudent Experience)