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Dear students, 

Following my message last night, I wanted to share with you the latest advice we have received from the government and confirm the information we are using as the basis for plans for the start of term. 

On 30 December we received a message from Michelle Donelan, Universities Minister, setting out the requirement to minimise the number of students travelling in January to reduce the transmission of coronavirus, as cases rise across parts of England. In that communication, she said that from 4 January until at least w/c 25 January teaching would need to be restricted to students reading subjects including medicine and subjects allied to health, with the detailed list covering physician associates. 

During a call I joined yesterday morning, I learnt that osteopathy would be added to the list, but that it would otherwise stand. However, last night we received a message from Minister Donelan to share with you which includes as an appendix a more extensive list of courses permitted to have on-site teaching from 4 January, although misses off physician associates. The longer list is confusing and I have sought clarification but, understandably, have not received a response on a bank holiday. 

Mindful that you need clarity about the start of term as soon as possible, we have decided to follow the guidance sent initially and that was reinforced verbally by the Minister yesterday. We therefore continue with the plans agreed by our Covid-19 Steering Group, which followed on from the ministerial briefing, set out below. 

Start of term arrangements 

The majority of our undergraduate programmes will commence as planned and as communicated to you in December, with the exception of: 

  • Biomedical Science (**) 

  • Clinical Pharmacology 

For these undergraduate programmes, some face-to-face teaching will need to be postponed and most students will not be required to attend sessions on site until at least 25 January. Your course teams will be in touch directly regarding revised arrangements. This will be reviewed on 18 January when we anticipate receiving further guidance from the government.  

** BMS final year Clinical Bioscience pathway BSc students and those undertaking wet lab research projects (BSc and MSci) can return as planned next week. ** 

Postgraduate Taught programmes involving clinical placements (e.g. Physician Associate, Physiotherapy) can continue as planned. MRes students can work on site if they are undertaking a wet lab project. We will share further information with students on other postgraduate programmes next week. 

Postgraduate Research students should continue their research as planned. You can undertake work on site which cannot be done at home.  

Students not due to resume face-to-face teaching until at least 25 January 

We are aware that some students have remained in the area local to St George’s over the break. For others who are not yet due to resume face-to-face teaching, you are encouraged to remain where you are wherever possible and access online learning, but the Minister has recognised that there may be reasons why you need to return to site sooner. For example, you may not have appropriate study spaces or facilities in your vacation accommodation. In line with Tier 4 restrictions, you should not leave your residence, except for a small number of reasons (see further information here) and should stay in the local area. However, if one of the criteria listed in p.2-3 of Minister Donelan’s letter applies to you, you are able to come onto the University site from 4 January to access support and study space if needed. The Library will re-open at 8am on 4 January. Please note that, in line with the guidance below, you are encouraged to have coronavirus testing when returning to the St George's site. Even if you are not accessing university facilities, testing will help you to protect those you live with and others in the local community. 

Testing on your return to St George’s 

You are strongly encouraged to undertake coronavirus testing as soon as you return to the St George’s site since anyone without symptoms, but who carries the virus, could unknowingly spread it to many others. By getting tested you will be helping to break the chain of transmission, protecting those you live with and other members of our community. 

As per the instructions for testing in December, you should take two tests three days apart if possible. The first test should be taken as soon as possible following your return to the St George’s site, then another three days later. 

Between the tests you can access teaching and study spaces if:  

  • Your first test was negative 

  • You maintain strict social distancing, wear a mask and follow good infection control practices 

  • You limit your social contact to your household bubble only, in line with Tier 4 restrictions 

If you are on a clinical placement at the start of next term and you can access testing via your provider, please do so, but you are welcome to have testing at our centre if needed.  

If you choose not to undertake testing on your return, you are strongly encouraged to self-isolate for 10 days before returning to the university site. 

Testing will be available at the Robert Lowe Sports Centre at St George’s on specified dates from Monday 4 January.  

Before the break, we issued course specific advice about recommended testing date. Where course teams now need to postpone plans for face-to-face teaching, the recommended testing dates will need to change. However, even if you are on one of the affected courses, but will be based in the area local to St George’s from the start of January, you are welcome to book a test or attend a test already booked. 

Book your test here 

When clicking on the booking link, you will see at the top the list of dates when testing is available. Once you have selected your option, please scroll down and click on the date when you wish to book a test in the calendar view. Please then select one of the times which will appear to the right before adding your details below to make your booking.

International students 

International students returning from overseas should consider whether you need to travel to the UK at this time, particularly if you are on a course with no face-to-face teaching until at least 25 January. You could consider delaying your return if travel arrangements can be changed without undue costs. For those who do need to travel, international arrivals must complete a passenger locator form on arrival in the UK, and passengers travelling from a country not on the exemption (travel corridor) list* will need to self-isolate in their accommodation for 10 days 

*Please note, the travel corridor list can change at short notice. Keep up to date with the latest information on the government website.    

Displaying Covid-19 symptoms?  

If you display Covid-19 symptoms (a high temperature, a new, continuous cough, and/or a loss of, or change to, your sense of smell or taste), the guidance remains that you should self-isolate immediately and book a confirmatory PCR test at www.gov.uk/get-coronavirus-test or by calling 119. If you or a member of your household has coronavirus symptoms, or a positive test result, it is crucial you notify the University. Advice on steps you should take is available in our Covid information hub.  

 

I understand that the ongoing uncertainty is difficult for everyone and hope you will continue to look out for each other, offering support and encouragement where needed. Information from the government is evolving regularly and we will continue to update you, in line with the information we receive. 

With my best wishes for 2021. 

Professor Jenny Higham 
Principal 

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