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As we are approaching 17 May, step 3 of the government’s roadmap to ease lockdown restrictions, we wanted to highlight the changes that will occur nationwide from that date.

From Monday 17 May:

  • most social contact rules outdoors will be lifted, but gatherings of more than 30 will be illegal
  • indoors, the rule of six or a larger group of up to two households will be allowed
  • indoor hospitality - pubs, restaurants, cinemas, theatres, museums, galleries, concert halls, children play areas, hotels, B&Bs, indoor exercise classes - will be allowed
  • large indoor performances and sporting events with a capacity of 1,000 people will be allowed
  • outdoor large performances and sporting events will have a maximum capacity of 4,000 people or must only be half full, whichever is lower
  • weddings, wedding receptions, and christenings will be allowed with 30 people
  • funeral attendance will no longer be capped at 30 people

St George’s return to campus information

Please note: There is no immediate change to the University’s current working arrangements.

Our teaching and research continue as at present, with any on-site activities conducted in Covid-secure ways. Work should continue to be done from home where possible.

For specific information relating to St George’s campus and return to site, please see details below:

Lateral Flow Device (LFD) test kits on site

From Monday 17 May, we will each be able to collect packs of LFD Covid test kits on site, to use at home. 

The government strongly advises that all of us who are regularly on site or travelling from home should be undertaking Covid testing twice weekly (3-4 days apart), to break the chains of transmission.

Each kit contains seven tests, which are easy to administer and provide results in about 30 minutes. Tests must be taken at home, not used on site. Once you have your result, we strongly recommend that you record it via the report a Covid-19 result page of the government website, and link your test to St. George’s Hospital Medical School.

 For the first two weeks of operation kits will be available for collection as follows:

  • Students – collect kits from the Student Life Centre (ground floor, Hunter Wing) from 12pm-2pm, Monday-Thursday
  • Staff – collect kits from the main university reception on the ground floor of Hunter Wing from 12pm-2pm, Monday-Thursday.

Where it is not convenient to visit site to collect kits, they can also be ordered online through the Universal Rapid Testing Offer.

Use of face masks

Requirement for the use of Type 2 face masks by all staff and students, unless exempt, will remain in place on site.

Social distancing

Social distancing of two metres remains in place at St George’s.

The Dragon Bar reopening

The SU bar will reopen next week, from 5-11pm on Wednesdays and Thursdays; and from 4-11pm on Fridays.

Robert Lowe sports centre

The Students’ Union and University have agreed that the Robert Lowe sports centre can reopen for sports activities soon. We will provide further updates on this, and any other changes, as they become available.

Jenner Level 1

Additional study space will open on Jenner Level 1. Students wishing to make use of these facilities are asked to use the cleaning equipment provided to clean the space they use before and after use. Where on-site teaching sessions are scheduled (see timetabling screen as you enter Jenner Level 1), students already using the space are asked to vacate fifteen minutes before the scheduled teaching session starts.

Students in Halls of Residence

Students in Horton Halls are required to follow the government guidance on indoor socialising of rule of six or two households.

Please note that the government has introduced an £800 fine for those attending house parties, including in halls of residence, which will double for each repeat offence to a maximum level of £6,400.

These fines will apply to those who attend illegal indoor gatherings of more than 15 people from more than two households.

Postgraduate taught courses

While formal teaching for the year has ended, some postgraduate taught courses may bring students on site for ad hoc teaching sessions.

Students will hear from course teams about any teaching that is scheduled and will be required to follow all testing and safety protocols when coming to site for the first time. 

Letter from Michelle Donelan MP, Minister of State for Universities

In preparation for the easing of lockdown restrictions, Michelle Donelan MP, Minister of State for Universities, sent this letter (PDF) to university students across the UK on 10 May. 

Within this letter, the Minister confirmed that from 17 May, there will no longer be any restrictions on the in-person teaching of students on non-practical courses. 

The letter restates the need for regular testing on site to prevent outbreaks as one in three people with Covid-19 do not experience any symptoms and may be spreading the virus without knowing.  Alongside the rollout of the vaccine, regular testing is going to be an essential part of the easing of restrictions as it will help us quickly suppress the spread of variants.

 The vaccination programme is on track to offer the vaccine to all adults over the age of 18 by 31 July, and the government are keen to encourage a high take up of the vaccine amongst students.

The letter also raises the importance of student mental health and wellbeing, and highlights the online mental health platform Student Space.

St George’s also has lots of support for students and we recommend using one of the following routes:

  • Arrange an appointment with the Counselling team by emailing: counselling@sgul.ac.uk.   
  • Contact the Students’ Union for support being offered remotely by Lon Teija (Welfare Advisor) and Sarah Jones (Acting President).
  • Check updates at www.sgsu.org.uk/covid for ways to get in touch and to find out more about Students’ Union support.   
  • Approach your Personal Tutor.   
  • Use one of the online platforms developed to support students with their mental health: Togetherall and Student Minds
  • Join other students and staff for Random Chat every Friday at 5pm (and more often if there is demand). 

The Minister further highlights that the government is making available a further £15 million to universities to address student hardship. See more information on applying to the University Access to Learning Fund (ALF) and EU & International Hardship Fund here. The funds are open to eligible undergraduate (UG), postgraduate taught (PG) and postgraduate research (PGR) students.

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