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Dear All,

The recent news that London has been moved into Tier 3 coronavirus restrictions feels like a blow and I hope that you are finding ways to keep in good spirits at the end of a tough year for everyone.

I wanted to confirm that under Tier 3 restrictions there is no change in the way the university is operating. Our current approach to teaching and learning, including online provision alongside essential onsite, hands-on teaching, will continue.

Staff should continue following current guidance and advice on working arrangements which are already in place.

Thanks to the commitment and tremendous team effort by colleagues across the University, our first experience of running an asymptomatic Covid test centre has gone well over recent weeks and we have had some excellent feedback from students who have undertaken testing in advance of the break. I am grateful to everyone who has worked tirelessly to set up the test centre, navigating the confusion caused by changing guidelines and policy, and to those who took on new responsibilities or volunteered to deliver the testing process.

We have contacted students this week with information about testing over the break and in January, along with guidance about travelling back to St George’s. Details are below.  

Testing is also available to staff. If you wish to undertake testing (advised to be two tests three days apart) please book appointments here.

An unusual festive period lies ahead, but I hope it will offer you a well-earned rest. I wish you all the very best for the festive season and look forward to working with you again in 2021.

Best wishes,

Paul Ratcliffe
Chief Operating Officer

Advice shared with students this week

Testing during the break 

The last date offered by the University test centre is 18 December. University testing for students will not be operational over the festive break, but following liaison with the local council’s Director of Public Health, we can now confirm they are able to make their testing facilities available to postgraduate research students and students on clinical placements from 19 December to 4 January. Borough test sites will not be open on the bank holidays. Details of how to book tests will be shared with students before the break. 

Testing after the break 

Students will have the opportunity to take a coronavirus test on their return to the St George’s site after the break. Testing in the new year will use the same lateral flow device tests that have been used in the centre over the past fortnight. As per the instructions for testing in December, students should take two tests three days apart if possible. The first test should be taken as soon as possible following their return to the St George’s site then another three days later. Between the tests students are able to access teaching spaces if they maintain strict social distancing, wear a mask and follow good infection control practices, but they must limit their social contact and interaction with others outside their household bubble until they receive a second negative test.

If students are on a clinical placement at the start of next term and can access testing via their provider, they should do so, but all are welcome to have testing at our centre if needed. 

Testing will be available at our centre on specified dates between Monday 4 January and Thursday 21 January. Tests from Monday 25 January will be offered at the Wandsworth test centre.   

Travelling back to St George’s 

When returning to site, students should avoid car sharing with anyone outside their household or support bubble and rigorously follow the safer travel guidance for passengers to reduce the risk of transmission to others where this is not possible.  Students who cannot access private vehicles, and use public transport, should book their travel in advance and rigorously follow the Coronavirus safer travel guidance for passengers. 

International students returning from overseas will need to complete a passenger locator form on arrival in the UK. They will need to self-isolate in their accommodation for 10 days if arriving from a country which is not on the exemption (travel corridor) list. Requirements for the isolation period must be followed, even if a student receives negative Covid test. *Please note, this can change at short notice. Keep up to date with the latest information on the government website.   International students should also: 

  • confirm with course teams when they are required on site 

  • confirm when they intend to arrive on campus so that they can be appropriately supported 

  • inform course teams if they have already booked travel for dates outside of their specified cohort date

 

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