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This message is ONLY for St George's registered students.

Dear students,

If you are planning to travel home for the Easter break, the information below outlines the current government advice.

It has recently been confirmed, that whilst the government strongly advises that students remain in their term time accommodation to minimise the risk of Covid-19 transmission, they will be able to return home during the Easter break for the purposes of a holiday, provided they make the journey there just once before 29 April. They can return to term-time accommodation at any time.

Students who do choose to travel home during this period are expected to:

  • Get tested before they travel. The University test centre is open on Mondays and Thursdays between 12pm-2pm. Please book a test here.
  • Test again before they travel back to university, where community testing facilities are available.
  • Undertake two tests on return to university, one as soon as possible upon arrival and one three days later. Students should then be tested twice weekly thereafter (Subject to new guidance from the Department of Health and Social Care).

Please note, the University testing centre is shut the week commencing 5 April for Easter. Please attend the Wandsworth community testing facility that week. Book your test via this link.

For more information, please see the guidance here and the Office for Students FAQs.

International students

Under government advice international students are also allowed to make the journey to their home once for their Easter break. However, because travel restrictions could change, making it difficult to get back into England, it is strongly advised that students do not travel overseas. If your degree programme involves placements or on-site activities, you should discuss your plans with your course team, who can advise on the potential implications for your studies in relation to quarantine or if travel restrictions were to prevent your return on schedule.

Students who do choose to travel overseas during this period:

Current guidance for students returning to the UK, is that before they arrive in the UK they should:

  • Check the latest information about entering the UK.
  • Note that all passengers are required to quarantine for 10 days on arrival, either in a managed quarantine hotel or in their own accommodation.
  • Check whether the country they are travelling from is on the ‘red list’, and whether they will need to complete their quarantine in a managed quarantine hotel or in their own accommodation (see page 27 for further guidance on this).
  • Ensure that prior to departing for England they have proof of a negative coronavirus test result taken within three days of departure to their transport operator - more information on pre-departure testing is available.
  • Book and pay for a travel test package at a cost of £210, which will include coronavirus tests to be taken on or before day 2 and on or after day 8 of quarantine after arriving in the UK - more information about quarantine testing is available.
  • Complete a passenger locator form detailing where they will quarantine upon arrival.
  • Speak to their travel insurer.

Please note, University testing onsite cannot be used as a replacement for testing before you return to the UK. As noted above, you must have proof of a negative coronavirus test result taken within three days of departure and have booked and paid for a travel test package before you arrive in the UK. More information can be found in the Visa and immigration section of the student FAQs.

Travel advice

Students using private vehicles to travel home should:

  • Avoid car sharing with anyone outside their household or support bubble.
  • Rigorously follow the safer travel guidance for passengers to reduce the risk of transmission to others where this is not possible.

Students using public transport should:

All students should:

  • Wear a face covering unless exempt.
  • Keep their distance from people from other households.
  • Wash or sanitise their hands regularly.
  • Download the NHS COVID-19 app before they travel, if possible and checking in where they see official NHS COVID-19 QR code posters.

If students are travelling from areas which are undergoing surge testing, different public health guidance applies and they should ensure they get tested before they travel.

Staying in your term time accommodation

If you choose to stay at your term time accommodation during the Easter break, you can access support should you need it, by emailing coronavirusconcern@sgul.ac.uk. Services will be operating as normal during this time.

 

 

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