Last night the Prime Minister outlined the Government’s ‘living with Covid’ plan, including an announcement that all legal Covid-19 restrictions in England will end this Thursday 24 February. Based on the announcement, the following will apply:
From 21 February, it will no longer be a requirement to test twice weekly for Covid-19. Separate guidance may however be provided to students and staff in healthcare settings.
The University will continue to provide free Lateral Flow Tests (LFT) for staff and students, subject to availability until 1 April. If you would like to collect a kit, please pop over to the Post Room or our Library sites at Hunter Street and Verney Park.
Test kits will also continue to be available from local pharmacies or ordered via the Universal Rapid Testing Offer - https://www.gov.uk/order-coronavirus-rapid-lateral-flow-tests. The free universal PCR and LFT test provision will end on 1 April.
From 24 February, it will no longer be a legal requirement to:
- self-isolate following a positive test or contact with someone who has tested positive for COVID-19;
- for fully vaccinated close contacts to test daily for 7 days.
Individuals who test positive however, will continue to be advised to stay at home where possible and avoid contact with other people (particularly anyone in an at-risk group - including if they live in the same household) for at least 5 full days.
Individuals who test positive are encouraged to continue to follow the guidance, taking a LFT after 5 days, followed by another the next day - if both are negative, and they do not have a temperature, they can safely return to their normal routine.
Specific guidance will however be provided to students on placement or working in healthcare settings.
We ask everyone coming onto campus to continue to help us fight against COVID-19 and create a safer environment for one another. Should you have any symptoms of COVID-19, feel unwell or are a recent close contact with someone who has COVID-19, please stay at home, take a test and where possible avoid contact with others.
More information on the latest COVID-19 advice is available on: COVID-19 Response: Living with COVID-19 - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk). Should you require support at this time, please contact Wellbeing, Skills & Diversity on SharePoint or by phone: 01280 820 200.
Best wishes
Jane
Jane Tapsell | Pro Vice-Chancellor & Director of Student Support Services
The University of Buckingham| Hunter Street | Buckingham MK18 1EG