Updated government COVID-19 guidance

26 May 2021

University advice remains unchanged

The government has issued updated guidance for those living in areas where the new COVID-19 variant first identified in India is spreading.

Our advice to all colleagues (irrespective of where they live) continues to be as follows:

• Continue to work from home unless it is essential that you are on campus
• Get tested twice a week for free and isolate immediately if you are positive
• Get vaccinated when you are offered it, and encourage others to do so as well. Being registered with a GP ensures you receive the communications in a timely way. Please also keep updated with your local primary care team who may be do additional vaccination drives.

Vaccines currently used in England cover these new strains, once you have received both doses. Updated guidance is available on the NHS website. If you live in a high incidence area, please check the guidance for high incidence areas and discuss with your line manager if it affects you.

It is important that you get tested twice weekly if you are working on campus. It is recommended that you take these tests 3-4 days apart. For example, if you take your first test on a Thursday or Friday, your second test should be on the following Monday. 

Colleagues can collect free rapid lateral flow tests on campus, order rapid flow tests from gov.uk or visit a test centre on campus. To visit a test centre, please book your test using our online booking form. There are testing centres at University Place and Owens Park.

IMPORTANT: You must not collect rapid lateral flow tests, attend a testing centre, or come to your workplace if you have symptoms of COVID-19. If you have symptoms, you should book through NHS Test and Trace.

More information

• If you test positive or need to self-isolate, please report it.
• Further information on testing is available on our website.