Important update about COVID-19 and your studies at UCL

Please read this update carefully as it contains important information about the latest Government safety measures, as well as new COVID-19 guidance being introduced at UCL from today.  

The most important thing you can do to protect yourself and others is to get your COVID-19 vaccine if you can. The NHS vaccination centre at UCL’s Bidborough House is offering walk-in appointments 9am-6pm daily, including boosters if you are eligible. Please check the NHS website for the current eligibility criteria. 

UK Government guidance 

Last Saturday, the Prime Minister announced several new precautionary measures following the emergence of the new Omicron variant of COVID-19 in the UK.  

From today (Tuesday 30 November 2021):  

• All international arrivals to the UK must take a Day 2 PCR test and self-isolate until they receive a negative result. MyHealthChecked is a certified Government provider and offer discounted test kits for UCL students. 
• Face coverings are compulsory in shops and on public transport.  
• All contacts of suspected Omicron cases must self-isolate, regardless of their vaccination status. They will be contacted by NHS Test and Trace. 

Safety measures at UCL 

At UCL, we will continue to follow UK Government guidance and work with our own public health experts to review the safety measures in place on campus. This means that from today:  

• Face coverings are mandatory for all students and staff while you are indoors on campus, unless you are exempt. Find out how face coverings make a difference in UCL’s short film with Professor Ivan Parkin.  
• If you are symptom-free, you should get tested twice a week with a rapid Lateral Flow Test (LFT) and report your results to the NHS and UCL Connect to Protect. 
• If you feel unwell, you must not come to campus. If you do have COVID-19 symptoms, you should get a Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) test as soon as possible. 

Making travel plans 

It is not known yet how the new Omicron variant will spread and what impact it will have on international travel. Some countries may introduce more restrictions, close their borders or advise their citizens not to travel.  

If you are planning to travel, including over the winter break, please be aware that the situation is uncertain and official guidance may change at short notice.  

Please think carefully before you make your plans, and follow the latest guidance from the UK Government, your destination and any countries you will be travelling through, including the legal requirements for getting tested for COVID-19.  

Before you travel, please:   

• Get vaccinated for COVID-19 if you can. 
• Download the free NHS COVID-19 contact tracing app.   
• Get tested for COVID-19, even if you don’t have symptoms. You may need to pay for a ‘fit-to-fly’ test and discounts are available. Otherwise, you can take a free Lateral Flow Test (LFT) on campus or order them for delivery to your address.   
• Check the UK Government’s safer travel guidance.  

Support for overseas students  

Whether you are thinking about travelling over the winter break or staying here in London, UCL will make sure you have the support you need.  

For students staying in London over the winter break.

• Our Accommodation team will be on hand to provide support throughout the closure period, including for self-isolating or symptomatic students. 
• The Student Centre will be open, although libraries will be closed (you can continue to access online library resources). 
• A limited number of food and drink outlets will be open on campus, including the Wilkins Refectory. 
• You can find out about mental health and wellbeing support on the Students website. 

Please also check UCL’s webpages for international students. 

Teaching in Term 2  

In line with UK Government guidance, we intend for campus to be fully open for face-to-face teaching for the rest of Term 1 and when we open again in January for the start of Term 2. We expect all students to be on campus, unless your programme is available for remote study. We will of course update you should UK Government guidance change.

Further information and support  

You can find out more about what UCL is doing to keep everyone safe on campus on our coronavirus information hub.   
 
If you would like to talk to someone in confidence about your situation or how the pandemic is affecting you, please get in touch with UCL’s Student Support and Wellbeing team.  
 
With best wishes, 
Professor Deborah Gill  
Vice-Provost (Education & Student Experience)