COVID-19 update on teaching, testing and travel

A message from Debra Humphris, Vice-Chancellor sent by email 19 November 2020

I want to stress how much I appreciate that Covid-19 continues to cause all of us concern, and that some of our students may be feeling particularly apprehensive or uncertain about what lays ahead in the run up to Christmas. My colleagues and I will continue to do all that we can to keep you informed so that you can understand where we are with our planning and what you can expect to happen next. In that context I hope that the following update will be helpful.

Teaching now by remote learning

Each School has now confirmed the final dates for face-to-face teaching before all learning moves to entirely remote delivery, and they have also confirmed a recommended travel day. If you haven’t already received information about this from your School you will do so shortly.

PhD students can continue to work on campus after this date subject to spaces being open, staff support and risk assessments being in place but they must follow the guidance below on safe travel arrangements.

Covid-19 testing and travel guidance

We have also now had confirmation that the University will be part of the Government’s asymptomatic testing programme (i.e. for people showing no symptoms). However, in the first instance there will be a limit on the number of tests that we will receive, and that we will therefore be able to provide on-site. We are now working through the detail of how the tests will be undertaken at Brighton, and we will continue to provide you with updates on this.

While students are strongly encouraged to undertake testing, the Government has confirmed that there is no formal requirement for a student to self-isolate if they have not accessed testing prior to travelling home. All students, however, are being asked to travel home as safely as possible and follow the end of term guidance, travelling either in the ‘student travel window’ between 3 – 9 December if not symptomatic, or after isolating if they have been symptomatic, tested and advised to do so by NHS Test & Trace.

If at all possible please drive or arrange to be picked up. If this isn’t something that you can do then please be mindful of peak travel times when using public transport, in particular if you will be traveling through busy areas. Find out more information about travelling safely.

For those of our students who may be travelling to the EU at this time please do also consult relevant guidance regarding the UK and EU transition.

Support services during December

During December all services will be available remotely and for those students who need to stay at the University the libraries, study spaces and computer suites will remain open until the end of term – this will also include our Book and Bean cafes. During this time the current Covid-secure measures will remain in place.

I will write to you again in the near future providing you more information. If you have any questions or concerns please do not hesitate to speak to my colleagues in our schools or student support teams, and please regularly check our FAQs for updates.

 

Photo credit: Paul Siewert on Unsplash