Last updated: 21 October 2021

Covid-19 FAQs

This page includes a range of topics relating to Covid-19 including what's happening, what safety measures are in place and what you can do to help us get back to normal as soon as possible.

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The University's approach to the new academic year

What is the University's approach to the new academic year?

The 2020/21 academic year has started as planned.

All students can expect to receive the great majority of their learning on campus and in-person from the start of the term. The great majority of staff will be working on campus.

Staff, students and visitors are encouraged to respect other people's personal space and to maintain an increased distance where possible.

From September 2021 you can expect that:

  • Face-to-face teaching will be the norm.
  • Campus facilities such as the library, sports facilities, the Students’ Union, cafés and other social spaces will be open with all the appropriate measures in place to help keep you safe.
  • Sports, clubs and societies and other activities will be operating, giving you every opportunity to engage with student life at Worcester.

Will teaching be in person?

Face-to-face teaching will be the norm and you should plan to attend campus for teaching activities such as lectures, seminars, tutorials, group discussions and other activities, as they will form an essential and significant part of your student experience and success. 

A small amount of teaching will be online using the latest digital learning technology, as part of our popular blended approach to learning and teaching. Support is available through our Access to Technology programme. 

If you have questions about being on campus you should speak to your course leader or personal academic tutor in the first instance.

Are all facilities open?

All facilities are open as normal.

Safety measures for students and staff

Vaccination

We are strongly recommending all students and staff are fully vaccinated against Covid-19. Vaccination offers the best protection against the virus and gives the best chance of returning to the great majority of normal activity on campus. If you aren’t yet full vaccinated, you can book through the NHS:

Book or manage your coronavirus (COVID-19) vaccination

If you’d like to find out more about vaccinations, take a look at this short film, where SU Vice President Neve Ricketts puts her questions to a local GP:

Common questions about vaccinations

You will not need a vaccination passport to attend campus.

Lateral flow testing (UPDATED - 20 OCTOBER)

If you are coming to the campus for the first time then you are strongly recommended to take a lateral flow test before travelling. 

Students and staff are expected to test regularly (we suggest at least twice a week).

The NHS is strongly encouraging everyone who takes a lateral flow test at home to record their result. You can do that via the government website, and there are instructions and guidance on how to do this in every test kit.

Face coverings

Wearing a face covering is now a personal choice. You may wish to keep a face covering with you and wear it if you find yourself in a busy area on campus, for example a corridor before a lecture starts.

Many staff and students may prefer to wear a face covering much of the time, particularly if they are recovering from a cold or other illness and are helping protect the health of others.

Ventilation

Good ventilation of indoor spaces can help to reduce the spread of Covid-19.

We advise that windows and doors are kept open wherever possible, to ensure that there is good air circulation in and out of buildings.

Good hygiene and cleaning

We strongly recommend regular and thorough hand washing. Sanitisation stations will continue to be available across the campus.

The enhanced cleaning regime will continue to be in place on campus. Cleaning supplies will also be readily available in all office and study spaces for students and staff to use as needed.

What to do if you think you have Covid

Students

If you think you have Covid you should immediately self isolate in your current place of residence and arrange for a PCR test by visiting the NHS website or calling 119.

You should report your absence as soon as possible via your SOLE page.

More information about when to self-isolate and what to do is available on the NHS website.

Staff

If you think you have Covid you should immediately self isolate and arrange for a PCR test by visiting the NHS website or calling 119.

More information about when to self-isolate and what to do is available on the NHS website.

If you have been tested and received a positive result for Covid-19 please report it following your normal departmental process as soon as possible. Your manager will report your absence through the University's covid reporting portal and it will be treated as sickness absence in line with the University’s sickness absence policy.

The University has produced a flowchart and checklist for managers to follow in relation to the reporting and management of any suspected and confirmed staff cases of Covid-19.

When to self-isolate (NEW - 4 OCTOBER)

For full details on when to self-isolate, please visit the NHS website.

Where to find more information

Students

As always, your first point of contact for support should be the Firstpoint team.

You may also find the following useful:

Staff

If you have detailed question about Covid and the support available to you, please speak to your line manager in the first instance.

You may also find the following useful:

Overseas travel

For the duration of 2021/22 Semester 1, any University business related overseas travel will be subject to the approval of the Vice Chancellor and Chief Executive. Any overseas travel to a country that is categorised as ‘red list’ under the Government’s traffic light system is suspended.

Staff are also reminded of the need to speak to their line manager before arranging any overseas travel which is not work-related (e.g. for a holiday). 

Useful links