Student Update: Covid-19 testing for students returning home from their term-time address

Please be aware that this information was shared with students by email and correct at the time of sending. For the latest Covid-19 guidance, please visit our coronavirus webpages: www.wlv.ac.uk/coronavirus. If you are a student who has a query or needs support, please log a helpcall with ASK@WLV in e:Vision (www.wlv.ac.uk/evision).

Following on from our previous messages about the end of term departure plans, I am writing to update you on the plans for Covid-19 testing for students. 

The Government announced a travel window for students from 3 – 9 December 2020, and you will have previously received a communication about the last dates for on campus teaching for your course. This Update is also available to view on the Student News pages.  

We are asking students to arrange to be tested for Covid-19 before you finalise your travel arrangements.  This will help to ensure that you can travel safely and protect your loved ones. 

We are working with our local authorities to enable testing to take place, and this is available to those who do not have Covid-19 symptoms. If you have Covid-19 symptoms, you should get a test and follow the normal testing and reporting procedures.  

If you are planning to leave your term-time accommodation: 

• We are asking you to get tested for Covid-19 as early as possible, to ensure you can travel home for Christmas safely.  
• The Faulkland Street test site in Wolverhampton can be accessed by students without symptoms from Friday, 27 November until Friday 4 December 2020.   
• Home test kits will be available for collection at City (Wolverhampton), Walsall and Telford Campus.  

Pre-book a test at the Faulkland Street testing centre in Wolverhampton:  

• There is a pre-bookable service available from Friday, 27 November until Friday 4 December 2020. This testing site is open 8 am–8 pm, 7 days a week.
• You can pre-book your appointment for a test at the Faulkland Street testing centre, by visiting www.gov.uk/get-coronavirus-test or by calling 119.
• When you pre-book online, please tick the box marked ‘My local council or health protection team has asked me to get a test, even though I do not have symptoms’. 
• You must enter your term-time address.

City Campus, collect and use a home test kit

• From Monday, 30 November until Friday 4 December home test kits will be available to collect from The Chaplaincy (opposite Asda and next the Houseman Building) at City Campus.
• You can collect your test from 11 am, complete the test in your residence, and deliver it back on the same day as soon as possible, before 4 pm.
• Advice and support on administering the test will be made available to you.
• This self-testing kit video provides a step-by-step guide to taking the test.

When collecting your home test kit, please ensure you are following all on campus safety guidelines, this includes wearing a face covering, maintaining 2 metre safe distance from those around you and following all instructions (including signs and floor markings). 

You should wait to receive your test results before departing from your accommodation. Undertaking the tests during this period will allow for your results to be returned and still have enough time to arrange departure plans before Christmas. 

Walsall Campus, collect and use a home test kit 

• On Wednesday 2 December and Thursday 3 December home test kits will be available to collect from the Student Hub (WA005) (in Jerome K Jerome WA building) at Walsall Campus.
• You can collect your test from 11 am, complete the test in your residence, and deliver it back on the same day as soon as possible, before 4 pm.
• Advice and support on administering the test will be made available to you.
• This self-testing kit video provides a step-by-step guide to taking the test. 

When collecting your home test kit, please ensure you are following all on campus safety guidelines, this includes wearing a face covering, maintaining 2 metre safe distance from those around you and following all instructions (including signs and floor markings). 

You should wait to receive your test results before departing from your accommodation. Undertaking the tests during this period will allow for your results to be returned and still have enough time to arrange departure plans before Christmas.

Telford Campus, collect and use a home test kit 

• On Tuesday, 1 December 2020 home test kits will be available to collect from the Prioslee Lounge (in Priorslee Hall) at Telford Campus. 
• You can collect your test from 11 am, complete the test in your residence, and deliver it back on the same day as soon as possible, before 4 pm.
• Advice and support on administering the test will be made available to you.
• This self-testing kit video provides a step-by-step guide to taking the test. 

When collecting your home test kit, please ensure you are following all on campus safety guidelines, this includes wearing a face covering, maintaining 2 metre safe distance from those around you and following all instructions (including signs and floor markings). 

You should wait to receive your test results before departing from your accommodation. Undertaking the tests during this period will allow for your results to be returned and still have enough time to arrange departure plans before Christmas.

If you are a student living in private accommodation or non-University accommodation 

If you are a student living in private accommodation (for example a rented property, private halls, or with family) and you intend to travel home for the Christmas period, you should arrange to be tested for Covid-19 before you finalise your travel arrangements.  This will help to ensure that you can travel safely and protect your loved ones. 

You can do this by collecting a home test kit from your normal campus of study, or by booking a test at the Faulkland Street test centre, in Wolverhampton City Centre.  

• City Campus: Monday 30 November – Friday 4 December, collect at The Chaplaincy from 11 am, complete the test in your residence, and deliver it back on the same day as soon as possible, before 4 pm.
• Walsall Campus: Wednesday 2 and Thursday 3 December, collect at the Student Hub (WA005) in the Jerome k Jerome (WA) building from 11 am, complete the test in your residence, and deliver it back on the same day as soon as possible, before 4 pm.
• Telford Campus: Tuesday 1 December, collect from the Priorslee Lounge in Priorslee Hall from 11 am, complete the test in your residence, and deliver it back on the same day as soon as possible, before 4 pm.
• Advice and support on administering the test will be made available to you.
• This self-testing kit video provides a step-by-step guide to taking the test 

When collecting your home test kit, please ensure you are following all on campus safety guidelines, this includes wearing a face covering, maintaining 2 metre safe distance from those around you and following all instructions (including signs and floor markings). 

You should wait to receive your test results before departing from your accommodation. Undertaking the tests during this period will allow for your results to be returned and still have enough time to arrange departure plans before Christmas.

International students 

In addition to the above testing, if you are an international student and you plan to travel overseas, you need to consider the restrictions on entry to the country in question, such as whether you would need to undertake a period of self-isolation in that country, and whether you would need to self-isolate when you return.  

There is specific advice for each country available on this website, and we advise that you check this information carefully: https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice 

Students should be aware that travel advice may change while you are overseas, and are advised to regularly check all relevant GOV.UK guidance pages for updates.

What happens next? 

If your test result is positive, you will be required to self-isolate for 10 days from the date of your test, this will allow you the time to travel home or back to your non-term-time address before the Christmas period.  

If you are identified as a close contact of a positive case, you will be required to self-isolate for 14 days, but the self-isolation period will be permitted to be carried out at your non-term time address.  

If you receive a positive test result, we ask that you email: Covid-19help@wlv.ac.uk and complete the online Covid-19 Reporting form. 

Support for Students 

Support is available for students who are self-isolating in University accommodation, including access to food and laundry services.  

Information about this is available on the University’s self isolating support pages.   

These measures are designed to enable those who wish to travel to do so in a safe way and to protect your loved ones. If you have any questions, you can contact our Covid-19 Incident Response Team by email: Covid-19Help@wlv.ac.uk.  Thank you for your co-operation with this important process.  

Thank you, and stay safe.

Professor Julia Clarke 

Deputy Vice-Chancellor