• Government guidance for students

  All students are asked to read the Northern Ireland government advice on student movement and plans for the end of term here.

• Teaching and learning

  The government has asked universities and higher education providers to move all teaching online by 9 December 2020. There may be some limited exceptions, for example essential and non-avoidable teaching/assessments.

  This is because if you remain at university after 9 December, there is a risk that you may not get home in time for Christmas if you contract Coronavirus (COVID-19) or are identified as a close contact of a confirmed case and then have to self-isolate for the required period.

   

  Teaching and learning at Queen's

  Most teaching has been delivered online since mid-October so is unaffected. Students intending to return home for the festive period who only have online provision remaining for the rest of the semester should follow the advice and return as soon as possible having completed asymptomatic testing (more details below).

  For a small proportion of students, some on-campus delivery of essential and unavoidable teaching and/or assessment is scheduled for beyond the 9 December, as per the limited exceptions referred to in the guidance.. Unless advised otherwise by your School, you should assume that this will still be going ahead and attend. 

  If you need to stay at the University to attend these sessions but intend to travel home for Christmas thereafter, you should plan to do so as soon as possible following the conclusion of your academic commitments.

• Planning your return home

  The government has advised that you should aim to reduce your social contacts during the 14 day period prior to your intended travel date.

  Or you may choose to travel home early and limit your contacts for the 14 days following a return home.

  When making your decision, you should be mindful of the risks of spreading the virus by travel, particularly to others who may be more vulnerable because of their age or an underlying health condition.

  To keep yourself and others safe you must follow the public health advice of:

  • social distancing
  • good hand and respiratory hygiene
  • wearing a face covering
  • being alert to the symptoms of COVID-19

  Once you have moved back home, you are part of the household to which you have returned.

  If you intend to travel outside of the UK, see more detailed information below.

 

 

• Asymptomatic testing to reduce risk of transmission: Getting tested before travelling

  The NI Executive is encouraging all asymptomatic students to arrange two LFD/lateral flow device (asymptomatic) tests, three days apart, before travelling – assuming you don’t have symptoms.

  These tests are only suitable if you do not have any symptoms of COVID-19. 

  If you have COVID-19 symptoms you should book a coronavirus test in the normal way.

   

  Asymptomatic testing at Queen's

  Queen's was one of the first in the UK to establish an asymptomatic testing centre using lateral flow devices in the Whitla Hall on campus.

  You can access more information about asymptomatic testing and book a test here.

  The test centre is open from Sunday-Thursday, 11am-8pm. 

  Students who do not intend to travel are also encouraged to come forward for asymptomatic testing.

  More information is available on this page.

   

  LFD test results

  LFD tests do not require laboratory processing and can turnaround rapid results.

  If you receive a positive LFD test result this means that you are likely to be infectious when the test was done. If so, you will be required to complete a 10 day period of self-isolation from the date of your LFD test result and arrange a confirmatory PCR swab test as soon as possible, as you would do if you had symptoms.

  Everyone you live with must also self-isolate for 10 days as they will be your close contacts.

  If you  have been identified as a close contact of someone who has tested positive and can access testing, via the student LFD testing programme, you should seek a test. If you test negative, you  must still self-isolate for 10 days but this can be done at home if you wish to do so and you should take  into account the risk of transmission to your  family. In this case, you  are strongly encouraged to travel home by private transport, where possible.

  If you test negative and are  not a close contact of someone who has tested positive, you  can safely travel home.

  If you intend to travel outside of the UK, see more detailed information below.

• Safe travel

  In order to keep yourself and others safe when travelling (whether on public transport or in a private vehicle), it is essential that you follow the guidance for travel available here; Coronavirus (COVID-19): safer travel guidance for passengers.

  You should arrange your travel and book tickets in advance wherever possible, in line with the Coronavirus (COVID-19): safer travel guidance for passengers..

  When travelling you should remember the following key steps to minimise the risk of transmission:

  • Wear a face covering unless exempt
  • Keep you distance from people from other households when they travel, where possible
  • Wash or sanitise your hands regularly
  • Avoid the busiest routes, as well as busy times like the rush hour
  • Download the Stop COVID NI app before they travel.

  If you are travelling by private vehicle, try to avoid car-sharing with anyone outside your household, or support bubble.

  If you are identified as a close contact of a positive case and have tested negative, and have chosen to return home before undertaking 10 days of self-isolation, you are strongly encouraged to travel directly home using private transport to begin self-isolation for 10 days.

  If you intend to travel outside of the UK, see more detailed information below.

   

• International travel

  If you intend to travel internationally (outside of the UK) for the holiday period, you must check if your destination or airline requires evidence of a negative test before travel. 

  For entry into some countries, for example, China, an additional type of test is also a requirement prior to travelling.

  The correct COVID tests and certificates required for travelling to an international destination can only be obtained in a private clinic and usually involve cost; however, Queen’s has arranged to have these tests carried out for our students free of charge until the end of this calendar year through the Kingsbridge Private Hospital in Belfast (located at 811-815 Lisburn Rd, Belfast BT9 7GX).

  • If your test is negative, the Kingsbridge Private Hospital will issue the necessary certificates to enable you to travel;
  • If your test is positive, you will be given advice by them on self-isolating, prior to taking a second test when this period has passed and you wish to travel; in this case, the second test will also be free of charge.

   

  How to check if your destination or airline requires evidence of a negative test before travel

  If you are not sure if you need a test to travel to your destination country, telephone the Kingsbridge Private Hospital (028 9077 6777). Their staff will provide this information.  

   

   

  When you will receive the results of your test

   

  Under normal conditions, the test results should be available in 24 hours; however, this cannot be guaranteed in all cases. 

   

   

  How to book your free test(s):

   

  Kingsbridge Private Hospital booking lines are open Monday to Friday, 9:00am – 7:30pm, and Saturday, 9:00am – 3:00pm.

  • Book your appointment by telephoning the dedicated booking number: 028 9077 6777;
  • Inform the booking agent that you are a Queen's Student and provide your student number;
  • Bring your student card to your appointment;
  • The testing is free and you will not be charged.

   

  Travel advice

  Be aware that travel advice may change while you are overseas, so please check all relevant guidance pages regularly for updates: 

  • Coronavirus (COVID-19): travel advice | nidirect
  • GOV.UK – travel advice 
• If you develop symptoms

  It is important to emphasise that if any members of the Queen’s community develop Covid-19 symptoms at any time, they should immediately self-isolate wherever they are and book a test here.

  You should not access the lateral flow device/asymptomatic testing centre as described above and you should not travel.

Semester 2: Asymptomatic testing

• Asymptomatic testing for students and staff returning to campus ('Test to Return')

  With exception of those joining us for the first time at the start of the second semester, you will be familiar with the range of measures that were put in place on campus for the beginning of first semester such as social distancing, capacity restrictions, one-way traffic systems and the wearing of face coverings indoors. These will continue to be applied in second semester. They have recently been augmented with the establishment of the asymptomatic testing centre on campus.

  Access to an asymptomatic testing facility with significant capacity is a major step forward. It gives us another layer of protection against the risk of the virus spreading. To support your return to campus, we strongly encourage students and staff to undertake free on-campus asymptomatic testing.

  In January 2021 we intend to deploy this new testing capability in a Test to Return initiative.  This initiative requires all students and staff to arrange two asymptomatic tests 3-7 days apart as early in the new semester as possible. You should not engage in any on-campus activity, including face-to-face teaching, until you have had at least one negative asymptomatic test:

  • Students who are living in University accommodation will be able to check in before taking a test but should arrange a test for the day of their arrival or as soon as possible after they have moved in.
  • Students living in private rented accommodation should arrange two asymptomatic tests 3-7 days apart and should not engage in on-campus activity until you have had at least one negative asymptomatic test.
  • Staff should arrange two asymptomatic tests before returning to work on the campus or as soon as possible thereafter and and, where possible, avoid being on campus until you have had at least one negative test.

  Testing will open from 4 January - 7 February and you should book your two tests in line with your return date. If there are no appointments available at the relevant time, you should take all possible precautions to reduce the chance of infection, including keeping your distance from others.

  If you have work or study commitments that you are expected to attend on campus and have not been able to access a test due to lack of capacity, please contact covidtestbooking@qub.ac.uk and, if possible, you will be accommodated with a test before your first commitment.

  If you test negative, you can engage with your scheduled activities on campus. If you test positive, you and members of your household will be required to self-isolate and you will have to make necessary arrangements for your on-campus commitments. More information regarding what you must do in the event of positive or negative tests is available on this page.

   

  If you develop symptoms

  Asymptomatic testing is suitable only for those who are not displaying symptoms. If any member of the Queen’s community develops symptoms at any time, it is essential that they self-isolate immediately and book a test here.

   

  Other safety measures

  It is essential that we all continue to follow the public health guidelines regardless of whether or not we have received a negative asymptomatic test. All members of the Queen’s community are expected to maintain social distance from others, wear a face covering indoors and regularly wash or sanitise their hands.

• Is the testing mandatory?

  The testing is not mandatory; we are encouraging as many people as possible to get tested as an additional mitigation measure to help reduce transmission.

  Whilst we are encouraging everyone to participate in this testing initiative, we recognise there are many reasons staff and students may not be able to take a test. Staff or students cannot be made to take a test if they choose not to and should not be asked if they have taken the test or not.

  This is an additional intervention to those already in place, such as the use of face coverings, social distancing, ventilation and good hand hygiene.

• Why are staff and students being asked to get tested?

  This 'Test to Return' initiative is to help identify asymptomatic COVID carriers in our community at the start of Semester 2, when many of us will return to campus after the Christmas holiday break in significant numbers. Beyond this initial Test to Return phase during January/early February 2021, we hope to continue to offer repeated testing to staff and students. Details of this next phase will be issued in the new year.

• Why are two tests recommended?

   The sensitivity of the LFD test is optimal when two tests are done between 3 and 7 days.

• If I have had a test before Christmas, do I still have to get another one in January?

  The University is encouraging the uptake of tests irrespective if you have had one previously.

  If you have work or study commitments that you are expected to attend on campus and have not been able to access a test due to lack of capacity, please contact covidtestbooking@qub.ac.uk and, if possible, you will be accommodated with a test before your first commitment.

  Please note - if you are required to be on campus prior to 4 January 2021 when the testing starts, you should still come to work / study. The campus continues to be a safe place to work.  We ask that you continue to adhere to COVID regulations, University guidelines and the Campus Pledge.

• If a negative test is returned, how long does it last? Could you catch it when on a bus the next day?

  All COVID tests are only accurate at the time they are taken and yes, it is possible to catch the virus any time after the test. The test does not provide any protection from infection.

  COVID regulations, University guidelines and the Campus Pledge should continue to be adhered to before and after any test is undertaken. As previously advised, the likelihood of catching the virus is significantly reduced if you are taking precautions such as maintaining good hand hygiene, keeping your distance and using face coverings.

• Will contact tracing be open over the Christmas break?

  Yes – Public Health Agency contact tracing will be open throughout the holidays and they will be undertaking contact tracing for all activity off campus.

   

  University Covid Response Team

  We expect the next two weeks to be quiet in terms of on campus contact tracing; however, we have put in place some cover to ensure that we are able to respond and support those students living in our student accommodation and our staff still working across campus.

  The call centre will operate from 10am – 2pm daily on the following days:

  • Saturday 19 December
  • Sunday 20 December
  • Monday 21 December
  • Tuesday 22 December
  • Monday 28 December
  • Tuesday 29 December 

  Please be aware that the most up to date information will always be available via NI direct: https://www.nidirect.gov.uk/campaigns/coronavirus-covid-19.

  Outside of these times if you have any questions or need urgent answers, please call 028 9097 3550.  This phone line will be transferred to security control who will endeavour to help you. 

• Should staff and students still update the portal over the Christmas period?

  Yes please, it is important that we have up to date records.

  If you are a student or member of staff and are either:

  - self-isolating or
  - have developed symptoms or
  - have received a positive test

  Please inform the University via the portal here.

• How does this affect planned workshops/classes etc?

  As noted, it is preferred that staff and students have an LFD test before coming back to campus; therefore, we encourage all of those participating in the face-to-face workshops/classes etc to take a test in advance.  

  The testing is not mandatory; we are encouraging as many people as possible to get tested as an additional mitigation measure to help reduce transmission.

  Testing re-opens 4 January 2021. If you have work or study commitments that you are expected to attend on campus and have not been able to access a test, due to date availability or lack of capacity, please contact covidtestbooking@qub.ac.uk and, if possible, you will be accommodated with a test before your first commitment. You can still come onto campus but you should, as always, take all possible precautions to reduce the chance of infection, including keeping your distance from others.

• How is the issue of possible false positives addressed?

  If you test positive, you must immediately self-isolate and contact the https://www.gov.uk/get-coronavirus-test to arrange a confirmatory PCR test. This will eliminate the risk of a false positive.

• Are Professor Emeritus / Emerita entitled to a test?

  The post of Emeritus Professor is approved by People and Culture following retirement and endorsement by the Head of School. Therefore, as the individual has retired it is unlikely that they will need to have access to campus at this time. In normal times, standard regulations typically provide access to the library only and in some small cases to offices. If there is a requirement for an Emeritus Professor to be on campus a risk assessment will have been completed.

  As they are previous staff members they will be able to use their previous staff number and email addresses to book a test.

• Are other non-staff and students entitled to a test, for example Visiting Scholars or Students, Honorary Professors or Lecturers/Senior Lecturers?

  If any of these categories are required to be physically on campus, they can access a test using their Additional Persons (AP) number as their staff ID.

  If they have any queries, they should contact their School COVID Co-ordinator.

• What are the arrangements for staff and students with work or study commitments who are expected to attend campus from 4 January?

  As testing only opens from 4 January, it will not be possible for everyone to access an LFD test before returning to work – indeed there are staff in some areas who will work through Christmas and will not be tested – as has been the case to date.

  As highlighted, those with work or study commitments who are expected to attend campus from 4 January can be prioritised therefore if you have not been able to access a test due to lack of capacity, please contact covidtestbooking@qub.ac.uk and, if at all possible, you will be accommodated with a test before your first commitment.

  Please be aware that you should still come onto campus if you are required to work and should take all possible precautions to reduce the chance of infection, including keeping your distance from others, good hand hygiene, wearing face coverings etc.