Public Health England’s advice for staying safe and well at university

Hi [First Name],
  
Your university wants you to be safe in your studies during the academic year ahead. That’s why they’ve worked closely with us - your public health teams in Coventry and Warwickshire - on how to keep as healthy as possible while we continue to face up to Covid-19.
 
Some of you will be returning to your student accommodation in Coventry and Warwickshire, while some will be arriving in our towns and cities for the first time. Whoever, and wherever you are, here’s a reminder of what we need to do to help contain the spread of Covid-19.
 
Off-campus
 
Please follow the latest UK government guidance on social distancing, and take note of any signage that recommends how far you should stand apart from others.
 
Think about your distancing when you’re socialising too. If you’re arranging get-togethers, try to be considerate of your friends and the people around you. When you’re planning to meet in licensed premises: 

• Book venues ahead of time to ensure you can be seated
• Be sensible about the amount you drink
• Have safety measures in the back of your mind as you consume alcohol
• Stay with your household group in one venue
• Provide venues with your contact details, to ensure you can be contacted through NHS Test and Trace 

It’s really important you know what to do if someone in your home becomes unwell, and what the Covid-19 symptoms are if you become unwell.
 
If someone in shared accommodation is the first in the household to have Covid-19 symptoms, then they must self-isolate for at least 10 days and book a test as soon as possible.
 
Students at the University of Warwick can use the Test and Trace centre on campus, unless another testing site is more convenient. If you do use another testing site please notify the University using the Contact Trace form (found on the website).You can book a test off campus or dial 119 for further assistance. You will either be able to book a drive through test, a walk-in test or order a home testing kit.
 
Everyone else in the household must self-isolate for 14 days following the onset of the first person’s initial symptoms.
 
If the result is negative
the person who had symptoms can stop self-isolating as long as they are well and have not had a high temperature for at least 48 hours. Household contacts can stop isolating immediately if they have no symptoms. 
 
If the result is positive 
the person with symptoms must continue to self-isolate for a minimum of 10 days or - if symptoms persist - until they’re well and have not had a high temperature for at least 48 hours and they should share close contacts with the NHS Test and trace service when asked. All household contacts must continue to isolate for the whole 14 days. 

If the test result is inconclusive
everyone in the household should continue isolating and the person with symptoms should book another test as soon as possible, within five days from the initial onset of symptoms. 
If any close contact of a positive case becomes symptomatic, they should isolate and order a test and either isolate for 10 days (following a positive test result) or isolate for 14 days (following a negative test result, because they are a close contact of a confirmed case).
  
General health and safety guidance
 
Keep in mind other UK government recommendations, such as: 

• Wear face coverings where appropriate, which includes on public transport
• Regularly wash and sanitise your hands
• Remember up to six people from different households can meet (while maintaining social distance) outside or inside  

For the most up-to-date UK government guidance and a reminder of the Covid-19 symptoms, please visit www.nhs.uk/coronavirus