Autumn 2020: Life at Reading
Information about what to expect from the student experience this autumn
It is our collective responsibility to adhere to all UK government and institutional guidance to protect the health and wellbeing of our whole community. In particular, you must read our health and safety guidance and advice on how to prevent the spread of coronavirus (including symptoms to look out for, how to request a test, and when to self-isolate).
Travel & non-symptomatic testing at the end of term
Following the end of lockdown restrictions in England on 2 December, the government is then encouraging those students who intend to travel home for Christmas to do so in a "student travel window" of 03 to 09 December. To facilitate this, all face-to-face teaching on campus will end by 09 December, and teaching will be online only until the end of term on 11 December. To provide extra reassurance that they can travel safely, from 01 December the University will launch an on-site testing facility for those not displaying symptoms, open to all students and to those staff who have been working on campus in the 14 days prior to their test.
Find out more about the testing scheme.
Second ‘lockdown’ in the UK
The government has announced a pre-Christmas ‘circuit breaker’ lockdown in England starting on Thursday 5 November. The aim is to bring COVID-19 case numbers down using a month of increased restrictions, allowing people to travel more safely for the Christmas break. The new restrictions do not apply to the educational activities of schools, colleges and universities that our blended approach of online and face-to-face teaching will continue. For further information please visit the latest government advice page.
