Latest government guidance

For the latest information about travel at the end of term, including testing and international travel advice, please see the ‘End of term travel and mass testing’ section.

The government has announced that, following the end of lockdown restrictions in England on 2 December, Reading and Wokingham will be placed under the ‘high alert’ or Tier 2 level of restrictions of the local COVID alert system. Prior to lockdown, Reading and Wokingham had both been under ‘medium’ or Tier 1 restrictions.

The government has assured universities that we can remain open as long as safety measures are in place to minimise the spread of the virus, so this email sets out some initial information about what that will mean for you. Please also take a moment to read the full details of the high alert restrictions on the government website.

Please see our email to all students with information about what ‘Tier 2’ means for our university community.

Measures in place from 5 November to 2 December.

The government has introduced new measures for England from 5 November until 2 December. The government is taking the following action:

1. Requiring people to stay at home, except for specific purposes.
2. Preventing gathering with people you do not live with, except for specific purposes.
3. Closing certain businesses and venues.

Please remember that there are different and specific regulations that apply in Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland.

Should I continue to attend face-to-face teaching sessions on campus?

As outlined in a letter to students from Universities Minister Michelle Donelan, educational activities in schools, colleges and universities will not be subject to these additional restrictions. Public Health England has also expressed confidence in the safety measures we have in place. It does not recommend any additional steps at this time and is confident that there are no additional identifiable transmission risks associated with teaching sessions because of the safety measures and additional provisions we have put in place.

The government has asked students to remain at university during term time and not to travel home before Thursday 5 November, to allow all students who are able to, to benefit from face-to-face teaching and COVID-secure educational facilities, and to prevent the increased risk of spreading coronavirus (COVID-19). International students should be mindful that the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office currently advises against all but essential international travel.

We intend to continue with our blended approach of online and face-to-face teaching, with strict adherence to all the safety measures we already have in place. Please also be aware that all assessments will go ahead this term as planned. We will let you know if we receive any further information from government that changes this position.

For commuter students, although the government is advising against travel in and out of your local area during lockdown, there is an exception for education. This means you will be able to travel to and from University.

Will there be any changes to campus facilities from 5 November?

Many of our services will continue but some will need to change to adhere to the new government restrictions, as follows:

Library & Study Space: The Library will remain open during the lockdown period, with amended opening hours starting from 5 November of 08.30 till midnight Sunday to Friday and 08:30 to 21:00 on Saturdays. The Click and Collect service will also continue. You will have access to the bookable study space in the Library and the non-bookable space in URS and other locations around campus such as halls – all of which is socially distanced. The Study at RUSU will also be open.

Student support services: We will also maintain all our student advice and support services. These will continue to be available remotely, plus reception desks will remain open for drop-in queries and you will still be able to make bookings for face-to-face appointments where needed.

Halls of Residence: Halls of residence remain open and fully staffed. If you are living in halls, we will continue to support you, including all of the assistance we are providing for those who must self-isolate. In particular, we will continue to provide temporary assistance with deliveries of food and emergency items where required. Home at Halls will continue its programme of virtual social activities.

Catering outlets: Catering and food services will continue on campus, with some changes. Students on catering packages will still be able to access their catering needs. You can find all the details on the Hospitality webpages.

The Co-op have confirmed that they intend to remain open for the full lockdown period. The market place will also continue to operate at Park Eat providing essential grocery items.

RUSU has advised that its food outlets will provide takeaways, and most other services will move online. You can find out more on the RUSU website.

The international food market will not be on campus during lockdown.

Can I travel back to Reading from elsewhere?

The government’s announcement of the new national lockdown was made when many of our students were away from campus during Week 6 and we understand that this has left you with questions about whether and how you can return to campus for the rest of term.

If you are currently away from University, with family or elsewhere, under the lockdown rules in effect from 5 November, it is our view that based on current guidance you can return to University, as travel for educational purposes is permitted.

If you need to travel back to University with those with whom you are currently staying (for example parents), to avoid using public transport or because there is no other way you can return to campus for the rest of term, the guidance does not expressly prohibit this. However, no-one other than members of your student household can enter your accommodation given the restrictions on indoor mixing of households under the new lockdown arrangements.

Can I travel elsewhere to see family or friends?

Under the four-week lockdown that comes into force on Thursday 5 November, the government guidance says you should avoid travelling in and out of your local area, and generally reduce the number of journeys you make. It is also clear that if you are living at university, you should not travel back and forth to your family home during term time, and should only return home at the end of term. The government has indicated that it will provide further guidance soon about travel over the Christmas period, and we will share plans with you when this is published.

Can I return home if I live overseas?

If I am already away from Reading, can I study online for the rest of the term?

If there is a compelling reason that you need to continue your studies from home it is important that you let us know you are considering this so we can give you the right advice and change your mode of attendance on student records. This may, depending on a number of factors, affect your student loan or your immigration status. It is also important to check that you will not be missing essential face-to-face teaching. If you are thinking of studying from home please contact your Support Centre or Henley Helpdesk for further advice, or the International Student Advisory Team for international and EU students.

Please note that there are some programmes for which it will be difficult for students to meet their learning outcomes without being on campus. We wrote to all students on these programmes at the start of term, and will contact students again by the end of November about Spring term arrangements. If you have any queries about whether this affects you please contact your Support Centre.