The Prime Minister announced last night a new national lockdown which has implications for many aspects of our lives, and for university activities.
As ever, at the University of Lincoln our priority is the safety of our students and staff. We encourage all members of our community to follow the national ‘stay at home’ advice to help reduce the risks from the new variant of Coronavirus and keep each other and our loved-ones safe.
The Government has reiterated the instruction to universities to teach the majority of their courses online for all but the following subjects:
- Medicine
- Subjects allied to medicine/health
- Education (initial teacher training)
- Social work
- Courses which require Professional, Statutory and Regulatory Body (PSRB) assessments and /or mandatory activity which is scheduled for January and which cannot be rescheduled.
Those students who are studying one of the above courses at Lincoln should return to face- to-face learning as previously advised and arrange an asymptomatic Covid-19 test upon arrival back in Lincoln. Your school will have been in touch if your course is included in this list. You can book your test here: https://lncn.ac/tct
Following last night’s announcement, the Government advises that “students who do not study these courses should remain where they are wherever possible, and start their term online, as facilitated by their university until at least Mid-February”. See: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/national-lockdown-stay-at-home#universities
If you are not studying on one of the courses listed above, please remain at your current location (whether at home or your term time address if these are different) and continue your studies online.
However, if you are unable to access online learning from your current location, for example because you do not have suitable study space, or access to essential equipment, or where you are currently living is not a safe place for you, or you require specific support such as support for your mental health; then you can move back to Lincoln to access these facilities. You must not move back and forward between your term time and home address after your arrival at University.
The University of Lincoln remains open. The Library, Student Support Centre and Student Wellbeing Centre and Health Centre are open, both on campus and online, and support continues to be available for students through personal tutors and the Students’ Union.
Any student returning to the University must be tested for coronavirus before attending face-to-face teaching sessions or accessing university facilities (excluding the Student Health Centre and emergency Wellbeing appointments). The University has an asymptomatic testing site on campus with capacity for 1,000 tests a day. Staff and students can book a test here: https://lncn.ac/tct
Anyone who has symptoms must, of course, self-isolate and book an NHS PCR test through https://www.gov.uk/get-coronavirus-test
For those students who are engaged in face-to-face teaching, you can meet in groups of more than your household as part of your formal education or training, where necessary but you cannot meet socially. Students should follow all Government guidance and restrictions: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/national-lockdown-stay-at-home
You should socially distance from anyone you do not live with wherever possible.
This is an uncertain and difficult time for everyone but, as the Prime Minister stated, the roll out of the vaccine provides hope for the future.
Please be assured University staff are working as hard as we possibly can to keep our students and staff safe and we hope to resume face-to-face teaching and other activities as soon as we are able to do so safely and in accordance with Government guidance.
For students in financial difficulties, our Student Support team can advise on access to support funds, and we offer comprehensive information and advice about all aspects of student finance, funding, and accommodation services. We advise students to get in touch with our Student Support team or the Students’ Union if they require assistance.
The most up-to-date information on the new national lockdown restrictions can be found at gov.uk. Latest updates and information from the University, plus links to useful resources and contacts, can be found at www.lincoln.ac.uk/coronavirus