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Latest Updates

Key COVID-19 updates for Academic Year 2020-21

Information Last Updated

Wednesday, June 23, 2021 - 11:31am

Date	Details
22 June 2021	University supports Cheshire West and Chester Council with surge PCR testing Residents of, and adults who work in the CH1 3 and CH1 4 postcode areas are being asked to get a COVID-19 PCR test to help tackle the rise in positive cases of the Delta variant in Cheshire West and Chester. Cheshire West and Chester Council has opened a walk-in testing centre within the priority area for surge testing to make it as accessible as possible for all residents. We are supporting the Council to provide a venue, with space available as the end of the academic year is reached and as part of ongoing community partnership work. The unit is open to staff and students as well as local residents and workers. The Council's pop-up testing bus will be in front of Senate House (Exton Park), in Cheyney Road. It will be available from 9am to 4.30pm, Monday to Friday until 3 July. No appointment is necessary. No parking is available at the site.
16 June 2021	Updated information in relation to COVID testing, symptoms and vaccinations Throughout the pandemic: We've kept our sites COVID-secure. Students and staff using our facilities in person have been tested regularly. Our COVID Support Team is highly effective in supporting positive cases, where they occur, and tracking any potential contacts. Now we need to keep all that going and it is vitally important that everyone keeps taking safety seriously because COVID-19 is still with us. Please read the latest updates here.
12 May 2021	Update: Summer Term The University's Pro Vice Chancellor (Student Experience) Dr Helen Galbraith has written to all students to inform them of the University’s arrangements for the remainder of the summer term, following the UK Government announcement on May 10 about the further easing of lockdown restrictions. Read more in our 'Summer term - latest updates' section
13 April 2021	Face-to-face teaching - UK Government update 13 April Official updated UK Government guidance on COVID restrictions for universities issued late on Tuesday, April 13 states that the remainder of students (those who have not yet been allowed back this year) will be permitted to return for face-to-face teaching no sooner than week commencing May 17. This is outlined in a letter addressed to you from the Minister of State for Universities, Michelle Donelan MP. Read more in our 'Summer term - latest updates' section
22 February 2021	Practical Classes Return 8th March Our Registrar Jonathan Moores has written to students following the Prime Minister’s announcement that universities can hold some further in-person teaching. Please note the Department for Education guidance clearly states that this applies only to “undergraduate and postgraduate students who are studying practical or practice-based (including creative arts) subjects and require specialist equipment and facilities from 8 March. Universities should not ask students to return if their course can reasonably be continued online.” Please wait until you hear from your department about whether or not this is relevant to your programme of study before making any decision about returning to the University.
5 February 2021	Returning to University Universities Minister Michelle Donelan MP has written to all students confirming that online teaching will need to continue until 8th March. This will be reviewed and an update will be shared week beginning 22nd February. The Office for Students has got a great FAQ page about returning to University.
23 January 2021	Updates related to aysmptomatic testing From Monday 25th January it is vital that all students and staff back at University in person have two lateral flow tests per week. This is new and updated advice from the Department for Education. Twice weekly testing will help to break chains of transmission, identify asymptomatic infections and help further ensure safety on campus to help enable a return to more face-to-face teaching as soon as is possible. Read more in our Spring Term updates section.
5th January 2021	National lockdown in England announced Following the Prime Minister's national address last night which announced the lockdown, the Vice-Chancellor has written to all staff and students with information currently available. Staff and students should keep checking emails, portal intranet pages and the January updates section of the website.
31st December 2020	Update on January term 2021 The Vice-Chancellor has written to all students and staff following further guidance and updates from Government about the staggered return of students in January. You can read the update here in 'January 2021 - returning to University'
30th December 2020	Changes to Tiers relating to University of Chester sites from 31st December 2020 The UK Government has announced updates for the England tier system in terms of COVID-19 restrictions. As of New Year's Eve (31st December 2020), our Cheshire and Warrington sites move up into 'Tier 4 - Stay at Home'. Commercial Occupants of University can read the latest updates regarding access to sites here. In addition, our Shrewsbury and Birkenhead sites will then be located in 'Tier 3 - Very High Alert'. Wherever you are currently, please make sure you continue to follow all the guidance on local restrictions. We would also like to remind you that there will be a staggered return to University in January and that testing will be provided for all students. Please keep a check on this page for updates.
23rd December 2020	Cheshire and Warrington to move from Tier 2 to Tier 3 on Boxing Day (26 Dec) Please note our Cheshire and Warrington sites move into 'Tier 3-Very High Alert' on Boxing Day (December 26), but Shrewsbury and Birkenhead) remain within 'Tier 2-High Alert' – please make sure you continue to follow all the guidance on local restrictions.
21st December 2020	Update to students re. new UK COVID-19 restrictions The UK Government has introduced a new Tier 4: Stay at Home category for areas of the UK, which came into effect after midnight on December 20. The University received clarification from the Government late last night (December 20) in a letter from the Universities Minister on what this means for students. In summary: You can still go home for Christmas now, even if you are travelling to an area which is now in Tier 4. You are encouraged to take a COVID-19 test and wait for a negative result before you travel. Do not travel if you have had a positive result, have symptoms of the virus, or have been advised to self-isolate by NHS Test & Trace. Any student can travel home once between December 3, 2020 and February 7, 2021. If your home is outside the UK, please check whether there are any new travel restrictions in the country to which you are travelling, as this may affect your plans. Over the Christmas period, you will count as part of the household to which you return (and will not be considered a separate household). Information on COVID-19 is changing regularly. Please keep checking your University emails, the App, Portal and the website for updates.
15th December 2020	Returning to campus plans for January 2021 Over the last week the University's Registrar and the Pro Vice-Chancellor have written to all students and staff with more details about the staggered return of students in January (as per Government requirements) and also with details of the COVID-19 asymptomatic testing which will be offered to students on their return. Read more here in our 'January 2021 - returning to University' update
4th December 2020	Tier 2 - High Alert and Plans for January The University's sites all sit within Tier 2 and today the Vice-Chancellor has written to all staff and students with the latest updates and plans for January including updates on asymptomatic testing.
20th November 2020	December and Christmas 2020 The University has written to all students and staff about its plans for December and Christmas 2020 including face-to-face teaching and travelling home safely.
23rd October 2020	Update Regarding Development Week/Travelling Home We are asking (non-commuter) students NOT to return to their parental/permanent home during Development Week (week commencing 2 November). They should remain at their term-time accommodation during this time. This is to keep everyone as safe as possible and reduce COVID-related risks. Please note that as permitted by Government rules for Education and Work, commuting staff and students can continue to travel to and from campus even if they live in a different tier location or area of local lockdown.
7th October 2020	Information for Parents and Carers of Students Find out more
18th September 2020	Warrington and Wirral Sites New restrictions have been announced for Warrington and Wirral from Tuesday (September 22nd) University facilities in both locations remain open and operating within these restrictions.