Travel quarantine instructions (catered)

Accommodation

Travel quarantine (self-catered)

By Adrian 11 Sep 2020

You can find all our COVID-19 content at campuslife.london.ac.uk/tags/COVID-19.

There is a quick summary at campuslife.london.ac.uk/covid19-guidance-start-here_122007.

We also recommend that you stay up to date with guidance from the UK government and the NHS.

A note about terminology: The UK government uses the terms “staying home”, “self-isolation”, and “quarantine” interchangeably. We think this is confusing, so in the University of London, in line with the World Health Organization, we use these terms in their proper medical senses: quarantine is what you do as a precaution, if you might have been exposed to infection but are in normal good health; self-isolation is what you do if you are unwell with symptoms of infection, or if you have had a positive test for coronavirus.

You must quarantine for 14 days after travelling from any country or territory that is not listed by the UK government as being exempt from the quarantine requirement. The list of exempt countries (sometimes called "travel corridors") is at gov.uk/guidance/coronavirus-covid-19-travel-corridors.
Below are the key instructions that you must follow when quarantining after international travel. You will also find our self-isolation and quarantine FAQs helpful.

Notify us

Tell us that you have to enter travel quarantine using the form at bit.ly/uolselfisolation.

If you do not complete the form, we will not be able to support you or provide food as outlined below.

STAY IN YOUR ROOM

You may leave your room only for the following reasons, as infrequently as possible and returning to your room without delay:

If applicable, to use the shared bathroom for your cluster flat – and please wipe down surfaces after use.
If applicable, to use the shared kitchen to prepare food – do not use at the same time as anyone else, and do not eat your food in the kitchen (take it to your room).
To evacuate the building if the fire alarm sounds, or other emergency.
To obtain medical care or essential medicines.

New arrivals: we can help you with food

If this is your first arrival in London this academic year (e.g. at the start of term 1 in September/October), we will provide you with food for the first three days of your travel quarantine. From day four, you should arrange a supermarket delivery and ask a friend to bring the delivery to your room/flat from reception.

At Eleanor Rosa House

We can provide you with a box of basic emergency supplies to last for three days.

In self-catered accommodation at all other halls

We will deliver breakfast, lunch, and dinner to your room, Monday to Friday; and brunch and dinner, Saturday and Sunday, for your first three days of travel quarantine.

Do not allow anyone into your room

No one else should enter your room unless it is to help in an emergency.

Use delivery services instead of going out

Please order food and other essentials online, for delivery to your hall, instead of going out shopping. You might find THIS LIST of delivery companies useful.

Wear a face covering and keep a safe distance

You must wear a face covering over your mouth and nose at all times when outside your room.

The UK government guidance about face coverings is HERE. The Mayor of London's face covering guidance is also very helpful. Keep a safe distance of at least 2 metres from other people at all times.

Wipe shared surfaces and equipment

Take care to wipe down all surfaces and other items in the shared kitchen and/or bathroom before and after you use them.

Clean your hands more often

Wash with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, or use a hand sanitiser:

When you enter the building
After using the bathroom
Before eating or preparing food
Before touching your eyes, nose, or mouth

Catch coughs and sneezes

Catch coughs and sneezes with a single-use tissue, then throw the tissue in the bin. If you do not have a tissue, use your sleeve at the elbow. Then wash or sanitise your hands.

Take care of your mental health and wellbeing

Living through a pandemic is stressful. At different times, you might feel anxious, worried, overwhelmed, sad, guilty, or depressed: all these feelings are understandable and it's ok to have them (it's also ok not to feel any of those things - we all react differently).

Talk with a member of our team if you are struggling with difficult feelings and emotions, and see our resources at campuslife.london.ac.uk/tag/Mental+Health.

Our Wardens and Resident Advisors are all trained in having safe and supportive conversations about mental health and wellbeing.

If you develop symptoms of COVID-19

If you become unwell with symptoms of possible COVID-19, please stay in your room and follow the self-isolation instructions (there are slightly different instructions for Eleanor Rosa House and Handel Mansions). The instructions include details of how you will obtain food, and the circumstances in which you would be allowed to leave your room.

It is essential that you notify us that you are self-isolating.

You should arrange to have a test for coronavirus as soon as possible.

This is mandatory guidance

The police and Public Health England have powers to detain individuals who do not comply with this guidance.

In the Intercollegiate Halls, failure to quarantine/self-isolate when this is indicated will trigger paragraph 17.1 of the Licence Agreement:

17 In any of the following instances the University is entitled to end this agreement and recover possession of the Accommodation. Any other rights or remedies the University may have will remain in force:

17.1 on 24 hours’ notice if Your behaviour constitutes a serious risk to the health, safety or welfare of Yourself or others, or serious risk to the University’s or others’ property.

Adrian is a medical doctor, the University of London Student Health & Wellbeing Manager, and the Warden of Connaught Hall. He is passionate about advancing equality, diversity, and inclusion. Adrian's interests include fitness, nutrition, mindfulness and insight meditation, medical education, social psychology, and human factors / crisis resource management.
View All Posts