Travel quarantine instructions (catered)

Accommodation

Travel quarantine (self-catered)

By Adrian 15 Feb 2021

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.

Everyone arriving in the UK from outside the Common Travel Area (UK, Ireland, Isle of Man, and Channel Islands) must quarantine for 10 full days and take two coronavirus tests during their quarantine period. Even if both tests are negative, the quarantine period is still 10 full days. For people arriving from a “red list” of countries must complete their 10 days in a designated quarantine hotel.
Before arriving in the UK, you must:
take a coronavirus (COVID-19) test and get a negative result during the 3 days before you travel;
book and pay for a travel test package, which will include COVID-19 tests to be taken on or before day 2 and on or after day 8 of your quarantine; and
complete a passenger locator form with details of where you will quarantine when you arrive and the travel test package booking reference number.
The government rules are explained in full here, including how to book your two mandatory tests:
https://www.gov.uk/guidance/how-to-quarantine-when-you-arrive-in-england
The “red list” of countries from which travel to the UK is banned is here:
https://www.gov.uk/guidance/transport-measures-to-protect-the-uk-from-variant-strains-of-covid-19
And there is more information about quarantine hotels here:
https://www.gov.uk/guidance/booking-and-staying-in-a-quarantine-hotel-when-you-arrive-in-england

Quarantine in halls
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

If you are arriving to check-in to your hall for the first time

You do not need to tell us in advance about your need to quarantine. When you check-in, we will ask you to complete an arrival slip, and this includes the option to let us know that you will be in quarantine.

If you have previously checked in to your hall and have been on an overseas trip

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 as detailed 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.
To use the hall garden as outlined HERE.
Other limited reasons, outlined at gov.uk/government/publications/coronavirus-covid-19-how-to-self-isolate-when-you-travel-to-the-uk/coronavirus-covid-19-how-to-self-isolate-when-you-travel-to-the-uk.

Do not allow anyone into your room

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

Shared bathroom facilities

If you share bathroom facilities, please use the toilet and shower cubicles marked with an orange “travel quarantine” sign.

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.

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

What to do if you develop symptoms of coronavirus

See HERE for what to do if you develop a new, persistent cough, fever (high temperature), or loss/change in your sense of taste/smell.

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 24.1 of the Licence Agreement:

24 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:

24.1 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.
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