Hello Jemima
Following the communication you received earlier this week including guidance on the national lockdown restrictions, we have now received further guidelines from government and so have more detail to share.
In this email, we'll update you on:
 Mitigating measures
Teaching and learning
Returning to campus - Exceptional circumstances
Facilities open on campus
Use of higher quality face coverings on campus
On campus accommodation rent waiver
Guidance for international students
Asymptomatic testing
Warwick Sport membership freeze
Mitigating measures
We are working closely with the Students’ Union on a number of mitigating measures in recognition of the disruption the national lockdown has caused to students. This will help alleviate the pressures students are currently under. We will be in touch early next week with more detail.
Teaching and learning
As previously stated teaching will be delivered remotely (on-line only) from the beginning of term (11 January 2021) until mid-February for all subjects, with the exception of MBChB, ITT and Social Work students. Wherever possible, you should therefore remain at your home address and should not travel to access university facilities.
Returning to campus - Exceptional circumstances
There are some exceptional circumstances where you can return to campus, for example:
If you do not have access to appropriate alternative accommodation, facilities or study space
If you need to return for health or safety reasons, or require additional support such as for your mental health and wellbeing
Commuter student that requires access to university facilities to access online learning
Researchers and research students who require access to specialist facilities for their work. If research students can work from home, they are encouraged to do so
When making the individual decision to return to campus for term 2, it is vital that you read and understand the latest government guidance, including the identified exceptional circumstances, and make your own informed decision. Please note the new guidance states you must not move back and forth between your student address and your home address during term time.
Where students are resuming face to face teaching because of the nature of course, or where the exceptional circumstances outlined above apply, travel to return to university counts as a “reasonable excuse” for travel. Students can travel by private vehicle or public transport but, to minimise the risk of transmission to others when they travel, should use private transport wherever possible and only use public transport if there is no other option. See further guidance about travel.
You should avoid returning to university to collect any of your belongings which you may have left at your university accommodation over the winter break. However, you can travel back to collect any medical equipment or items required for online learning if it is essential.
Facilities open on campus
If you are living off-campus but within reasonable commuting distance, then you may use the library and study spaces available on campus but only if you do not have access to appropriate study spaces or facilities in your usual accommodation. We would strongly recommend that you book a Covid-19 test before using campus facilities and that as far as possible you avoid public transport. Please ensure that you wear a face covering in any inside spaces.
Find out more details about what’s open on campus.
Use of higher quality face coverings on campus
You will be aware of the recent steep rise in Covid-19 infections and the rapid nationwide spread of a new, more infectious strain of the virus. As a result of this, new advice has been issued on the use of face coverings at work recommending the use of higher quality face coverings.
We are already using higher quality face coverings at Warwick and have two types available:
Disposable - the blue/white pleated style - these are the same grade used in the NHS and are certified to a British Standard.
Washable - three-ply, black fabric face coverings – these were available to students at the beginning of term 1.
More information on face coverings (including exemptions).
We issued the black washable face coverings to students at the beginning of term 1. We recommend you wear one of these higher quality coverings to protect yourself and those around you while on campus. And remember, the best control is to still keep 2 metres away from anyone else at all times.
On campus accommodation rent waiver
In light of the latest Government imposed student travel restrictions, the University will be providing a rent waiver for students with on campus accommodation who are not currently living on campus. The waiver will cover the period from 9 January until at least mid-February, by which time we hope that more information and guidance about the lifting of student travel restrictions will be available. In addition, we will defer on campus rent payment dates until 1 March by which time the position may be clearer.
Further, more specific details will be provided to relevant students via email early next week. Please bear with us as we work through the finer detail, if you do get in touch with us we won’t be able to give you any more information than we have shared here. Thank you.
International students
The advice for international students travelling from overseas for the spring term is to consider whether you need to travel to the UK at this time, particularly if your course does not require you to be on campus. If it is possible to rearrange your travel arrangement without undue costs then you are advised to delay until at least mid-February; however, if you are unable to then the UK border remains open and you can continue to travel to the UK as planned. From Monday 11 January, all international arrivals to England, including UK nationals, are required to present a negative Covid-19 test taken up to 72 hours prior to departure. Read the full requirements. Make sure you check all the requirements on what you need to do if you are travelling back to the UK.
Find out more in the FAQs about international travel.
Asymptomatic testing
If you are coming onto campus or are in the local area, in order to ensure your safety and the safety of our wider community, the government has stressed the importance of asymptomatic testing in the fight against the virus. We will continue to provide this service via the government testing centre at The Slate on campus, find details on how to book. Find out more about asymptomatic testing.
Please consider the benefits that these tests will bring in identifying and isolating any positive cases early and, hopefully, reducing onward transmission of the virus to your fellow students, staff and the wider community.
Warwick Sport membership freeze
In line with the national lockdown announced by government, all Warwick Sport indoor and outdoor facilities will remain closed until further notice. If you have a membership, please be assured that while these restrictions are in place your membership will remain frozen until we’re able to reopen. You do not need to do anything. Warwick Sport will also be continuing to live stream fitness classes daily on their Facebook page along with additional live streamed workouts on their members only Facebook Group. View the fitness class timetable. For full details see Warwick Sport’s FAQs.
Visit our Term 2 plans page to see the full list of FAQs. We know that this continues to be a challenging time, please see details of the support available to you and don’t be afraid to seek help if you need it.
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Best wishes,
Warwick Student Communications Team
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