International Arrivals Lounge

Self-isolation guide for University of Lincoln EU and International students arriving in the UK and living in the University of Lincoln Accommodation

Welcome to the UK and the University of Lincoln.

In order to embed a shared understanding of individual responsibilities to ensure the University of Lincoln is a safe and secure environment, we have created these guidelines to help students be aware of their responsibilities and how they will be supported during any periods of self-isolation.

The UK government has set out guidelines for all people who arrive to the UK in order to minimise the spread of Coronavirus.  This means that many people will be expected to take a coronavirus test and receive a negative result within 72 hours of arrival in the UK and also self-isolate for 10 days when they enter the UK.  From the 15^th February 2021, if you have arrived in the UK from a country considered to be ‘high-risk’, this 10-day isolation period must be in a UK government-approved facility. Details regarding this will be issued by the Government shortly.  Self-isolation means that you must stay indoors in order to ensure you are free from the virus and to help ensure the communities in which you live and study are safe for everyone.

This guide is to help you understand the current guidelines regarding self-isolation and what you need to do prior to arriving in the UK and during your 10 days of self-isolation. For more information on self-isolation please visit https://www.gov.uk/uk-border-control/self-isolating-when-you-arrive

 What you need to do before you arrive in the UK:

• You should review the latest UK government advice relating to any countries that you travel through on your way to the UK
• You will need to book your accommodation, including the Government-approved facility for your self-isolation period if required
• You must receive a negative coronavirus test within 3 days of your departure to the UK.  You will be asked to show your test result when you check in to travel and also when you arrive in the UK.
• You must complete a passenger locator form (PLF)  48 hours before your departure time with details of where you are going to stay when you are self-isolating.  This should be the address of your accommodation whilst you are studying at the University or where you plan to stay whilst you are self-isolating.  If you are unsure of the address or have not secured accommodation, please contact studentsupport@lincoln.ac.uk before you begin your journey to the UK.  You must bring a copy of the PLF with you (either printed or electronic) when you travel to the UK and have it available when you reach the UK border for the Border Force Officer to check
• You should also have a face mask and hand sanitiser in your hand luggage to use when appropriate
• Check your health and travel insurance is appropriate as many providers are adding Covid-19 exclusions
• Cash should be avoided. We recommend you bring an international credit or debit card in your hand luggage to use during the first two weeks as opening a UK bank account will be difficult when you are self-isolating.

Travelling to your accommodation:

• You must travel directly to your self-isolation accommodation.
• If your self-isolation accommodation is the Government-approved facility, you will be met at the airport and taken directly to the accommodation by a Government representative. Information about how to book this will be released by the Government shortly.  At the end of your self-isolation period in the Government-approved facility, the University will arrange to collect you and bring you to Lincoln free of charge. Please use the online booking form to arrange this
• If you are able to self-isolate in Lincoln, the University offers a free pick-up service from UK airports to Lincoln for all eligible students who are required to self-isolate. For more information regarding the service please click here
• If you are using the University free airport pick up service, you will be greeted at your point of entry and directed to your transport and you will be taken to Lincoln where you will be guided to your booked accommodation
• When you are travelling to your accommodation from the airport, you must wear a face mask and social distancing measures must be followed

Once you arrive at your University of Lincoln accommodation:

• You will be welcomed by a member of the Student Accommodation Service when you arrive at your accommodation, and the Residential Warden Team will be in contact with you to offer support
• You should not leave your accommodation for any reason until the self-isolation period (currently 10 days) is complete or you have taken a private coronavirus test 5 days after you arrive (Test to Release)
• Compliance with the self-isolation guidelines is a personal responsibility. Failure to comply with the requirements is an offence that can be punished with a fine, payable by you
• If you have any queries regarding how to self-isolate, please contact studentsupport@lincoln.ac.uk
• A self-care package will be made available to all student who are required to self-isolate. For more information about what will be included and how you will receive the self-care package please contact accommodation@lincoln.ac.uk
• Please ensure you tell your housemates that you need to self-isolate and if they have any questions refer them to the Student Support Centre (contact details as below)

How to self-isolate:

If you are self-isolating in a Government-approved facility, they will provide you with information regarding how to self-isolate

If you are self-isolating in Lincoln, please read the following information:

• You should avoid shared spaces, such as kitchens, bathrooms and sitting areas as much as possible. If you do use these areas make sure you are at least 2 metres away from other people as much as possible
• Wear a face mask when you are in the same room as someone else
• Use a different bathroom if possible, but if you share a bathroom with other people ensure you clean it with disinfectant after you use it
• Use different towels, sponges and flannels, and do not share a bed
• Regularly clean surfaces that you touch with disinfectant
• Wash up your own cutlery, pans etc and use your own tea towel and sponge which you should keep in your room
• Do not shake your dirty washing before you put it in the washing machine. If possible, wait to do your clothes washing until 3 days after your period of self-isolation
• Put your rubbish such as tissues and disposable wiping cloths into rubbish bags that are tied shut, and then place this bag inside a second bag. You should wait 3 days before you put the bags outside for the rubbish collection
• You should wash your hands often for 20 seconds each time using soap and water or hand sanitiser
• Ensure you always cough or sneeze into a tissue which you should throw away and then wash your hands
• Arrange for your food and medication to be delivered where possible
• Ask people who are making deliveries to your accommodation to leave the items outside and to let you know they are there – they must not come into your accommodation
• Do not use taxis or public transport
• Use your phone and social media to keep in touch with friends and family – do not allow social visits
• For more information regarding self-isolating please visit the NHS website You will also find more information and guidance from the UK Government here

What to do if you develop symptoms:

• For up-to-date information regarding symptoms, self-care and how to arrange for testing, please visit the NHS website
• Please notify the university (as below) that you are experiencing symptoms as soon as possible to enable measures to be put into place so we can continue to ensure the safety of the University community.
• The Residential Warden team will contact you to discuss any support that is required and will sign post you to services as appropriate.

Self-isolation and managing your studies:

• Your school will be informed of your need to self-isolate and will support you to access the online resources that are available for you, and your absences from face-to-face sessions during self-isolation will be authorised and will not impact your attendance record.
• If you have any questions regarding your Tier 4 Visa or require immigration advice, including information regarding the collection of your BRP card and how to register at the police station please email internationaladvice@lincoln.ac.uk and a specialist adviser will contact you to offer advice and guidance

Visa and Immigration advice:

Other information:

• It is advisable that you register with the local health authority so you can access the services of a GP should you become unwell whilst in the UK
• Mobile phones: The University has been donated UK SIM cards. If you would like to receive one, please contact the Residential Warden Team who will arrange for one to be delivered to you
• Banking: it is recommended that you research local banks to see which ones will accept online registration. If you require information or advice regarding bank accounts, please contact the Student Support Centre
• All faiths and none: unfortunately, there are no faith-based exemptions to self-isolation. However, you can contact the University Chaplaincy Service by emailing chaplaincy@lincoln.ac.uk and a member of the team will be in touch to help.

Student Support Centre can be contacted either via email: studentsupport@lincoln.ac.uk or by phone: 01522 837080.  For more information regarding the support services that are available, please visit the Student Service website

Self-isolation guide for University of Lincoln EU and International students arriving in the UK and living in Private Accommodation

Welcome to the UK and the University of Lincoln.

In order to embed a shared understanding of individual responsibilities to ensure the University of Lincoln is a safe and secure environment, we have created these guidelines to help students be aware of their responsibilities and how they will be supported during any periods of self-isolation.

The UK government has set out guidelines for all people who arrive to the UK in order to minimise the spread of Coronavirus.  This means that many people will be expected to take a coronavirus test and receive a negative result within 72 hours of arrival in the UK and also self-isolate for 10 days when they enter the UK. From the 15^th February 2021, if you have arrived in the UK from a country considered to be ‘High risk’, this 10-day self-isolation period must be in a UK Government –approved facility.  Details regarding this will be issued by the Government shortly.   Self-isolation means that you must stay indoors in order to ensure you are free from the virus and to help ensure the communities in which you live and study are safe for everyone.

This guide is to help you understand the current guidelines regarding self-isolation and what you need to do prior to arriving in the UK and during your 10 days of self-isolation. For more information on self-isolation please visit https://www.gov.uk/uk-border-control/self-isolating-when-you-arrive

 What you need to do before you arrive in the UK:

• You should review the latest UK government advice relating to any countries that you travel through on your way to the UK
• You will need to book your accommodation, including the Government-approved facility for your self-isolation period if required
• You must receive a negative coronavirus test within 3 days of your departure to the UK.  You will be asked to show your test result when you check in to travel and also when you arrive in the UK.
• You must complete a passenger locator form (PLF) 48 hours before your departure time with details of where you are going to stay when you are self-isolating.  This should be the address of your accommodation whilst you are studying at the University or where you plan to stay whilst you are self-isolating.  If you are unsure of the address or have not secured accommodation, please contact studentsupport@lincoln.ac.uk before you begin your journey to the UK.  You must bring a copy of the PLF with you (either printed or electronic) when you travel to the UK and have it available when you reach the UK border for the Border Force Officer to check
• You should also have a face mask and hand sanitiser in your hand luggage to use when appropriate
• Check your health and travel insurance is appropriate as many providers are adding Covid-19 exclusions
• Cash should be avoided. We recommend you bring an international credit or debit card in your hand luggage to use during the first two weeks as opening a UK bank account will be difficult when you are self-isolating.

Travelling to your accommodation:

• You must travel directly to your self-isolation accommodation.
• If your self-isolation accommodation is the Government-approved facility, you will be met at the airport and taken directly to the accommodation by a Government representative. Information about how to nook this will be released by the Government shortly.  At the end of your self-isolation period in the Government-approved facility, the University will arrange to collect you and bring you to Linvoln free of charge.  Please use the online booking form to arrange this
• If you are able to self-isolate in Lincoln the University offers a free pick-up service from UK airports to Lincoln for all eligible students who are required to self-isolate. For more information regarding the service please click here
• If you are using the University free airport pick up service, you will be greeted at your point of entry and directed to your transport and you will be taken to Lincoln where you will be guided to your booked accommodation
• When you are travelling to your accommodation from the airport, you must wear a face mask and social distancing measures must be followed

Once you arrive at your accommodation:

• You will be taken to your accommodation within Lincoln by taxi
• You should not leave your accommodation for any reason until the self-isolation period (currently 10 days) is complete or you have taken a private coronavirus test 5 days after you arrive (Test to Release)
• Compliance with the self-isolation guidelines is a personal responsibility. Failure to comply with the requirements is an offence that can be punished with a fine, payable by you
• The Chaplaincy Team will contact you to offer support whilst you are self-isolating
• If you have any queries regarding how to self-isolate, please contact studentsupport@lincoln.ac.uk
• Please ensure you tell your housemates that you need to self-isolate and if they have any questions refer them to the Student Support Centre (contact details as below)

How to self-isolate:

If you are self-isolating in a Government-approved facility, they will provide you with information regarding how to self-isolate

If you are self-isolating in Lincoln, please read the following instructions:

• You should avoid shared spaces, such as kitchens, bathrooms and sitting areas as much as possible. If you do use these areas make sure you are at least 2 metres away from other people as much as possible
• Wear a face mask when you are in the same room as someone else
• Use a different bathroom if possible, but if you share a bathroom with other people ensure you clean it with disinfectant after you use it
• Use different towels, sponges and flannels, and do not share a bed
• Regularly clean surfaces that you touch with disinfectant
• Wash up your own cutlery, pans etc and use your own tea towel and sponge which you should keep in your room
• Do not shake your dirty washing before you put it in the washing machine. If possible, wait to do your clothes washing until 3 days after your period of self-isolation
• Put your rubbish such as tissues and disposable wiping cloths into rubbish bags that are tied shut, and then place this bag inside a second bag. You should wait 3 days before you put the bags outside for the rubbish collection
• You should wash your hands often for 20 seconds each time using soap and water or hand sanitiser
• Ensure you always cough or sneeze into a tissue which you should throw away and then wash your hands
• Arrange for your food and medication to be delivered where possible
• Ask people who are making deliveries to your accommodation to leave the items outside and to let you know they are there – they must not come into your accommodation
• Do not use taxis or public transport
• Use your phone and social media to keep in touch with friends and family – do not allow social visits
• For more information regarding self-isolating please visit the NHS website You will also find more information and guidance from the UK Government here

What to do if you develop symptoms:

• For up-to-date information regarding symptoms, self-care and how to arrange for testing, please visit the NHS website
• Please notify the university (as below) that you are experiencing symptoms as soon as possible to enable measures to be put into place so we can continue to ensure the safety of the University community.
• The Residential Warden team will contact you to discuss any support that is required and will sign post you to services as appropriate.

Self-isolation and managing your studies:

• Your school will be informed of your need to self-isolate and will support you to access the online resources that are available for you, and your absences from face-to-face sessions during self-isolation will be authorised and will not impact your attendance record.
• If you have any questions regarding your Tier 4 Visa or require immigration advice, including information regarding the collection of your BRP card and how to register at the police station please email internationaladvice@lincoln.ac.uk and a specialist adviser will contact you to offer advice and guidance

Visa and Immigration advice:

Other information:

• It is advisable that you register with the local health authority so you can access the services of a GP should you become unwell whilst in the UK
• Mobile phones: The University has been donated UK SIM cards. If you would like to receive one, please contact the Residential Warden Team who will arrange for one to be delivered to you
• Banking: it is recommended that you research local banks to see which ones will accept online registration. If you require information or advice regarding bank accounts, please contact the Student Support Centre
• All faiths and none: unfortunately, there are no faith-based exemptions to self-isolation. However, you can contact the University Chaplaincy Service by emailing chaplaincy@lincoln.ac.uk and a member of the team will be in touch to help.

Student Support Centre can be contacted either via email: studentsupport@lincoln.ac.uk or by phone: 01522 837080.  For more information regarding the support services that are available, please visit the Student Service website

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