COVID-19 FAQs
The safety of our students and staff remains our number one priority during this unprecedented time. On this page you will find details on the stringent measures in place at our College to keep you safe, the measures you must take while on campus, and guidance on what to do should you start experiencing symptoms of COVID-19.
We have pulled together the following Frequently Asked Questions, which we hope will be of help to you. If you have any further questions, please do not hesitate in contacting us.
What safety measures are in place on campus?
Your safety remains our number one priority during these unprecedented times. We have taken stringent measures to ensure your safety on campus. These include:
• Learning bubbles – all students should remain within their designated learning bubble. You should not mix with other students outside your bubble, even during break periods
• Face masks – masks must be worn at all times while on site, unless exempt for health reasons
• Social distancing – all students and staff must keep 2m apart while on campus. Social distancing includes not hugging other students, shaking hands or any physical contact. You must not congregate in any public spaces
• Hand sanitising stations – hand sanitiser is available to all our staff and students, and must be used regularly while on site. This is in addition to the fact you must frequently wash your hands for at least 20 seconds
• Enhanced cleaning – frequent cleaning schedule across our campuses
• Engaging with the NHS Test and Trace process – managing confirmed cases within the setting and containing any outbreak by following local health protection team advice
• Maintain enhanced cleaning, including frequently touched surfaces – Disinfectant wipes are available in all classrooms. Students and staff must use the disinfectant wipes available to clean down their desk before and after lessons or as required
• Keep occupied spaces well ventilated – Windows should remain open to allow for fresh air to circulate throughout the day and therefore students and staff may wish to wear more clothing layers
What is expected of me as a member of staff/student on site?
Onsite, you must follow all the measures listed in the Frequently Asked Question above. This includes remaining within your designated learning bubble and not mixing with other students outside of your bubble, event during break periods. You must maintain social distancing, and not congregate in public spaces. You must wear a face mask – unless exempt for health reasons.
There are things you can do to help reduce the risk of you and anyone around you getting ill with COVID-19
· Wash your hands with soap and water often – do this for at least 20 seconds
· Use hand sanitiser gel if soap and water are not available
· Wash your hands as soon as you get to College and when you return home
· Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue or your sleeve (not your hands) when you cough or sneeze
· Put used tissues in the bin immediately and wash your hands afterwards – catch it, bin it, kill it!
Do I have to wear a face mask?
Masks must be worn at all times while onsite, unless exempt for health reasons. This decision has been taken by the College, to ensure further safety of our students and staff, and minimise the risk of infection spreading. You can request an exemption by contacting the College Additional Learning Support Team: als.ncc@nelsongroup.ac.uk
Should I attend college if I have been advised to shield?
The Government previously recommend that clinically extremely vulnerable students should not return to college until at least 31st March 2021 and therefore students who fall into this category have been supported to access all learning remotely.
However, as of 1st April 2021 the government has announced that clinically extremely vulnerable students can return to on site learning and should therefore attend college as normal.
For further detailed guidance in relation to return to learning for clinically extremely vulnerable students please visit: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/guidance-on-shielding-and-protecting-extremely-vulnerable-persons-from-covid-19/guidance-on-shielding-and-protecting-extremely-vulnerable-persons-from-covid-19
If you have any college related questions about this matter please email nurse@nelsongroup.ac.uk
What does social distancing mean?
This means that students and staff must keep 2m apart while on campus. Social distancing includes not hugging other students, shaking hands or any physical contact. You must not congregate in any public spaces.
Am I allowed to meet people outside of my bubble for lunch/break periods?
No, you must not meet anybody that is outside of your learning bubble for lunch or break periods. This is really important for the safety of yourself and others. The Refectory is limited to a ‘grab and go’ system to support with this and you will have been informed of the areas in which you can eat your lunch.
What are the symptoms of coronavirus?
You should look for any of the following symptoms:
- New continuous cough
- Fever (a temperature of 37.8°C or higher)
- Loss of, or change in, normal sense of taste or smell (anosmia)
What do I do if I develop symptoms onsite?
If you develop symptoms while at College, you must tell a member of staff, who will isolate you in the nearest vacant room. The member of staff will contact the First Aid Team, who will work with colleagues to get in touch with your emergency contact for transport home. You will be advised to book a test as soon as possible and share the results of this with College.
*For those over 18, you will be able to make your own way home – when agreed with a member of staff
What do I do if I develop symptoms at home?
If you develop these symptoms, however mild, at any point, you must stay at home and inform College. You will be advised to book a test as soon as possible and share the results of this with College: https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/coronavirus-covid-19/testing-and-tracing/get-a-test-to-check-if-you-have-coronavirus/
For general guidance visit:
https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/covid-19-stay-at-home-guidance
Please follow the normal College absence procedures by calling the student absence line on 01282 440293 or email absence@nelsongroup.ac.uk. Please do not contact your tutor directly.
What will happen if there’s a positive COVID-19 case at College?
We will follow guidance from Public Health England, the local authority, and the Department for Education by identifying close contacts of anyone who tests positive for COVID-19. Close contacts will be advised by text and College email with information about what they need to do and how long they will have to self-isolate until. The emergency contact of students aged 18 and under will also receive a notification by text message. Close contacts are not required to get a COVID-19 test unless they develop symptoms.
Learning will continue at home for any students required to self-isolate. This may take different forms, depending on how many are isolating and the nature of the subject and lessons. Your teachers will let you know which format your learning will take.
If there is a positive COVID-19 case at College, and you have not been directly affected, you will not need any specific treatment or to change what you are doing. You should continue your activities as normal, unless you are experiencing symptoms of COVID-19. You are being asked to monitor your own health, looking out for any symptoms, such as a cough, loss of or change in taste/smell or fever. You are expected to attend lessons as planned, and continue to stay in your learning bubbles and maintain social distancing practices.
For general information on self-isolation click here: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/how-to-quarantine-when-you-arrive-in-england#coronavirus-symptoms-what-to-do
Where can I collect a COVID-19 test kit?
There are two main types of test currently being used to detect if someone has COVID-19:
• Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) tests – these are used to test people with symptoms of COVID-19
• Lateral Flow Device antigen (LFD) tests – these are used to test people without symptoms (known as asymptomatic testing)
The government is recommending students at college test themselves twice a week at home using LFD tests. Kits can be collected from Student Services.
For more information on LFD home testing, visit our testing FAQs page:
What do I do if I get a negative test result?
You can return to College provided you are well enough to do so. However, if any of the following apply, you must continue to self-isolate:
– You are a close contact of someone who has tested positive (including members of your household/support bubble)
– You have been informed to self isolate by NHS Test and Trace
– A member of your household/support bubble has symptoms and they are awaiting a test result
– You have recently returned from a country outside
If you have been symptomatic and taken a PCR (lab processed) test, you can return to College provided you are well enough to do so. However, if any of the following apply, you must continue to self-isolate:
– You are a close contact of someone who has tested positive (including members of your household/support bubble)
– You have been informed to self isolate by NHS Test and Trace
– A member of your household/support bubble has symptoms and they are awaiting a test result
– You have recently returned from a country outside of the England travel corridor.
https://www.gov.uk/guidance/coronavirus-covid-19-travel-corridors
If you have taken a LFD (home kit) test, you must report your negative result to this website. You will receive a text or email from NHS Test & Trace confirming that you have reported your test result.
You also need to tell the college the test result by emailing health@nelsongroup.ac.uk.
What do I do if I get a positive test result?
If you have taken a PCR (lab processed) test, you must ensure you remain at home and inform the College immediately by emailing health@nelsongroup.ac.uk . You must continue with self-isolation for the defined period of time given to you by Test and Trace. You must not come into college and members of your household and any support bubbles you are part of must also self-isolate for 10 days from when you first started showing symptoms, or 10 days from the date of your test if you did not have symptoms.
If you have taken an LFD (home kit) test, you must report your positive result to this website and to the College immediately by emailing health@nelsongroup.ac.uk . You will receive a text or email from NHS Test & Trace confirming that you have reported your result, with information to book a confirmatory PCR test. You must not come into college and members of your household and any support bubbles you are part of should also self-isolate immediately in line with NHS Test and Trace guidance for 10 days. If the confirmatory PCR test returns a negative result, self-isolation can end and you can return to college.
