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Government Advice

In line with government expectations, the University of Buckingham has continued to deliver teaching throughout the coronavirus pandemic. In accordance with public health guidelines, we have put measures place to ensure we are minimising risk to students and staff.

Even if government restrictions prevent our students studying with us on campus, we are still able offer an engaging online university experience. This includes the high-quality teaching our students expect as well as other online services to support their wellbeing.

 

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Current restrictions in England
Remember, ‘Hands. Face. Space’
International students
Vaccine
External Resources

 

Current restrictions in England

The University of Buckingham expects students and staff to be aware of the coronavirus restrictions in their own area at all times.

The Prime Minister has announced a national lockdown and instructed people to stay at home to control the virus, protect the NHS and save lives.

Find out what you can and cannot do here: National lockdown – Stay at Home

Further guidance on how to protect yourself and others can be found at Coronavirus (COVID-19).

Please note this national guidance applies to England only. There is different guidance in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.

 

Remember, ‘Hands. Face. Space’

  • Hands: wash your hands regularly and for 20 seconds
  • Face: wear a face covering in indoor settings where social distancing may be difficult, and where you will come into contact with people you do not normally meet
  • Space: stay 2 metres apart from people you do not live with where possible, or 1 metre with extra precautions in place (such as wearing face coverings)

In all circumstances, you should follow the guidance on meeting others safely.

The above guidance is for people who are fit and well. There is additional advice for:

International students

Students who are not currently in England should check the official advice for their own country on a frequent basis.

Please note that the university is offering its courses online until at least 11th June (the end of the Spring Term). You should not try to travel to England if you can study effectively online.

Before attempting to travel to England you should visit the government website for full details of the current travel restrictions.

It is important for anyone who is hoping to travel to England to be aware of the new enforcement measures that will come into force on 15th February. These include heavy financial penalties and potential jail time for non-compliance.

 

As of 15th February, the following restrictions apply:

You cannot travel to the UK if you’ve visited or passed through a country where travel to the UK is banned in the last 10 days, unless you’re:

  • a British national
  • an Irish national
  • anyone with residence rights in the UK

 

If you are allowed to enter England and you have visited or passed through a country where travel to the UK is banned in the last 10 days, you must:

Before you travel you must:

  • take a coronavirus (COVID-19) test and get a negative result during the 3 days before you travel.
  • book a managed quarantine hotel where you will quarantine and be tested for COVID-19. Please note you will need to meet the cost of this yourself.
  • complete a passenger locator formwith details of where you will quarantine when you arrive. You must provide a quarantine package booking reference number to complete your passenger locator form

 

If you are allowed to enter England and you have not visited or passed through a country where travel to the UK is banned in the last 10 days must:

Before you travel 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
  • complete a passenger locator form with details of where you will quarantine when you arrive and the travel test package booking reference number

Vaccine

The UK COVID-19 vaccines delivery plan is currently underway but not everyone in the UK is eligible for the vaccine at this time. People who are most at risk from the complications of COVID-19 are being offered the COVID-19 vaccination. However, everyone is expected to continue to follow the guidance, even those people who have received a COVID-19 vaccination.#

Drop-in COVID-19 vaccination sessions available for people aged 18 from a number of vaccination centres across Bedfordshire, Luton and Milton Keynes without the need for an appointment – making it even easier to get protected against COVID-19. Full details available from the Bedfordshire, Luton & Milton Keynes NHS Clinical Commissioning Group.

 

External Resources

Boris Johnson announces new England lockdown

National lockdown – Stay at Home

Coronavirus (Covid-19) guidance from the government

Stay at home: guidance for households with possible or confirmed coronavirus (COVID-19) infection

Coronavirus (COVID-19): Meeting with others safely (social distancing)

Why you have to wait for your COVID-19 vaccine

Face coverings: when to wear one, exemptions, and how to make your own

Advice from Thames Valley Police

Advice from Cheshire Constabulary

Overview of Coronavirus (Covid-19) from the NHS

Download the NHS COVID-19 app today

How to use QR codes to check into a venue

NHS 111 service

Full Fact fights bad information

World Health Organisation – myth busters

COVID-19: rapid tests for use in community pharmacies or at home