Coronavirus Information

PUBLISHED: Sunday 2nd January 2022

We hope you had an enjoyable and relaxing Christmas! 

The Spring Term starts on Wednesday 5th January and we look forward to welcoming you back for face-to-face learning.

To reduce the spread of Covid-19 we ask you to:

• complete a Lateral Flow Test before returning to College
• continue to test twice a week (more info below)
• wear a mask in communal areas and classrooms (unless exempt)
• frequently use the hand sanitisers provided or wash your hands
• respect social distancing and keep apart where possible
• get vaccinated (more info below)
• wrap up warm – to increase ventilation, most windows will be open.

We are committed to face-to-face teaching, however, on occasion we may need to switch to online learning or cancel lessons at short notice if a large proportion of the class or the tutor is required to self-isolate. We will endeavour to keep disruption to a minimum and support you the best we can.

 ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

Vaccinations

We're encouraging all students, if possible, to get vaccinated against Covid-19. By getting vaccinated, it can help to protect you, your family and friends and your local community.

You can get a 1st, 2nd or 3rd booster dose of a vaccine, if you're aged 16 or over. You can do this by booking appointments or by visiting your nearest walk-in vaccination centre. Getting your vaccine is easy. https://www.nhs.uk/service-search/find-a-walk-in-coronavirus-covid-19-vaccination-site provides up-to-date-information on where you can get yours.

Collecting your FREE test kits

Over the coming days and weeks we are introducing a new style lateral flow test which requires only a nose swab (rather than throat and nose).

These tests are called orient gene lateral flow tests. For guidance about how to take these new tests please visit: https://youtu.be/ZeX5txiZPyI

Test kits can be collected from:

• Tangier Road Campus (Portsmouth College) reception
• Highbury Campus reception
• North Harbour Training Centre reception
• Arundel Centre A1 (ESOL) reception
• Arundel Centre A2 (Foundation and Resolve) from Samantha Gott
• Flexi Centre, Arundel Street, from Steph Callaway.

Covid-19 symptoms

• a high temperature
• a new, continuous cough
• you’ve lost your sense of smell or taste or it’s changed.

Remember, if you’re showing symptoms of Covid-19 (even mildly), you should not come into college, self-isolate and get a free PCR test. Please remember to contact the College’s Absence Team and let us know you are self-isolating (details below).

Test results

If you test positive, you should:

• immediately self-isolate
• report your results here: https://www.gov.uk/report-covid19-result
• request a PCR test to confirm your result: https://www.gov.uk/get-coronavirus-test
• let the College know you are self-isolating by calling or emailing the relevant absence line/address. 
  Highbury College: 023 9232 8966 or absence@highbury.ac.uk
  Portsmouth College: 023 9234 4377 or attendance@portsmouth-college.ac.uk

If your test result was unclear (void), you should do another test.

Positive, negative and void results should all be reported to NHS Test and Trace at https://www.gov.uk/report-covid19-result.

Self-isolating

Your 7-10-days of isolation start from:

• the day of your positive lateral flow test result if you are not displaying any symptoms (asymptomatic)
• the day of your positive PCR test was undertaken, or
• your first day of symptoms (symptomatic).

Since Wednesday 22 December, the 10-day self-isolation period for people who record a positive PCR test result has been reduced to 7 days in most circumstances, unless you cannot test for any reason. For full and up-to-date rules on self-isolating, please click here

Daily testing for close contacts of COVID-19

If someone you live with (or a close contact) has symptoms, or has tested positive, please continue to attend college if:

• you are fully vaccinated (2 doses)
• you are below the age of 18 years 6 months
• you are taking part in or are currently part of an approved COVID-19 vaccine trial
• you are not able to get vaccinated for medical reasons.

However, you should test daily for 7 days and ensure you are wearing a mask when with others.

If you are over 18 years and 6 months or are not fully vaccinated (2 doses) you will need to self-isolate.

For full and up-to-date rules on self-isolating, please click here

The Latest Government Guidance

The latest government advice and details on current restrictions can be found here: https://www.gov.uk/coronavirus