Find out what the new lockdown measures mean for City.

Published Friday, 5th February, 2021 in University news

Following an increase in the number of coronavirus (COVID-19) cases across parts of England, the Government has announced a national lockdown which will be reviewed on Monday 15th February.

At City, the majority of teaching and assessment will begin online as planned and will remain online until at least Monday 8th March, pending the Government’s review. There is limited in-person teaching scheduled for students in the School of Health Sciences who are on critical worker courses, which the Government has confirmed should continue as planned.

Students not on these courses should remain where you are wherever possible and start your term online.

If you do need to use a PC or study space, please ensure you book this before you come to campus as you must have an in-person teaching session or a booked study space to be on campus. While on campus you must carry your student ID card and wear a face covering (over the mouth and nose) at all times unless you are exempt.

As mixing in groups is not allowed, there will be no group study spaces available to book on campus – please continue to do any group work on Microsoft Teams or Zoom. If you have any questions about this, please contact your Course Office.

If you are a Postgraduate Research student and require specialist equipment which you cannot access from home, please contact your Research Supervisor.

Accessing our campus

In line with the latest Government guidance, from Monday 11th January we will be reopening Northampton Square Library and opening some additional bookable individual study spaces at Northampton Square and Bunhill Row until the lockdown is reviewed on Monday 15th February, to support you with your studies and assessments. The cafés on the ground floor at Northampton Square and Bunhill Row will also open for takeaway food and drink – you can find the opening times on the Student Hub.

If you are on campus for scheduled in-person teaching or for a particular reason such as needing to access a booked study space, we’ve opened up the Courtyard Café on campus to provide you with a space to eat and drink. Whilst you are eating and drinking without your face covering please  ensure you sit two metres apart from each other to maintain social distancing and keep yourself and others safe.

The new COVID-19 strain can pass more easily between people, so you should only come onto campus if you have scheduled in-person teaching or a particular reason for being on campus, such as to access a booked study space.

It is even more important that when you are on campus you follow the guidelines we have set out to help keep our City community safe:

  • Wear a face covering (covering your nose and mouth) at all times whilst on campus (unless exempt)
  • Give each other space
  • Wash or sanitise your hands regularly
  • Wipe down surfaces before and after use.

You can find further information about what you need to do before you come to campus and when on campus on the Student Hub.

Speaking to our support services

City’s student support services are available to access online and you can find information and contact details on the Student Hub

Summary of what you can and cannot do during lockdown

People are only allowed to leave their homes for the following reasons:

  • shop for basic necessities, for you or a vulnerable person.
  • go to work, or provide voluntary or charitable services, if you cannot reasonably do so from home.
  • exercise with your household (or support bubble) or one other person, this should be limited to once per day, and you should not travel outside your local area.
  • meet your support bubble or childcare bubble where necessary, but only if you are legally permitted to form one.
  • seek medical assistance or avoid injury, illness or risk of harm (including domestic abuse).
  • attend education or childcare – this applies only to those who are eligible to do so.

You can find more information about what restrictions are in place during the National Lockdown on the Government website.

Higher Education provision will remain online until mid-February for all students except those on critical worker courses. Students not on these courses should remain where they are wherever possible and start their term online.