COVID-19 Advice @ Nottingham Trent Students' Union

COVID-19 Advice

Updated: 1 December 2020

On Wednesday 2^nd December England’s National Lockdown comes to an end and the new Tiers start on the same day. Nottinghamshire is in Tier 3, you can find the rules for your location here. The Tiers are different than those in force before the National Lockdown.

What COVID-19 means for you and your student life

The global pandemic has affected people's lives in many ways, and student life is no exception. While NTSU has adapted its venues and services to ensure students' safety, you also have a part to play as a NTU student and a member of the local community.

A full breakdown of what the new Tiers means for England can be found on the following Government webpage and a breakdown for HE students in particular can be found here. You can also read what these restrictions mean in several different languages.

The main rules in the new tier 3

Across all tiers you should remember ‘Hands, Face, Space’. In Tier 3 specifically;

You can't mix with anybody you do not live with, or who is not in your support bubble, indoors, or in private gardens and pub gardens.
You can meet in a group of up to six in other outdoor spaces, such as parks, beaches or countryside.
Shops, gyms and personal care services (such as hairdressing) can reopen (if Covid-secure)
Hospitality venues - such as bars, pubs, cafes and restaurants must stay closed, except for delivery and takeaway services
Spectator sports cannot resume
Indoor entertainment venues - such as bowling alleys and cinemas - must stay closed
People are advised not to travel to and from tier three areas

Breaching the rules in the Tiers may result in increased infection risk, police action including fines of up to £10,000, criminal proceedings in addition to disciplinary action by NTU. This disciplinary action, if a case is proven, can result in anything from fines right through to an expulsion from the university.

NTSU has adapted its services to be COVID-safe in line with Government guidance;

Our Information & Advice Service are fully open for appointments.
Our officers and academic reps are talking with students and liaising with university and local authorities to represent your views and experiences.
We are suspending in person events in line with teaching moving online from 9^th December. We are however working with our student societies to continue to run online activities and events.
Our shops are open until the end of term so you can buy food, drink, snacks and branded clothing safely on campus, or online.
Our coffee shops are closed during the lockdown.
Our buildings are still open as study spaces until the end of term but only NTU students will be able to gain access using their student card.

See our opening times

If you (or a housemate) have symptoms

If you or anyone you live with shows symptoms of COVID-19, all members of your household should self-isolate in line with Government guidance. This is normally 10 days for the individual showing symptoms and 14 days for the rest of the household. NHS Test and Trace will let you know when you no longer need to isolate. If you fail is isolate when legally required to, you could be fined £1000-£10,000.

You should also complete NTU's tracking form to let the University know your situation. This will cover you for non-attendance of classes and help NTU to support you. If you show symptoms, you should also get tested through the NHS. You can book a test here.

COVID-19 symptoms include:

A new, continuous cough
A high temperature
A loss of, or change in, your normal sense of taste or smell

Self-isolation - what you need to know

If you are self-isolating, you will need to fill in the NTU Tracker form. This is different from the NHS Test & Trace system. It helps you get support from NTU and can be used as evidence if you need to submit a Notice of Exceptional circumstances (NEC).

You can access your course and the library remotely to continue your studies. There are online events and activities you can access too. If you are not self-isolating but know people who are, do what you can to support them without putting yourself at risk.

You can find the latest guidance on testing and self-isolating at www.nhs.uk/coronavirus. You can access this information in video format if you prefer.

Steps to stop spreading the virus

Wash your hands regularly
Keep your distance from your housemates and use separate towels
Prepare your meals in the kitchen when no-one else is using it
Disinfect surfaces you have touched after use

Wearing face coverings

Face coverings should be used when you’re in communal areas, corridors and lifts on NTU campus to help keep you and others safe. This includes building foyers and libraries. So long as social distancing is in place students can remove them when seated in dedicated study spaces which are COVID-19 secure. NTU is now encouraging students to wear face coverings during face to face teaching sessions, especially when requested to do so by your tutors.  You do not need to wear a face covering if you are exempt.  

You must also wear a mask in any essential shops that are open throughout the lockdown.

You do not currently have to wear a mask in NTSU buildings (except in those areas where you are legally required to including our shops) but you must adhere to social distancing rules and follow signposted routes around our buildings.

Signage is in place around the NTU estate to make it clear when and where you should wear a face covering. Some people are exempt from wearing a mask. You can find more information about exemptions here.

Ignoring the rules

Following these guidelines benefits you and everybody around you. Ignoring them could result in you facing penalties including:

£200 for attending a party (doubling for repeated incidents up to a maximum of £6400)
£200 for not wearing a mask (doubling for repeated incidents up to a maximum of £6400)
£10,000 fine for organising or facilitate in the organisation of an illegal gathering
£1000 - £10,000 fine for failing to self-isolate when required to do so by law
The possibility of a disciplinary under the Student Code of Behaviour

Changing Your Living Arrangements 

If you're considering going back home, please be aware that you are legally bound by any accommodation contracts you have signed.

To no longer have any financial obligations regarding your accommodation, you may need to find a replacement tenant. While our Information & Advice Service cannot help you find replacement tenants, we can discuss your tenancy agreement and advise on how to negotiate with your landlord.

Book an appointment with one of our advisors