Covid-19 testing
The Government have reaffirmed this afternoon that we will be sticking with the “Plan B” strategy, which includes mask wearing, vaccinations, working from home where possible and encouraging self-testing. As you return to work following the Christmas break, please bear in mind the University’s Covid-19 safety rules so that we can continue to protect our staff and students as best we can.
Before coming back onto campus please ensure that you do a lateral flow test and then test twice weekly thereafter if you continue to work on campus. You must report the result of every test on the government website. For guidance on how to do this, please click here for a step-by-step guide.
The Government have just announced that the rules concerning seeking a confirmatory PCR test will be changing. From 11 January in England, people who receive positive lateral flow device (LFD) test results for COVID-19 should report their result on GOV.UK and must self-isolate immediately but will not need to take a follow-up PCR test. Until then the current rules still apply.
Staff that test positive should inform their line manager. Line managers should report all positive tests and self-isolation periods to HR. We have on-campus collection points for home Covid-19 Lateral Flow testing kits. There is no stock currently at our Putteridge Bury campus.
You can collect your testing kits from:
Please remember you can order home Covid-19 testing kits via the government website or get tested at local community testing centres in Luton, Bedford, Milton Keynes, Aylesbury, London Bridge and Birmingham.
If you have any unanswered questions surrounding coronavirus, we recommend you contact your Line Manager, Head of Department or HR Advisor.
Face Coverings
The Department for Education has recently changed their guidance and expects that students wear face coverings in classrooms and when moving around campus, unless they are exempt. Teaching staff are not required to wear masks in the classroom but may do so if they choose to. We do expect all staff to wear a face covering when moving around campus and in communal areas.
If you have a hidden disability and are exempt from wearing face coverings, Sunflower Lanyards can be requested from the Disability Network by emailing charmaine.brady@beds.ac.uk