There may be a time during this semester when you need to self-isolate here on campus, and so we’ve got together a handy guide for knowing how and when to isolate, how to report this to the University and how to survive your 14-day isolation.
USE THE NHS APP
We’d strongly encourage you to download the NHS COVID-19 app and begin to use it to check in to any venue that has a QR code to scan. These will be displayed in locations such as study areas and food outlets on campus, along with many wider venues across the city. By using the app correctly you’ll be notified if you have come into contact with a positive case, which may advise you to self-isolate to keep others safe.
In addition to use of the NHS COVID-19 app, if someone you live with experiences symptoms or has tested positive for COVID-19, you will need to self-isolate. You can read more about when to self-isolate on the NHS website.
WHO TO CONTACT
All students who test positive or who are self-isolating should also notify the University themselves through our eForm. You will not be in any trouble for testing positive or self-isolating, but we need to know that this is happening so we can ensure the right support is available for you, and those around you. We will tell your School if you have submitted a report but if you would like to discuss your teaching and learning circumstances, including mitigating circumstances please speak to them directly.
Once you have filled in the form it will also help to ensure that our support services are available to support you. Please also inform your Res Life Team.
If you have any concerns you can contact coronavirus-isolation-support@manchester.ac.uk.
HOW TO SELF ISOLATE
If you need to self-isolate, you will need to stay at home for 14 days. This could be your room, flat or household depending on your living arrangements, and if you’re living in halls your accommodation team will inform you on how each hall of residence will be isolating.
- When self-isolating, you should not leave your accommodation, unless:
- It is for a medical emergency
- To attend a prearranged medical appointment (including for a Covid-19 test)
- To access a designated outside space, in the grounds of your accommodation
- In the event of a fire alarm
- You should not attend any classes or events in-person, on campus
- You should not have face-to-face contact with anyone outside your ‘household’ (the people who live in the same flat as you).
Watch one of our students talk about self-isolation and what this means, or read self-isolation tips from one of our international students.
If you have family members or other friends close by, you should consider letting them know that you are self-isolating, so that they can offer additional support such as bringing you supplies, if they are able to.
BEING PREPARED
As the need to self-isolate can happen quickly and unexpectedly, we’d advise you to make sure you have some basic supplies in stock, so that you’re prepared in case you need to self-isolate. Items such as long life milk, tinned foods and pasta are ideal to keep in your cupboard. There’s no need to stockpile certain items, just get what you need and there’ll be enough for everyone else too.
It’s also a good idea to get yourself into a healthy routine so that, if you do need to self-isolate, you can keep your day structured and they won’t all blend into one. Unless you’re feeling really unwell, try to get up when it’s daylight and go to bed at a reasonable time, eat regular meals and snacks and tune into lectures or social events online if you’re able to.
ACCESSING SUPPORT SERVICES
Self-isolation can be pretty challenging, and so the University is here to support you in any way that we can. If you live in a University hall of residence, we will ensure you have a buddy in place to assist with day-to-day activities such as food shopping and our ResLife teams will stay in touch with you over the phone.
Your academic School can help you if you become ill and this impacts your studies, with extra teaching support available and support to get you through the next few weeks with as little impact on your studies as possible.
If you’re feeling lonely or just need a chat, a Check-In and Chat volunteer from the University is available to give you a call just to talk to you about how you’re doing in these unusual times. To request a one-to-one call with one of our volunteers, please fill in your details at the here. You can also contact the service on keepintouch@manchester.ac.uk.
MORE INFORMATION
- For up-to-date information on student safety and what to do if you have symptoms, head to our welcome website and read the Self-isolation guidance for students.
- Read all our Coronavirus FAQs here.
- Additional information on quarantining in halls of residence from the Accommodation team.