Self-isolating
You will need to self-isolate if you arrive into the UK from certain countries, are contacted by NHS Test and Trace, or think you have Covid-19.
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What self-isolation requires
You must not leave your home if you're self-isolating.
- Do not go to campus or work
- Do not go on public transport or use taxis
- Do not go out to get food and medicine – order it online or by phone, or ask someone to bring it to you
- Do not have visitors, including friends and family – except for people providing essential care
When you will need to self-isolate
Here are the reasons why you will need to self-isolate and advice on what to do:
Arriving from outside the UK
It may be necessary for students arriving to study with us from outside of the UK to self-isolate for 14 days in line with the UK Government’s latest Covid-19 control measures.
Some countries are exempt from this requirement, it is recommended this guidance is checked regularly as it is subject to change.
If the journey to the UK includes making stops at other countries, these must also be taken into consideration.
If this will affect you, please make plans to stay within your accommodation for this 14-day period. We've contacted people staying in Goldsmiths accommodation about this.
If you live with other people they will not need to self-isolate providing you do not make contact with them and that you do not develop symptoms. There is more about this in our guide.
If you develop symptoms you will need to self-isolate for 10 days and everyone you live with will need to as well. This graphic from GOV.UK explains how this works:
You have Covid-19 symptoms or have tested positive
If you test positive for Covid-19 you must self-isolate for 10 days and follow the advice of the NHS.
If you have any of the main symptoms of Covid-19, you must self-isolate for 14 days and get a test.
The main symptoms of coronavirus are:
- a high temperature – this means you feel hot to touch on your chest or back (you do not need to measure your temperature)
- a new, continuous cough – this means coughing a lot for more than an hour, or 3 or more coughing episodes in 24 hours (if you usually have a cough, it may be worse than usual)
- a loss or change to your sense of smell or taste – this means you've noticed you cannot smell or taste anything, or things smell or taste different to normal
You must read and follow our instructions on what to do if you are ill.
You live with someone who has symptoms or tested positive
If you live with someone who has tested positive you must self-isolate for 14 days.
You must also self-isolate if anyone in your household has one of the main symptoms:
- a high temperature – this means you feel hot to touch on your chest or back (you do not need to measure your temperature)
- a new, continuous cough – this means coughing a lot for more than an hour, or 3 or more coughing episodes in 24 hours (if you usually have a cough, it may be worse than usual)
- a loss or change to your sense of smell or taste – this means you've noticed you cannot smell or taste anything, or things smell or taste different to normal
Watch this BBC video to help you tell if your symptoms are a cold, flu or Covid-19.
Telling Goldsmiths
You must contact the tutors of your face-to-face sessions to tell them you are self-isolating and will not be able to attend.
You don't need to inform anyone else at this point. You do need to tell us if you develop symptoms yourself.
If you are contacted by NHS Test and Trace
The health service in England is operating a Test and Trace service. If someone tests positive for Covid-19 they are asked who they have been in contact with.
NHS Test and Trace will contact these people and tell them to self-isolate if they are at risk.
More about NHS Test and Trace on nhs.uk.
Telling Goldsmiths
You must contact the tutors of your face-to-face sessions to tell them you are self-isolating and will not be able to attend.
You don't need to inform anyone else at this point. You do need to tell us if you develop symptoms yourself.