The ‘student travel window’ will take place between 3^rd – 9^th December following the four week period of national lockdown restrictions, in the hope it will reduce the risk of transmission to students’ families and friends back home. Following the travel window, all face-to-face teaching at Beds will have moved online by the 7^th December, although professional placements will continue until notified by the relevant Faculty.

For students who are planning to travel home for Christmas, the University is now in the process of arranging optional asymptomatic Covid-19 tests, so that individuals can have peace of mind before leaving the campus and their accommodation.

Professor Rebecca Bunting, Vice Chancellor, said:

We are pleased to be able to offer our University’s student community the opportunity to be tested before travelling home to be with their loved ones this Christmas. The safety of our students is our number one priority and we hope our engagement with the asymptomatic NHS Test and Trace programme will help inform and develop future testing plans for the country.

The University will be hosting two NHS Test and Trace centres at the Bedford and Luton campuses in partnership with the Government’s Department of Health and Social Care, offering students free Lateral Flow tests. These centres will be designated to testing those who present no symptoms but who want to be sure they aren’t infected ahead of the winter break.

All students; from today until the 9th of December you can book on-campus Asymptomatic Covid-19 Tests before you travel home for the winter break! For this type of test you’ll need 2 tests taken 3 days apart; please book here: https://t.co/K2Qjfu0aN3 👈 #UniofBeds #BedsSU pic.twitter.com/lYBwxAvoF6

— uniofbeds (@uniofbeds) November 30, 2020

Lateral Flow tests detect the presence or absence of coronavirus by applying a swab or saliva sample to the device’s absorbent pad. The sample runs along the surface of the pad, showing a visual positive or negative result dependent on the presence of the virus.

Progress of the Lateral Flow testing programme at the University of Bedfordshire will be analysed carefully alongside other universities, to assess how this type of public testing could help to get the country back on its feet in the fight against the pandemic.

The UK’s Health Minister, Lord Bethell, said:

Innovations such as Lateral Flow testing hold the key to the next phase of our ambition to see mass, rapid testing available to people across the country.

I’m delighted that the University of Bedfordshire is working with us in using the latest technology and I look forward to seeing the fruits of their labour, both in helping target the virus locally, and helping find ways to roll this technology out further soon.

Validated by Public Health England, the tests are entirely free and are deemed safe, offering reliable results. Students can book a test (available from 30^th November) through the University by visiting: http://beds.ac.uk/covid19test

For any students who plan to stay on campus over the winter break, University accommodation will remain open. Those who are not able to travel home, such as international students, or whose student accommodation is their permanent residence, the University’s Student Support services will also be accessible throughout the festive period.

The University is awaiting guidance from the Government around plans for students’ return to campus and accommodation. Students are advised to keep an eye on Bedfordshire’s Covid-19 advice pages for further news and updates: www.beds.ac.uk/coronavirus