COVID-19 Update

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Guidance for learners  

Update March 2022

There are no longer any official Government restrictions in place.  Government guidance advises that although the legal requirement to self-isolate after a positive test has been removed, it is still recommended.

As long as you do not have symptoms you are no longer required to isolate if someone in your household has Covid-19.  However, if you are a close contact of someone with Covid-19 you are advised to test for at least seven days.

Please continue to maintain good hand hygeine and use sensible precautions such as 'catch it, bin it, kill it'.

You may continue to wear face coverings in College if you wish.

 

Update 21 January 2022

Following Government guidance, face coverings should still be worn by staff and students when moving around the premises, in corridors and communal areas but can be removed in classrooms or workshops. Face coverings do not need to be worn by staff or students when outdoors on the premises. 

Guidance is being updated frequently, check this page for further updates.  All other 'Plan B' measures have been lifted.

Latest Coronavirus testing government advice.

 

Update 4 January 2022

Following Government guidance, from 4 January face coverings should be worn by staff and students when moving around the premises, in corridors and communal areas and in classrooms or workshops. Face coverings do not need to be worn by staff or students when outdoors on the premises. This does not apply in situations where wearing a face covering would impact on the ability to take part in exercise or strenuous activity, for example during sports lessons and physical activity.

The recommendation to wear face coverings in classrooms and other teaching areas such as workshops is being introduced for a limited time, check this page for further updates.  All other 'Plan B' measures remain in place - see 9 December 2021 update below.

Latest Coronavirus testing government advice.

Update 9 December 2021

Follow the Government announcement to follow ‘Plan B’ measures, please note the following:

Face coverings

  • Face coverings should be worn by students, staff and visitors in communal areas until further notice, unless medically exempt. Students must also wear a face covering when travelling on public transport and should wear it on dedicated transport to and from college.
  • The Government does not recommend that pupils and staff wear face coverings in classrooms at this time.
  • From 13 December anyone exempt from wearing a face covering for medical reasons will be asked to wear a lanyard to signify this.

Attendance

  • All students will attend College as normal.  The Government have made it clear that they expect all colleges to continue face-to-face teaching and learning.  We will not be moving classes online.
  • Some East Riding College non-teaching staff will work from home to help minimise the risk of transmission, but only where this does not affect teaching and learning.

 

Update 29 November

Yesterday the government changed the guidance on face coverings. The guidance now states that:

  • Face coverings should be worn in communal areas.  We are asking you to wear face coverings in all corridors, social areas, food services areas etc and only remove them when you are seated and eating and drinking.  
  • Students should continue to wear face coverings on public and college transport.
  • Close contacts of people with the new Covid variant Omicron should isolate for 10 days, regardless of vaccination status. If you have been a close contact of someone with the Omicron variant, you will be contacted directly by NHS track and trace and instructed to isolate. 

 

Previous Updates

Update 14 September

  • There is no longer a requirement for staff and learners to record their home lateral flow test results with the College however Home Testing results should continue to be recorded whether Negative or Positive on the NHS test site which is available at this link: https://www.gov.uk/report-covid19-result
  • As there is no longer a requirement for the College to track-and-trace, we will no longer be operating 'bubbles'.
  • Unvaccinated young people up to the age of 18 years and 6 months and fully vaccinated adults, are no longer required to self-isolate if they live in the same household as someone with COVID-19, or are a close contact of someone with COVID-19.
  • Children and young people who attend an education or childcare setting and who have been identified (by NHS Test and Trace) as a close contact, should continue to attend their setting as normal.
  • Home test kits shall continue to be available to both staff and learners for collection from the eLearning centres in support of Government advice to undertake twice weekly testing.  These are to be used at home before attending College.
  • There are still testing centres at our Bridlington and Beverley campuses, should students need support to undertake a test.  Ask a member of staff.
  • Additional cleaning regimes are still in place for high traffic areas and hand saitiser is provided across all College campuses.  Screens are still in use in some areas.

Update 19 July

Many Covid restrictions were lifted on Monday 19th July. Following the updated guidance from the Department of Education specific to Further Education settings the following changes will be made:

  • With social distancing rules ceasing on 19th July the College shall be removing the one way systems from all sites.
  • Whilst plastic screens are no longer necessary, we have taken the decision to retain those already in place at receptions, eLearning centres etc.
  • Similarly, the provision of hand sanitiser stations shall continue.
  • Face coverings are no longer advised for students, staff or visitors in classrooms or communal areas. People may continue to wear face coverings if they wish.
  • The Government is removing the requirement to wear face coverings in law but expects and recommends they are worn in enclosed and crowded spaces where an individual may come into contact with people they do not normally meet. This includes public transport and dedicated transport to College.
  • Education settings will no longer be expected to undertake contact tracing.  We shall still need to report positive cases.
  • Adults will need to self-isolate if identified as a close contact through Test and Trace, and are not fully vaccinated.

Update 13 May

Wearing of face coverings

From 17 May, in line with Step 3 of the Government roadmap, face coverings are no longer recommended for learners in classrooms or communal areas. Face coverings will also no longer be recommended for staff in classrooms but should be worn by staff and visitors in situations outside of classrooms where social distancing is not possible (for example, when moving around in corridors and communal areas).

In our commercial training environments, such as our Inspire salons, restaurants, travel agency and motor vehicle garages, learners and staff must comply with the relevant sector guidance for working safely during COVID-19 in those settings.

Anyone who wants to continue wearing a face covering in College can continue.

 

General Information

Staying COVID safe

All learners and families are urged to continue to access and follow the relevant online advice and guidance from Public Health England.

Please be assured that appropriate measures are in place to ensure that the College environment is safe to attend and learn effectively.  

See our summary of the steps we have taken

View a copy of our risk assessment

 

Mental health and well-being support

 

Working safely online

Here's some links to where you can seek additional support and advice with online safety:

Further resources for parents can be found on our parents page