COVID-19

We realise that COVID-19 has had a significant impact on all students, and we are doing everything we can to help provide the support you need.

Trinity is following central University advice and has removed all remaining COVID restrictions from its premises (excluding hospital buildings where NHS guidance continues to apply).

The University’s testing service has closed, face coverings are no longer required in College and University buildings, and staff and students are no longer asked to test twice a week while working and studying on site.

However, it is still important for us all to continue being considerate and to take steps to minimise the risk of infection. In light of the continued risk of COVID-19 transmission, we ask all members of our community to be considerate and continue to take steps to reduce COVID-19 risks. You should: 

• Avoid contact with others if you might be infectious
• Respect other people’s space
• Let fresh air in when indoors
• Keep up to date with COVID vaccinations
• Respect those who choose to wear a face covering.

Visit the university’s health webpage for further details.

Many people with mild respiratory symptoms will have other illnesses, such as a common cold or hay fever, rather than COVID-19. The University and its Health Measures Advisory Group has provided the following advice for staff and students:

• If you test positive for COVID-19, you should remain away from on-site work or study for five days, as this is the most infectious period.
• If you have a fever or more severe illness, whatever the cause, and cannot be tested for COVID-19, you should stay away from on-site work or study until the fever subsides and you are asymptomatic.
• If you have minor respiratory symptoms, you can continue to work or study on site, but, if possible, do a lateral flow test (LFD) to ensure you do not have COVID-19.
• If you have non-COVID respiratory symptoms (or are untested), you should consider wearing a face covering when working or studying on site while you are symptomatic.

Staff and students should continue to report absences to their line manager, supervisor or tutor as they usually would if unable to work or study.

Note that those working or studying in hospital settings should continue to follow all NHS  guidance as appropriate.

Note on symptoms 

Some variants of COVID-19 cause symptoms similar to cold and flu – such as sore throat, headache or runny nose – instead of the fever, new continuous cough, or loss of smell/taste that were the symptoms originally associated with the virus.

The University’s approach is informed by Oxford’s clinical academics and local and national guidance. We will respond to any changes in public health recommendations caused by the virus if and when they occur.

While the government and University have removed remaining restrictions, we are asking our college community to consider others and take measures to keep the community operating safely, as sickness among students and staff can still disrupt your term. 

Let fresh air in when indoors: regularly opening windows and doors increases ventilation and significantly reduces the spread of COVID-19. This is particularly important in areas which are poorly ventilated or where signs indicate the need to do so (although please note that fire doors should remain shut).

Wearing a face covering is now a personal choice and the University's guidance on face coverings has therefore been retired.

While social distancing rules are no longer in place, it is important that we are considerate of each other’s space, particularly with those who are concerned about returning to in-person work and study. Staff and students are expected to respect each other’s space, using the experience of the last two years. Remember that some people may wish to take a more cautious approach, either because of concerns for their own health or that of family members, or because of general anxiety.

The University’s Early Alert PCR testing service has now closed, and you should use the NHS testing service if required instead.

Students and staff are no longer asked to test twice a week while working on site (unless you are in NHS settings). If you have symptoms, however, you can continue to use the LFD tests available in the Lodge.

It is no longer possible to record PCR or LFD results, due to the closure of the Early Alert Service. However, you should continue to log your results via the NHS, and should notify your line manager, supervisor or tutor as you usually would if you are unable to work or study.

Although there is no longer a legal requirement to self-isolate if you test positive, minimising contact with others whilst infectious remains the responsible course of action. Staff and students who test positive are strongly encouraged to stay at home and avoid contact with others for between 5 and 10 days after their positive test. From day 6 onwards, you can safely return to on-site work or study if you have had two negative LFD tests, taken 24 hours apart, and no longer have a temperature.