Coronavirus Updates

Read this letter from Universities minister Michelle Donelan issued after the Prime Minister's 22 February announcements.

Dear All,

Following the announcement last night by the UK Prime Minister, Boris Johnson, that a national lockdown has commenced, we have a challenging start to 2021. Whilst the continuing restrictions are extremely tough on us all, it is hugely inspiring to receive messages and actions of positivity and resilience from many in our community and I wish you all happiness, health and fulfilment for the new year. I have stated previously that our University community engaged and working together is a powerful and positive force – together we will continue to move forward positively and to achieve great things.

The University has been and continues to be well-prepared in delivering a high-quality, careers-focused education throughout the pandemic and in managing changes to Covid-19 transmission/government guidance throughout this academic year. Following on from my message of 31st December 2020 updating you on the implications of government Covid-19 guidance on our University, please find a further update below. 

The UK is now in national lockdown until at least 15th February when government guidance is subject to review. You must not leave, or be outside of your home except where necessary. New laws reinforcing the restrictions will come into force today. 

Higher Education provision will remain online (University institutional Tier 4 campus status) until mid-February for all except future critical worker courses. As previously communicated, any teaching, learning and assessment through January will be on-line with a restricted number of clinical and practice-based assessments scheduled as planned on-campus. Students can access their assessment schedule here.

Week 1 of the Spring term commences at the University of East London on Monday 1st February 2021 (please refer to the 20/21 academic calendar). The University will continue teaching and learning on-line (at University operational Tier 4 status) until at least mid-February when government guidance is subject to review. A small number of clinical courses will commence the new term at University institutional Tier 3 campus status (whilst the majority of timetabled teaching and learning will be on-line, clinical practice will take place one-day per week on-campus). Further information about your course will be provided by course leaders via Moodle/TrackMyFuture.

Essential University campus services and support at both Docklands and Stratford Campus will remain open (e.g. library, Halls of Residence). University Square Stratford will be closed during the period of national lockdown. Updates about on-campus access to all University services can be found here – please note on-line services remain fully available.

For any student or staff member who fulfil the necessary exemptions of the lockdown restrictions to come onto campus, please ensure you are in receipt of a negative Covid test (unless you have had a positive test within 90 days). Quick turn-around asymptomatic Covid-19 testing continues to be available for weekly testing of students and staff at Arena 2 at the SportsDock throughout the period the University is operating at Tier 4 status.

Please note that the government has detailed additional advice for people who are clinically extremely vulnerable to coronavirus and households with a possible or confirmed coronavirus infection. If you are clinically extremely vulnerable you should not attend work, school, college or university, and limit the time you spend outside the home.

Some of us may be feeling anxious and concerned about the implications of the national lockdown. Please know we are here for you and will do our utmost to support you as you study, work and live through the continuing restrictions. Please remember that wellbeing resources are available via our Well-beingPortal including Togetherall – providing free, confidential, 24-hour online support. The University Hardship Fund continues to be open for application for those students who are struggling financially. In addition, the University has allocated an additional £1/4million specifically to support students experiencing digital poverty which is available for application now.

Further information about the implications of the national lockdown for new and returning students and for both international students and students residing in Halls of Residence will be sent out as soon as possible. In addition, students with queries can contact each school via the email:

School of Health Sport & BioScience: HealthSportBioscience@uel.ac.uk
Royal Docks Business School - buslaw@uel.ac.uk
School of Education & Communities: EDUCOMSchooloffice@uel.ac.uk
Architecture Computing and Engineering: ace@uel.ac.uk
Arts and Creative Industries: aci.uel@uel.ac.uk
School of Psychology: psy.uel@uel.ac.uk

With best wishes,
Amanda

Professor Amanda J. Broderick
BA (Hons) PhD DipM DipMRS PGCTL FRSA MBGS FCIM FHEA
Vice-Chancellor & President

The Government announced a 4-step plan to ease lockdown in England on Monday 22nd February. For universities that plan includes students on higher education courses requiring “practical teaching, specialist facilities or on-site assessments” returning to campus on 8 March.

Guided by data, the government will review the return of students on all other courses by the end of the Easter Holidays.

Read this letter from Minister of State for Universities Michelle Donelan for further information.

Visit this page for up to date advice from the UK government on travel restrictions. 

Those students who are undertaking training and study for the following courses should return to face-to-face learning as planned and be tested twice, upon arrival or self-isolate for 10 days:

• Medicine & dentistry
• Subjects allied to medicine/health
• Education (initial teacher training)
• Social work
• Courses which require Professional, Statutory and Regulatory Body (PSRB) assessments and or mandatory activity which is scheduled for January and which cannot be rescheduled.

Students who do not study these courses should remain where they are wherever possible, and start their term online, as facilitated by the university until at least mid-February.

If you live at university, you should not move back and forward between your permanent home and student home during term time.

For those students who are eligible for face-to-face teaching, you can meet in groups of more than your household as part of your formal education or training, where necessary.

Students should socially distance from anyone you do not live with, wherever possible.

We have a quick turn-around asymptomatic Covid-19 testing centre, at Arena 2 in SportsDock ( DocklandsCampus). You can book your test ahead of your visit, using this form. 

Staff and students are highly encourages to attend and play their part in helping to reduce the spread of the virus and to commit to the University of East London Covid-19 Community Pledge. 

When visiting campus, please commit to our Covid-19 community pledge and remember to follow our Daily 123.