This is an update on COVID-19 testing over the Easter Break and into the Summer Term.
Easter Break
As you are aware, we have been successfully offering saliva testing to our staff and students since September 2020.
There is currently a pause in saliva testing over the Easter Break. Drop off points closed temporarily on Friday 26 March.
This pause is because the Hampshire and Isle of Wight Saliva Testing Programme, which is now delivering saliva testing for the University, is moving to a new lab which is not yet working at full capacity.
The continued safety of those who are spending time on campus continues to be our highest priority. To ensure those of you who need to be on campus can continue to test this week and over the Easter break, we have arranged for swab testing to be available.
Staff and students can pick up test-at-home kits for swab testing (officially called Lateral Flow Device (LFD) testing) from community-led testing sites.
All staff and students who are signed up to the saliva testing programme will receive a text or email with this information on Monday 29 March.
Summer Term
As you know, we are waiting for national guidance from the Department for Education regarding the return of students to universities in April. Nevertheless, we are of course planning for students and staff returning from 12 April, as indicated in the Government’s “roadmap”.
In order to prepare for this and guarantee a safe return to campus at the start of the Summer Term, we are preparing for swab testing kits to be available for staff and students directly from the University, in addition to the community-led testing sites. More information will be sent to you about this when it is in place.
As soon as saliva testing is available again, participants will receive a text and email with instructions about when to next take a test.
Testing sites
In Southampton there are four pick up sites, including at Avenue Campus and Guildhall Square.
For Winchester, and other places in Hampshire, visit the County Council website.
Visit the NHS test site finder for other places you can pick up test-at-home kits.
Here is some information on LFD testing.
Questions and support
If you have any questions about testing please contact: [email protected]
There is support available for students. Visit our COVID health and wellbeing pages for more information.
There is support for staff available on the SharePoint site Health & Wellbeing to Health & Safety.
Thank you for your support in keeping our community safe.
