COVID 19 UPDATES

We’ve put together a checklist to help you remember what we recommend you do before you leave home, when you get to campus, and once you get to your class or meeting room.

Now that teaching and other activities are face-to-face again, please refer to the latest guidance from the UK Government in order to remain risk averse and keep the OBC community safe. When you attend college; help us stay safe by finding out what we’re doing to protect our staff and students and how you can help keep campus as safe as possible:

  • Follow the travel advice

  • Read OBC’s reception safety protocols

    OBC's Reception Safety Protocol

  • Follow the Safety Measures on Campus advice:

    Students and staff must wear a mask or face covering, unless exempt under government guidelines.
    All individuals attending our campuses should maintain a two-metre distance from each other at all times.
    Restrictions should be followed on the maximum number of people in certain rooms / offices at any one time.

When you do visit us on campus, follow this checklist to help make sure you know what to do before you leave home, when you get to campus, and once you get to your class or meeting room.

  • Recommendations before you leave home

    Download the NHS COVID-19 App.
    Order free ‘home self-test kits’ from this site and test yourself daily.
    Upload the results of your ‘Covid-19 self-test’ to the NHS Covid-19 App as soon as you get the result.
    Do not come to the college if you test positive!!

  • Should you be coming to campus?

    • Do you have symptoms of COVID-19? If you or people you live have symptoms of coronavirus don’t come to campus.
    • Have you been in contact with a person who has tested positive? Please read the guidance (summarised below in a-c)
      1. Have you been sent a text to say you have been in contact with someone who recently tested positive? Do not come into college: please order a free PCR test and follow the guidance on how to use it. Only return to the college when you have received your negative result.
      2. Do you know you have been in contact with someone who recently tested positive? Do not come into college: please order a free PCR test and follow the guidance on how to use it. Only return to the college when you have received your negative result.
      3. Do you suspect you have been in contact with someone who recently tested positive? You may come in to college. However, we advise you still take the necessary precautions of testing yourself to be sure.
    • Have you recently attended an event, or venue, where you believe COVID-19 guidelines were breached?If your answer is yes, don’t come to campus. Protect yourself and your community by staying at home.
    • Do you have a class or tutorial scheduled? Check your timetable for any face-to-face activity and check Moodle to make sure it’s going ahead. If you want to meet up with fellow students on or near campus, try to plan your meeting on the same day as you have a class or study space scheduled, so that you minimize the number of days you travel into central London.
    • Car sharing Avoid sharing a car with anyone outside of your household or support bubble. If you have to share a car with someone outside of your household or support bubble, you should open the windows, wear a face covering unless you are exempt, and leave some seats free to social distance.

    Do you know where you're going?

    • Have you planned how to get to campus? Please walk or cycle if you can and follow the safety guidance on page one.
    • Have you got your timing right? Please allow plenty of time to get to your session. Arrive 10-15 minutes before the start of the session (not earlier).
    • Have you agreed a place to meet? If you’re meeting up with a member of staff of fellow students please remember to greet them in a socially distanced way (waving or elbow check: no hugs, no handshakes).

    Have you got everything you need?

    • Have you got your ID card? Please carry your OBC ID card with you at all times as you may be asked to show your card upon entry to campus and buildings.
    • Have you got your face covering? If you can wear a face covering, then you are expected to do so. This applies when you’re on campus, both inside buildings and when moving around campus on OBC owned outdoor space, in offices, labs and teaching spaces.
    • Have you dressed appropriately? Wear layers of clothing so you can stay comfortable during your education sessions: some rooms are naturally ventilated, and windows will be open to allow air circulation. In addition, dressing warmly means you can meet your fellow students outside.
    • Have you downloaded the NHS COVID-19 app? We’re recommending that all visitors use the NHS COVID-19 app to check in to some of our buildings and venues by scanning the QR codes on display.

    When you get to campus

    Social distancing on campus: wherever possible, you should continue to stay 2 metres apart from anyone you do not live with. Where 2 metres is not possible, you can reduce the distance down to a minimum of 1 metre but in such cases, make sure you.

    • Wash your hands more frequently.
    • Minimize the amount of people you do this with.
    • Be part of the community: Do your part, follow the guidance, and help protect vulnerable students and staff.
    • Help each other: There’s lots of guidance to follow, and it can be difficult to keep up. Let’s all help each other to stay safe. If you see someone who isn’t following the guidance, let them know what they need to do.
    • Be respectful: Let’s be kind to each other and remind others to follow the guidance respectfully. Remember – sunflower lanyard carriers may have hidden disabilities and be unable to wear a face-covering. 

    Getting around campus

    • Wear your face-covering (unless you are exempt).
    • Use any one-way systems that are in place in OBC’s buildings. Please follow the signs.
    • Use the hand sanitising units at the entrance to buildings and teaching spaces and wash your hands regularly.
    • Maintain social distancing when entering and leaving teaching rooms and buildings – each room (classroom, laboratory, lift, toilet, kitchen) has a sign indicating the maximum number of people to ensure safety.
    • Take the stairs if you can. Lifts have very limited capacity and we need to make sure that those who cannot take the stairs don’t have to wait too long.
    • Do not stop in corridors or other communal areas within buildings. Leave teaching rooms & buildings as soon as your scheduled meeting has finished.

    When you get to your class or meeting room

    • Take a seat furthest away from the door, so that the people coming in after you don’t have to pass you.
    • Do not move desks and tables in teaching rooms under any circumstances.
    • Wipe down your desk or work area with the alcohol based sanitising wipes provided.
    • Please dispose of used wipes in the bin provided when you leave the teaching room.
    • Unless you are exempt, you are required to wear a face covering (mask) in the classroom.

    To summarise: Recommended (you do not have to do this):

    • Order free ‘Home self-test kits’ from this siteand test yourself on day of visiting the college. 
    • Download NHS COVID-19 App.
    • Record your test results on the App when you get a test result.
    • Use the App to scan the QR code when you get to college every day.

    Strongly advised:

    • If you test positive for COVID-19, please follow government guidelines, seek medical help and do not cometo the College. 
    • Use the Covid-19 sign in book (if you have not downloaded the NHS COVID-19 App).
    • Wear face masks unless seated in your classroom and maintain social distancing.
    • Follow signs (wash hands, sanitise etc).
    • Be respectful and stay safe.

    FAQs

    Do I need to wear a mask?

    You will be expected to wear your mask at all times when you enter the building. If you have a special exemption (e.g. allergy) you will not be required to wear a mask.

    Can I take my mask off when I am studying?

    You will be able to remove your mask when you are in your classroom, meeting room, library, or canteen.   We will do all we can to provide you with enough space to maintain distance from others. 

     

    Are there any special safety rules in the classroom?

    When you enter a classroom, please walk to the back so that other students do not have to pass you when they enter the room after you. Apart from this, please remain seated and relax.

     

    Do I have to take a COVID-19 test?

    This is not a requirement (we will not insist on this) but we would be grateful if you test yourself for COVID-19 before you come to the College. 

    What about food?

    You may bring your own food and we will make space available for you to eat.  There are also restaurants, cafés, and supermarkets in the area where you live.