Surge testing: Information for students

As you may have seen reported in the news, the UK Government, working with local authority areas, is conducting additional targeted 'surge testing' for newly identified variants and mutations of COVID-19. This is an evolving situation and individuals who live in affected areas should be contacted directly by their local council and are advised to follow the advice received in respect of testing and any subsequent actions.  Read further information about surge testing and the affected areas.

Any student living in an affected postcode area should not travel to campus nor use campus facilities until it is safe to do so – and should follow the advice from their local authority to get tested.  Read further information on Birmingham City Council areas.

If you live within an affected area:

• Seek clarification from your local council’s webpage, which will have a postcode checker to identify whether your address is confirmed as an area subject to surge testing.
• Follow Council advice for getting tested – the tests being conducted in surge testing areas are PCR tests, they may also be referred to as a 'symptom-free variant Covid test' or similar – these are not the same tests that are available on campus and you should not come to campus for a test.  
• Please remain at home and do not travel to campus.
• If you are using on-campus facilities, and you live in an affected area, you should only continue to do so after you have received a negative test.
• If you do test positive please do let us know via our intranet pages. You must self-isolate immediately and not come to campus.  

Thank you to everyone for your continuing cooperation and support.  

Stay safe and well.