In line with the Government guidance students have been informed:

• They should not return to Loughborough at this time
• In-person teaching will not resume before mid-February at the earliest
• Examinations and revision lectures will take place online, as already planned.

A limited number of exceptions will apply.  These are for students who:

• Have already arranged international travel to the UK
• Do not have adequate space/facilities at home to study or undertake examinations
• Consider their mental health would be negatively affected if they remain at home
• Are part of an elite sport performance pathway
• Are part of a teacher training programme.

Any student who returns to Loughborough is required to take a Covid-19 lateral flow test at the point they return to the University.

The University has also confirmed:

• Options are being explored to ensure that, when in-person teaching can resume, sufficient and appropriate access to facilities and in-person teaching is provided to students to ensure its programmes provide academic credibility and value to students.  These options include minor changes to semester and term dates.
• It will refund fees for campus student accommodation where students do not or are unable to return to their accommodation because of lockdown.
• As has been the case since the start of the academic year, disciplinary processes will apply to any students returning to its Loughborough and London campuses for any breaches of current Covid-19 rules. 
• Staff have been requested to work from home unless they cannot perform their role remotely.  For these staff free rapid Covid-19 lateral flow tests are available.

Richard Taylor, Chief Operating Officer commented: “We are very disappointed that we are not able to welcome students back to our campuses due to the new lockdown, but we recognise we must follow the Government arrangements for higher education and we are committed to doing so. 

“For the students who have no option but to return and staff who need to work on campus, we have robust testing processes and operational procedures in place to restrict transmission of the virus and ensure our campuses are safe and the wider communities in Loughborough and London are also protected.”

Cllr Jenny Bokor, Lead Member for Loughborough at Charnwood Borough Council, said: “The University has been working hard since the start of the pandemic to minimise the risk of transmission amongst students, staff and the wider community and I am pleased to see that this is continuing.

“The lockdown is difficult for everyone but it’s something that must be done to protect everyone. We also have to hold on to the fact that more and more people are being vaccinated so there is light at the end of the tunnel.”

Councillor Lee Breckon, Leicestershire County Council cabinet member for health, added: “I’d also like to praise the work which the University has been doing and wish all students and staff well at what is an extremely difficult time. Everyone across all communities needs to redouble their efforts to minimise transmission and follow the national advice.” 

More information about the new arrangements is available online.

Anyone with concerns about breaches of Covid-19 regulations or other student anti-social behaviour should report these to the University’s Security team on 01509 222141.