COVID-19 Guidance for Students

Should you develop flu or cold-like symptoms during your time at Homerton, we ask that you self-isolate and contact the Porters immediately.

We hope this page helps students with any queries or concerns you might have related to the exceptional circumstances of the COVID-19 pandemic. Students should contact the Senior Tutor if your specific question is not addressed below.

Homerton guidance and support

It is vital that we continue to protect ourselves and our community as best we can to limit the spread of the virus. To this end, Homerton asks that you follow the recommendations detailed below.

We ask that students please order their own supply of LFTs (a small proportion of you will be eligible for free LFTs through the NHS via the following link). You should always have a reserve supply of LFTs in the event you become ill or suspect you have contracted the virus.

Homerton College will maintain the following isolation guidance:

  • Anyone who receives a positive result from any test are asked to self-isolate and report your positive result to the Porters and the Hom-Isolation-Team email address. Please do not have any visitors in your room whilst positive. For the majority of people, you should feel better after 5 full days of isolating. If you are still feeling unwell, especially if you still have a fever/temperature, then please continue to isolate until you feel well again.
  • If you develop any cold or flu symptoms, the college asks you to self-isolate straight away and contact the Porters and the Hom-Isolation-Team immediately. You will be asked to take an LFT test as soon as possible. It is vital that you do this to eliminate COVID-19 as an option, and do not simply assume your symptoms are that of a cold/flu.
  • If you believe you have been a close contact of someone who has tested positive or has flu-like symptoms, we ask that you self-isolate straight away and contact the Porters and the Hom-Isolation-Team immediately. You will be asked to take an LFT test as soon as possible.

What can you do?

Get vaccinated

High levels of vaccination amongst students were critical in limiting the impact of previous variants at the University.  It is increasingly clear that, whilst two doses of vaccine offer only limited protection against infection, this is markedly enhanced by a booster dose. If you have not done so already, we therefore strongly recommend that you register to receive your booster as soon as possible.

If you have not yet received a vaccination, we would strongly encourage you to do so. You can book your COVID-19 vaccination appointments on the NHS website. Walk-in clinics are also available for vaccinations without a booking. Information on walk-in clinics in Cambridgeshire and Peterborough is available online.

If you are not yet registered with a local GP, please do so as soon as you can. Information on this can be found on the NHS website. This will ensure that if you need medical assistance, you are able to see a GP in Cambridge and won’t need to go to A&E to seek assistance for something that a GP could treat. Remember that Sandy Chambers, the College Health Advisor, is able to offer health advice and information too. To book an appointment with Sandy, follow this link.

Protect each other

It is important to understand that no vaccine is 100% effective and we need to continue to take the following simple measures to reduce the risk of catching or passing on COVID-19: 

  • COVID-19 is most commonly spread through close contact with an infected person. If an infected person is close, they can spread the virus via respiratory droplets which are produced when they breathe, cough, sneeze, talk or sing. Limiting close contact and wearing face coverings can reduce this risk.
  • Socialise outside if you can, and make sure rooms are well ventilated, for example by opening windows.
  • It is less common to catch COVID-19 via contact with a contaminated surface but it is possible to be infected if you touch a surface contaminated with the virus and then touch your nose, eyes or mouth. Hand washing with soap and water/ using hand sanitiser remains important.
  • Keep in touch with the Homerton Isolation Team with any queries; with the Student Health Advisor with any medical concerns; and with the Porters if you require immediate assistance (they are available 24/7).
  • Contact your Tutor if you think the period of isolation may affect your plans. You will be contacted by the College about any changed exam arrangements.

More information on COVID-19 is available through National Government and our university-wide support website. 

Students are encouraged to share feedback on how we can improve support in college during this challenging time. To help keep the College community safe, students are also able to anonymously report any COVID related issues using the Student Feedback Form.

Useful contacts

Coping with Covid: Daily Prompts

Coping with Covid: Daily Prompts

Latest from The Homersphere

View all