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A new mutation of the Coronavirus, Omicron, has been discovered with several cases reported in Scotland.
Students and staff are reassured that the University is closely monitoring the situation and will keep in close contact with you as the situation evolves.
Teaching and assessment
We intend that teaching and assessment will carry on as scheduled on campus for the remainder of Term 1 and into Term 2. In the event that the Scottish Government introduce further restrictions we will be back in touch to explain what this means for activity on campus. Term 2 timetables will be issued by the end of this week. The timing of the activity in your timetable for Term 2 will apply regardless of whether any further restrictions are introduced.
Extra-curricular events to be postponed
The University has decided that all extra-curricular events (i.e. those not related to teaching or research) scheduled to take place on campus between now and mid-January should now be postponed or moved online, unless critical to the ongoing operation of the University’s business. We will keep these arrangements under review as the national picture becomes clearer in the coming weeks.
Booster jabs and self-isolation
Covid booster vaccinations are vital to providing effective protection against Omicron and the Scottish Government is urging everyone to get vaccinated as soon as possible. Bookings can be made through the NHS Inform website, with appointments now open to everyone aged 18 and over.
All household contacts of any confirmed case of Covid-19 (regardless of which variant) must now self-isolate for a full 10 days, regardless of whether they have been vaccinated or get a negative PCR test result. You can find more information on self-isolation on the University’s Covid pages.
Winter closure arrangements
A reminder that the University campus will close at 5pm on Thursday 23 December for the winter break and reopen on Wednesday 5 January, with access restricted to essential staff only during the closure period. Students in need of emergency support during this time can contact the external out-of-hours services detailed on our support pages. The Library café and the gym will be closed from this Friday, reopening on Friday 7 January and Monday 10 January respectively.
Keeping in touch
Thank you for playing your part in helping to slow the spread of Omicron and for continuing to protect the Abertay community. We will keep in touch with further updates via email, MyAbertay and on the University Covid pages and let you know of any changes that may affect Term 2. If you have any questions please don’t hesitate to get in touch.
In the meantime, we ask everyone at Abertay to continue to follow all recommended safety and hygiene measures, including undertaking regular LFD testing before coming to campus or mixing socially with others. Test kits can be collected at the Support Enquiry Zone and Kydd Building Reception.
Following discovery of the new Covid-19 variant, Omicron, in Scotland, the Scottish Government have added a number of countries to the travel red list, meaning that anyone travelling from there must complete hotel quarantine for 10 days on arrival.
They have also stipulated that everyone travelling to Scotland from overseas must take a pre-departure Covid test ahead of travel, self-isolate on arrival and take a PCR test on Day 2.
If your Day 2 PCR test is positive, you must self-isolate for the full 10 days, even if you are fully vaccinated.
Only if the test is negative, can you end self-isolation.
Travelling within the UK?
There are no additional restrictions currently being proposed for domestic travel within the UK however anyone travelling is urged to 'Test before Travel' and take 2 x LFD tests, one three days ahead of travel and one on the day of departure. This advice remains in place when travelling back to University in January.
Information on accessing LFD testing can be found at: Covid Testing and Vaccination
If you or a member of your household tests positive for Covid, you should arrange a PCR test as soon as possible and self-isolate for 10 days. Self-isolation must be completed irrespective of vaccine status and even following a negative test, whether or not the Covid case is confirmed as Omicron.
You do not need to self-isolate if:
Let the University know if you are required to self-isolate, and if you have any additional support needs, by contacting sez@abertay.ac.uk.
Following discovery of Omicron, the UK Government have confirmed all adults over 18 are now eligible for a booster vaccine. The minimum gap between second vaccine doses and boosters has also been reduced from 6 months to 3 months.
Online appointments are open to anyone over 30, unpaid and young carers, healthcare workers, and household contacts of immunosuppressed individuals at: https://www.nhsinform.scot/vaccinebooking
Adults over 18 will be eligible to book online from Wednesday 15 December 2021.
International students who are travelling to Scotland to start their studies in January should follow the latest Scottish Government guidance at the time of travel.
Coming from a red list country?
Currently, anyone travelling from or through a country on the red list within 10 days of arriving in Scotland must:
To reclaim quarantine payments from the University, you will need to:
For further details on how to claim reimbursement, contact advisory@abertay.ac.uk.
Further advice on international travel and managed isolation can be found on the Scottish Government website.
Coming from a non-red list country?
Currently, students travelling from a non-red list country are required to:
If you are not fully vaccinated and are travelling from a non-red list country, you must: