The Covid-19 pandemic continues to be a part of our lives in 2021. Uncertainty looms over international travel; travel bans and restrictions have kept students away from their study destinations.
Countries are updating their Covid-19 regulations almost on the daily. Students have to keep updated with the norms and travel regulations while juggling online learning, and assignments.
UK Universities during Covid-19
- UK universities place in priority the safety and wellbeing of their students. UK’s universities have adjusted and successfully tackled hurdles from the advent of the pandemic.
- Universities across the UK have put in place several Covid-19 support services to assist international students – airport pick-up services, 24/7 helplines for students, and free counseling and mental health support services.
- Universities are offering students flexibility to study online or pushing the start dates further.
Travel to UK in times of Covid-19
- Currently, international students can travel to the UK.
- Some universities in the UK like the UCL, have asked students to return to the UK only after mid-February.
- Travel restrictions were declared for some countries, while UK borders were open to a few. Meaning that travellers from countries in corridor agreements with the UK, do not need to self-isolate upon arrival in the UK.
- However, the recent updates sight all travel corridors to the UK be suspended until notified.
- Travel from any country will have to test negative for the Coivd-19 virus, and need to be isolated
- To travel to the UK, the traveler must fill a passenger locator form and submit it within 48 hours of arriving in the UK.
- The form requires the passenger to fill in their passport information, travel details and the address you will be staying at in the UK.
- Visit the UK government website to access the form
- From January 2021, the government of UK requires travellers to submit a negative Coivd-19 test as proof to enter the UK.
- The test must not be older than 3 days before departing the native country.
- The test is necessary despite vaccinated
- The test can be presented in printed form, a text or email on a device, and must include the following set of information –
- The name should match the name on your travel documents
- Date of Birth
- Result of the test
- The date of test – either the day the sample was collected or received by the test subject
- Name and contact details of the lab
- Type of test device used
- Self-isolation of 10 days is imperative despite producing a negative Covid-19 result
- Furthermore, the traveller mandatorily must also take two further tests- on the second day and the eight day of quarantine.
Travel – Traffic- light system for international student
- Green – Travellers from countries classified green, will not have to isolate on arrival to the UK
- Amber – Travellers from countries classified amber, have to isolate and quarantine when on arrival to the UK
- Red – Travellers from countries classified red will have to follow strict quarantine rules
Health Service
- National Health Service (NHS) is available to all international students.
- Online Covid-19 advice can be assess by calling 111; this service is the undertaking of the National Health Service (NHS)
- Students are asked to adhere mask wearing guidelines – face masks covering the nose and mouth
Vaccine rollout and international student vaccination
- By the summer of 2021, the UK will be fully vaccinated. Entry for international students will possible by September of 2021.
- International students can have access to the various vaccines available in the UK.
Visa and travel
- Students, who do not wish to travel to the UK but have been issued visas, should keep their university/institution informed; so that the visa status is kept updated.
- Students, who will to defer their studies, should apply for a new visa.
Quarantine costs to be covered by UK universities
- International students travelling to the UK will have to quarantine for 10 days. Quarantine hotel accommodation and test cost of up to £1,750 will be borne by the universities in the UK.
If you still have questions that are left unanswered, we invite to interact with our expert education counselors at Envision Overseas.
Envision Overseas will be hosting a UK fair. Register now! To speak to representatives from universities and have your concerns addressed.