Covid-19 Update

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Last Updated 13/01/22

From Monday 17th January 2022 there will be a cautious, phased return to college for some students who are undertaking practical subjects. We have considered the latest government guidance and will make all reasonable efforts to allow staff to continue to work from home, but we have identified a small number of courses which require the essential practical elements to be delivered in perso. You will be contacted directly by your lecturer if your class is going to be in centre. Only students instructed to do so should attend local centres.

Please take a Lateral Flow Test prior to coming on campus, and only come on campus if you have a negative result.

For the latest guidance on Covid and Self-Isolation please see here.

Stay safe, and if you need to get in touch with us, please see our contacts page.

Take a look through the drop-down menus below for information:

Access to our campuses content

Access to our campuses

Our centres are open during office hours and access is by appointment only.

Due to ongoing COVID restrictions we still have limited capacity within our learning centres. Whilst we are keen to welcome as many students back into centres, right now our learning centres are open by appointment only. We really hope that as the year progresses, we will have more on-site activity, but we will continue to follow government guidance.

For most courses, we’ll be asking you to join your classes online, from home. Your online classes will be scheduled and you’ll be required to join these at the times specified. Your timetable will be available in your online induction materials.
If you need support, want to use our computers, or simply need a place to study, you can arrange access to your local centre by getting in touch with local centre staff and they’ll arrange a suitable time for you.
Unfortunately, we currently have no access to printing facilities in centres for students.
If you feel you will have difficulty working from home because of poor connectivity, IT issues or lack of suitable equipment, you should get in touch with your local centre staff. You can review what IT equipment you will need here. We’ll do everything we can to ensure that you are well placed to join your course remotely. You’ll find contact details for your local centre here.

Physical distancing content

Physical distancing

We have set capacity limits in centres based on 1m social distancing. Seating and desks will be arranged to maintain one metre distancing. Please respect this rule and be respectful of safe distancing and personal space when on-site.

Face coverings content

Face coverings

Face masks will be required in all communal areas, corridors, and teaching spaces unless exempt, when eating or drinking, or the sole occupant of a room.

The mandatory wearing of face coverings remains under review in line with any Scottish Government update and ahead of the October break.

Ventilation content

Ventilation

We will regularly monitor ventilation and air quality on site using CO2 monitors in occupied rooms to ensure this does not fall below acceptable levels.

Hand sanitising and cleaning content

Hand sanitising and cleaning

Please use the hand sanitisers provided and wash hands frequently throughout the day, and clean down shared work and study surfaces.

On-site services content

On-site services

We are not currently operating catering services or vending machines. Please bring food and drinks with you if you plan to be in a centre.

Testing content

Testing

All staff and students who are present in centres are encouraged to be vaccinated and undertake 2 lateral flow tests (LFT) per week. Test Kits are available to order online.

If you receive a positive LFT, a PCR test should be booked by visiting nhsinform.scot/testing or by calling 119. You should self-isolate until a negative PCR result is obtained.

If you have Covid-19 symptoms or think you might have coronavirus, do not come into college - you should self-isolate immediately. Seek a PCR test by visiting nhsinform.scot/testing or by calling 119.

Symptoms include:

A high temperature or fever
A new, continuous cough
A loss of, or change in a sense of smell and taste

Please use the normal absence reporting procedure to let us know.

Mental health support content

Mental health support

Remember that there is mental health support available to all students from the Argyll College Student Counsellor, Maggie Melville. You can contact her at ACWellbeing@uhi.ac.uk

Students also have access to Togetherall, a digital mental health support service which is available online, 24/7, and is completely anonymous so you can express yourself freely and openly

The university's Support for Students pages can also link you to many useful online resources to help with your health and wellbeing too

Vaccinations content

Vaccinations

We are supporting the Scottish Government’s Student “Roll up your sleeve” vaccine message. Visit the NHS Inform website to find information on how to book appointments and details of where you can access drop in vaccinations. Please take advantage of these when offered, it’s our best way out of the coronavirus pandemic and it’s the best way to protect your opportunity to get your qualification.

The vaccine is now available to all over 16s and children aged 12-15 who are considered at higher risk from COVID-19.

International students are strongly encouraged to get vaccinated before you arrive, see details here.

Protect Scotland app content

Protect Scotland app

Staff and students are encouraged to download the Protect Scotland app from NHS Scotland's Test and Protect.

This free, mobile app is designed to help us protect each other and reduce the spread of COVID-19. Visit: Test & Protect | Protect Scotland for more information.