All of our guidance and policy is kept under regular review and is subject to change in line with changes to government guidance and policy

Self isolation reporting

The Government has asked us to report details of students (staff do not need to do this) who need to self isolate. Students will only need to self isolate in the following circumstances:

  • If you have developed COVID-19 symptoms, or you have tested positive on a lateral flow (home testing) kit and you are isolating because you have requested a PCR test and are awaiting the results
  • If you have tested positive for COVID-19 via a PCR test and you are now isolating for 10 days
  • If you have been asked to isolate by NHS Test and Trace due to a close contact as you are over the age of 18 years and six months and you are not fully vaccinated.

 Report your self isolation here

If you test positive at any time please email covid@lincolncollege.ac.uk  immediately and 

Staff: Include your full name, department, line manager and mobile phone number

Students: Include your full name, student number, date of birth, course, tutor name and mobile phone number

If your PCR test is negative, it overrides your home-test result and you can return to college.

Risk assessment

Lincoln, Gainsborough and Newark Colleges risk assess all activity in relation to the very latest government policy, advice and guidance on COVID-19.

You can read our latest risk assessment here 

Our control measures

Our approach to minimising the spread of the virus on our campuses focusses the following key control measures:

  1. Ensuring good hygiene for everyone
  2. Maintaining appropriate cleaning regimes
  3. Keeping occupied spaces well ventilated
  4. Following public health advice on testing, self-isolation and managing confirmed cases of COVID-19
  5. Promoting and encouraging vaccination to all staff and students

Testing

Students will be able to collect testing kits at main enrolment this year and we expect you to have completed two tests before you attend your first lesson at the beginning of term.

Anyone who needs help testing themselves can visit Student Services on our campuses, where a staff member will demonstrate lateral flow testing.

Once term has started we expect students and staff to test themselves at home twice a week. We have ample stocks of testing kits. Students can to ask their tutor or progress coach for more kits. Staff can collect them from Facilities at Lincoln College and main reception at Newark and Gainsborough Colleges.

You should report your test results to the Government here

What happens if I test positive?

If you test positive book a PCR test and self-isolate at home until you get the results. If your PCR test is positive you should continue to self-isolate for 10-days after developing symptoms.

You also need to inform the College immediately. Report your positive test to college via email: covid@lincolncollege.ac.uk . 

Staff: Include your full name, department, line manager and mobile phone number

Students: Include your full name, student number, date of birth, course, tutor name and mobile phone number

If your PCR test is negative, it overrides your home-test result and you can return to college.

Close contacts of a positive COVID-19 case

NHS Test and Trace will get in touch with you if you have been in close contact with someone who has tested positive.

You’re not required to self-isolate if you live in the same household as someone with COVID-19, or are a close contact of someone with COVID-19, and any of the following apply:

  • you’re fully vaccinated
  • you’re below the age of 18 years 6 months
  • you’ve taken part in or are currently part of an approved COVID-19 vaccine trial
  • you’re not able to get vaccinated for medical reasons

NHS Test and Trace will check whether you are legally required to self-isolate. If you’re not legally required to self-isolate, you will be provided with advice on testing and given guidance on preventing the spread of COVID-19. Even if you do not have symptoms, you will be advised to have a PCR test as soon as possible. If you have symptoms you should stay at home.

Adults who do not need to isolate and young people aged under 18 years 6 months and who have been identified as a close contact, should continue to attend college as normal. They do not need to wear a face mask or covering at college, but it is expected and recommended that these are worn when travelling on public or dedicated transport.

Get a free PCR test to check if you have COVID-19, you can choose a drive-through or walk-through test centre for a quick test, or order a home test kit.

If you are informed by NHS Test and Trace that you are legally required to self-isolate:

  • Staff should inform their line manager via email
  • Students should inform their tutor via email

 Developing symptoms at home and at college

 Students, staff and other adults should follow public health advice on when to self-isolate. They should not come into college if they have symptoms or other reasons requiring them to stay at home due to the risk of them passing on COVID-19 (for example, they are required to quarantine or have a positive test).

If anyone at college develops COVID-19 symptoms, however mild, they will be asked to go home and they should follow public health advice.

For everyone with symptoms, they should avoid using public transport and, wherever possible, be collected by a member of their family or household.

If a student is awaiting collection they will be left in a room on their own if possible and where safe to do so. A window will be opened for fresh air ventilation. Appropriate PPE will be used if close contact is necessary. The room will be cleaned after they have left.

 The household (including any siblings) must follow PHE guidance for households with possible or confirmed coronavirus (COVID-19) infection.

 Face coverings

 Face masks or coverings are no longer advised for students, staff and visitors either in classrooms or in communal areas. You can find more information on the use of face coverings in: face coverings including when to wear one, exemptions and how to make your own.

The government has removed the requirement to wear face masks or coverings in law but expects and recommends they are worn in enclosed and crowded spaces where an individual may come into contact with people they do not normally meet. This includes public transport and dedicated transport to college.

At Lincoln, Newark and Gainsborough Colleges we are also strongly encouraging staff to wear face masks or coverings in crowded indoor communal areas.

If we encounter an outbreak at any of our sites we may introduce a requirement for staff and students to wear face masks or coverings if advised to do so by our local public health team.