Update Covid-19: Advice to all students, parents and carers 09/07/2021
Dear students, parents and carers
Further to my recent communication to you on 2nd July 2021, please find below important information relating to the following:
- Government announcements this week
- On-stie COVID-19 Testing – students
- Reporting a POSITIVE COVID-19 test result out of hours
- Reporting COVID-19 Cases: Latest data
1. Government announcements this week
At the moment, we understand that subject to a final review of the data next week, legal restrictions will end on Monday 19th July.
Limits on social contact will end, meaning there will be no restrictions on indoor or outdoor gatherings. Weddings, funerals and other life events will be able to take place without limits or restrictions. Social distancing will also end. All venues currently closed will be allowed to reopen, including nightclubs, and there will be no legal requirement for table service in hospitality settings.
Face coverings will no longer be legally required in shops, education settings, hospitality, or on public transport although guidance will be in place to suggest where people might choose to wear one, such as where you come into contact with people you don’t usually meet in enclosed and crowded places.
Whilst face coverings are not required to be worn by students, staff and visitors to the college from this date, we are asking all to respect the choices of others if they choose to wear one. Please also respect that some individuals may also wish to maintain social distancing.
From a College perspective, from 16th August we will no longer have to conduct contact tracing in the event of a positive case as this will be managed by NHS Test and Trace. Also from this date, students under the age of 18 will no longer be required to self-isolate if they are contacted by NHS test and Trace as a close contact of a positive case. Fully vaccinated adults will not have to self-isolate if they are identified as a contact of a positive case. Adults not fully vaccinated will have to self-isolate.
2. On-site COVID Testing – students
It is now clear that we will be required to offer all students two on-site lateral flow device tests at the start of the Autumn term. We will confirm the dates that the testing site will be operational shortly so tutors can again contact their students to notify them of the date and time of their onsite tests.
After two tests onsite, students will be required to continue to test twice weekly at home until, at least the end of September when this will be reviewed.
3. Reporting positive COVID results
Please remember to complete the ‘Out of hours Notification of a POSITIVE COVID-19 test result’ form using the link on the South Devon College website to alert us immediately if you, a member of your household or other close contact identified through Track & Trace, receive a positive test result whilst the College is closed.
4. Reported COVID-19 Cases: Latest data
The table below gives the most up-to-date picture of COVID-19 infections at South Devon College in all areas.
| Weekly cases: 21 (Total confirmed positive cases reported in the last week) |
| Total cases: 117 (A running total of positive/presumed positive cases reported to the College by students and staff since the first case was reported on Wednesday 7th October 2020) |
I would like to take this opportunity to once again, thank you all for your ongoing support and to hope everyone is able to enjoy a break during the summer.
I will next write to you all towards the end of August to provide further updates and practical information ahead of your return to South Devon College from September.
Kindest regards
Laurence Frewin
Principal and CEO
South Devon College