COVID-19 – updates and guidance
The latest information on safety, testing and Imperial's response to COVID-19
Updated 1 March 2021
From this page, you can find all the latest information about how the College is responding to COVID-19 and the support and guidance available. Scroll down for links to information specific to staff, students and applicants.
Campus status
Our campuses and halls of residence are in national lockdown until 8 March, which means that only students and staff required to be on our campuses should visit. We are delivering education online-only until at least 8 March (with a few exceptions). Researchers and research students can continue to access laboratories if they cannot undertake their research from home, and students in halls can access our libaries and study spaces if they do not have access to those facilities at home.
Government announcement on lifting lockdown
On 22 February the government announced its plan for ending the nationwide lockdown of England. You can find the full set of guidelines on the government’s website. From 8 March English universities are able to invite some students taking practical subjects back to campus for learning activities. Students will only be asked to return if their course cannot reasonably be continued online. View our FAQs.
There will continue to be restrictions on international travel, but travel to the UK from abroad for education purposes is permitted. Find information on all the things you might need to know when you arrive in the UK from overseas.
Supporting our community's wellbeing
We are aware that this is a particularly difficult time for everyone in our community. Supporting each other is more important than ever now, be that picking up the phone to someone you know is alone or setting up a video call with friends and family. Highlighted here are sources of additional support and help that are available to you from the College:
- Any student can access a range of support services and counselling through the Student Support Zone.
- The Graduate School offers Understanding Yourself and Others courses for Master’s students and for PhD students.
- Postdocs and Fellows can also dedicated resources for researchers.
- Staff should see the live well pages, and they have access to a range of services provided by Confidential Care.
- The Chaplaincy and Multi-Faith Centre runs regular meditation sessions and a PhD Reflection Group. You can also arrange to speak to a chaplain individually.
Working or studying on campuses, or living in halls
Keeping you safe remains our top priority. We are committed to delivering an environment that is as safe as possible and to support the choices that people make travelling to College premises. Our positive cases continue to be relatively low, we publish our testing data daily, but we need to take extra special care by:
- following the safety measures that will help protect one another and limit the spread of the virus
- taking regular COVID-19 tests. This is essential if you're required to attend campus during the lockdown and for all students living in halls. Find out how to get a test and read about the College's 'gold standard' asymptomatic testing scheme
- scanning the QR codes where you see the signs
- notifying the COVID-19 Contact Tracing Hub (CCT Hub) if you receive a positive test or have symptoms.
To support our staff who are required to work, or are returning to work at College premises, we have updated our general guidance for line managers. We also recognise that travelling to and from campus may be a cause of concern for some, which is why new travel guidance for managers has been published.
Imperial's research and community in action
We are proud of Imperial's major role in building the world's understanding of the virus and finding solutions to keep us safe. From world-leading research to technological innovations, students volunteering to help in our hospitals to supporting members of our local community - read about Imperial's research and community in action.
More specific COVID-19-related information for staff, students, applicants:
