Your DMU Safety update: Staying safe during upcoming festivities and what to do if you need to self-isolate

In today’s Your DMU Safety update, we will be providing advice for how to enjoy upcoming festivities such as Halloween, Bonfire Night and Diwali safely during the current climate.  

We will also be reminding students of what to do if you need to self-isolate and where you can access support if needed.  

Staying safe during festivities  

Over the coming weeks we are aware there are festivities taking place that students will want to take part in and celebrate.   

We are encouraging everyone to enjoy Halloween, Bonfire Night and Diwali, but to do so by following the law and sticking to the government advice around social distancing. You must continue to follow the rule of 6 (do not hold house parties or visit other households – even if you’re living in the same accommodation block). Please celebrate safely and responsibly while looking after yourselves and each other. 

When and how to self-isolate 

Staff and students must self-isolate immediately if: 

• You have any symptoms of coronavirus (a high temperature, a new, continuous cough or a loss or change to your sense of smell or taste). You should then seek a Covid-19 test as soon as possible, and you must self-isolate until you get a result 
• You've tested positive for Covid-19 
• You live with someone who has symptoms or tested positive for Covid-19 
• Someone in your support bubble has symptoms or tested positive 
• You're told to self-isolate by NHS Test and Trace and/or DMU Safe Trace because you have been in close contact with someone who has tested positive for Covid-19 
• You arrive in the UK from a country with a high coronavirus risk – see GOV.UK: how to self-isolate when you travel to the UK. 

Self-isolation means: 

• Do not go to lectures, seminars or any other activity on the university campus – work/study from home if you can 
• Do not go on public transport or use taxis 
• Do not go out to get food and medicine – order it online or by phone, or ask someone to bring it to your home 
• Do not have visitors in your home, including friends and family – except for people providing essential care 
• Do not go out to exercise – exercise at home or in your garden, if you have one. 

If you return a positive test, it is essential to continue self-isolating to prevent transmitting the virus to other people. You must continue to self-isolate for 10 days from when you first developed symptoms – or longer if you still have a high temperature. 

People living in the same household as someone who has developed symptoms and/or has tested positive must also self-isolate for 14 days. The 14-day period starts from the day when the first person in the house became ill or the day you are contacted by NHS Test and Trace and/or DMU Safe Trace. Please also share this important information wherever appropriate to students if you are student facing staff. 

Letting the university know you are self-isolating 

If you need to self-isolate because you or a member of your household has tested positive, it is important you let the university know you will be unable to attend on-campus lectures and seminars for the duration of your self-isolation period. 

You can do this by contacting your faculty Student Advice Centre (SACs) as soon as you are able. This is also so we can advise on the support and advice available from the university and beyond. More information and guidance for students on self-isolation support is available including Healthy DMU services, government and local council support, food and medicines advice and the Good Neighbours Network. 

How to Report a positive test to DMU 

If you have tested positive for Covid-19 please report it to the university by completing our dmu.ac.uk/safetracenotify form. 

All the information and help that you need to enjoy campus life in a safe and secure way is available on the Your DMU Safety website. Please make sure you read and follow all of the guidance and support on this site and check back regularly for updates. We will continue to closely follow and implement UK Government, Public Health England (PHE) and local authority guidelines.