Coronavirus – Frequently Asked Questions
What is the college doing to keep me safe?
As we all look forward with optimism to a more normal term, Preston College will continue to take necessary measures to ensure your health, safety and wellbeing whilst on campus.
Whilst learning for your chosen programme will predominately be undertaken in the classroom/workshop environment, around the college many of the measures put in place over the past year will remain, including hand sanitiser stations, open windows, one way systems for movement around buildings and clearly marked out queuing systems in high footfall areas, such as the main reception and food outlets.
The college approach to face coverings has been designed to provide safety and confidence within an educational setting. In doing this, we have been mindful of both government guidance and our duty of care to learners and staff. From September, you will be required to wear a face covering in communal areas and corridors. Face coverings will not be mandatory when sitting in classrooms or workshops, but should be worn when moving around the college campus as a courtesy to others. You will of course be free to wear a face covering more frequently than these minimum expectations if desired. We expect that all learners will work positively with us in ensuring that all rules and procedures are strictly adhered to.
Upon arrival at college each day, you will also be required to swipe in using your college ID badge. If you forget your badge, you will need to obtain a temporary badge from reception. At the end of each day, you will be required to use your ID badge to swipe out.
If you experience any symptoms that you think may be linked to Coronavirus, please alert your tutor immediately. If you are at home and experience any symptoms, please do not come into college. Please follow all absence reporting procedures and seek a PCR test via the NHS.
Where can I find the most up-to-date information on the College’s approach to Coronavirus?
All new updates provided by the college, specifically in relation to Coronavirus, will be placed on the official college website (www.preston.ac.uk) and the college’s social media channels. In addition, all current learners will be sent a text message. Please ensure the contact details and emergency contact information the college holds for you are correct and up-to-date.
Do I have to wear a face covering?
The college approach to face coverings has been designed to provide safety and confidence within an educational setting. In doing this, we have been mindful of both government guidance and our duty of care to learners and staff. From September, you will be required to wear a face covering in communal areas and corridors. Face coverings will not be mandatory when sitting in classrooms or workshops, but should be worn when moving around the college campus as a courtesy to others. You will of course be free to wear a face covering more frequently than these minimum expectations if desired. We expect that all learners will work positively with us in ensuring that all rules and procedures are strictly adhered to.
If you lose your face covering or forget it, you will be required to collect one from the main reception. It is important to remember that your face covering has to be a mask or visor; pulling up your coat, jumper or scarf is not sufficient.
Will the food outlets be open?
We encourage all learners to purchase food on campus and our catering facilities, including the Food Court, Starbucks and vending machines will be open but face coverings will need to be worn when queuing and making your purchase.
Can I use the lifts?
Those who can use the stairs are encouraged to do so, as lifts in all buildings are open and available but are limited to one person at a time and should only be used when absolutely necessary.
Do I have to download the NHS App?
Anyone over the age of 16 can choose to download the NHS app but this does not replace any college requirements about safety measures and reporting of absence. Anyone that chooses to download the app and receives an alert through it should also inform us of the alert, so that we can decide if any college action is required.
What will happen in the event of another national lockdown?
Should another lockdown occur, forcing the college to close buildings, teaching will revert to home and online learning. The college successfully did this when the first national lockdown was announced in March 2020, and again at the beginning of 2021. As before, all learners will be fully supported. Should this happen, full details will be communicated to you, parents and carers via the website, social media, emails and text messaging.
What do I do if someone in my household tests positive for Covid-19?
If someone you live with tests positive for Coronavirus, or you are informed by NHS Test and Trace that you are a close contact of a positive case, you should stay at home and self-isolate unless you are fully vaccinated or aged under 18 years and 6 months. If you fall into either of these exemption categories, you will not be legally required to self-isolate, but are strongly advised to arrange a PCR test even if you do not have any symptoms of your own.
If you experience any symptoms of Coronavirus, you should stay at home, self-isolate immediately and arrange a PCR test. You must follow any instructions given to you by NHS Test and Trace following the test result.
You are also required to report any periods of absence to the college in the usual way.
Do I need to take a lateral flow test before coming into college?
As a Preston College learner, you are encouraged to engage with initial on campus testing from week commencing 6th September 2021. Following this, home testing should continue twice weekly for the foreseeable future. Home test kits will be provided to you during your induction week. If you test positive with a lateral flow device, you should self-isolate and seek a confirmatory PCR test. If this is negative, you will be able to end self-isolation.
In addition, in line with the recent government announcement that vaccinations are now available to all 16 and 17 year olds, we encourage all of our learners to visit the NHS Covid-19 webpage with a view to arranging a vaccination ahead of 23rd August government target date.