Social distancing and your accommodation

Keeping safe in University accommodation

You and your flatmates are part of a household. Whilst you do not need to socially distance or wear face masks at home, there are some other ways that you can keep each other safe:

• Wash your hands regularly, for at least 20 seconds, with soap.
• Wash your towels and bedding on a hot wash (at least 60 degrees).
• Limit your social interactions with people from outside your shared house.
• Avoid anyone showing Covid-19 symptoms.
• Keep your room ventilated by keeping a window open.
• Don’t share crockery, glasses and cutlery.
• Remember to use a separate tea towel for drying everything.
• Clean surfaces before and after use with your normal cleaning products.

What to do if a flatmate develops symptoms

Anyone who develops symptoms should get a test.

If you, or anyone you live with, develops symptoms or has tested positive for coronavirus (COVID-19), you must self-isolate immediately. You must not leave your home and you must not have visitors in your home, including friends and family.

If you develop symptoms or test positive you must inform the University and notify your department so you can engage with your teaching online.

Having guests and overnight visitors

As of the 17 May 2021, The UK Government have announced that they are easing some of the restrictions placed on household mixing.  Following Government advice, mixing indoors of two households or up to six individuals is now permitted.  Your standard or ensuite flat is considered your household.  If you are in a self-contained apartment or studio flat this is considered to be its own household.

Your household is only permitted to have people either from one other household or if you have people visiting you from more than one household, the total number of people present in your flat - including your flatmates - must not exceed six.

Please make sure you discuss having visitors with your flatmates beforehand and make sure none of them are arranging for visitors at the same time. 

It is also possible now to have an overnight visitor to stay with you – again, please cooperate with your flatmates and ensure that they are not having other visitors at that time, as this would be outside of the permitted rules.

You will also need to let us know by contacting the Student Services Hub. Please let the team know the name of the person staying overnight, as well as their contact details and how long they will be staying (children under 16 are not permitted to stay overnight in our accommodation).

If you live in a designated single gender flat, you are not permitted to have guests of the opposite gender visit or stay overnight.

Please remember, that you are responsible for the behaviour of your guests. Additional beds and linen are not available.

Support bubbles

University of Essex students living on campus are not deemed to be single adults living alone, however, you may be eligible to form a support bubble with one other person if you have an evidenced disability support need and are registered with the Student Wellbeing & Inclusivity Service (SWIS). If you would like to discuss this further please contact your named SWIS adviser or complete the online enquiry form and SWIS will provide further advice and information to you. 

If you are struggling with your mental or emotional health please know that the Student Wellbeing and Inclusivity Service is here to support you at this time. You can request a drop in appointment with our team through the online form and have a chat about anything that is troubling you.

What to do if others aren’t following the guidelines

We are all part of one community and have a collective responsibility to comply with regulations and promote positive behaviours to protect ourselves and those around us.

Persistent and/or serious alleged breaches of COVID19 requirements will not be tolerated and should be reported to the Student Progress Team (Conduct).

If you become aware that someone in your residence is not following the University’s health and safety regulations and guidance please let them know in a friendly and polite way. If do not feel comfortable raising this with them yourself you should contact your Residents’ Assistant (RA) for advice or contact Security.

What happens if you break the rules

Persistent and/or serious alleged breaches of COVID19 requirements will be reviewed in accordance with our Code of Student Conduct. Where an allegation is proven members of the group can be fined if it is found that they failed to follow the rules and a fine is deemed to be an appropriate penalty.