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COVID-19 Testing for students and staff

COVID-19 testing is available to all our students and staff at the University to help keep our community safe and our cases low. Anyone who visits campus should get a test before, or when, they arrive. Read below to find out more about why testing is important, and which tests you can access.

I do not have symptoms I have symptoms

Why getting tested is important

Did you know that 1 in 3 people who have COVID-19 do not have any symptoms? This is why getting an asymptomatic test before coming to campus, or when you arrive, is the best way to protect our community and minimise the spread of COVID-19. Testing makes it possible for us to track COVID-19 cases on campus and ensure the University remains a safe environment for everybody in our community.

  • Who should get tested?

    All students who are living on campus, and all students and staff who are visiting campus, should take regular asymptomatic COVID-19 tests. The tests are free, very simple to do, and will give you piece of mind that you are keeping yourself and others safe.

  • How often should you get tested?

    You should get tested regularly, at least every three-four days. There is no limit on the number of tests staff and students can take. If anyone is coming to campus weekly, or if students live in halls, they should get tested twice a week, every week.

    Why two tests?

    Even if you don’t feel unwell, you may have very weak symptoms of COVID-19. Taking two tests allows us to pick up any cases that may have been hard to detect or were newly developed. This will help to keep cases as low as possible in our community.

  • If your results are negative

    If you test negative, you are still encouraged to book repeat tests, at least three days later, for continued peace of mind. While negative tests will help to ensure that you do not have COVID-19, we still ask that you continue to adhere to Government guidelines around social distancing and practicing good hygiene.

    If you test negative but are identified as a close contact of someone who has tested positive, you must still self-isolate for a period of 10 days unless you have been double vaccinated with a UK approved vaccination.

  • If your results are positive

    If you test positive, you will need to self-isolate and book a second test via the Government's website. This second test is using the Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) test. Results take longer to process but they will confirm if you have COVID-19 and will eliminate any risk of a false positive results.

    If this result is also positive, you will need to self-isolate for 10 days. Students need to notify the Dean of Students team. Staff will need to notify their line manager. Read more on HertsHub

    During the period of self-isolation, lots of support is available for students, including food packages, cleaning supplies and mental health and wellbeing support.

university of hertfordshire rapid testing logo

I don’t have COVID-19 symptoms – How can I get tested?

There are lots of options available to our students and staff to access asymptomatic testing.

  • Order a home test kit online

    If you can't make it to campus, you can order lateral flow tests from the Government to be delivered to your home. You will receive 7 tests in a box, with easy-to-use instructions. You will be required to report the result of your test(s) on the NHS website. Find out more on GOV.UK.

  • Collect a home test kit from campus

    To support our NHS, the University has home testing kits available for you to collect from campus.

    You will need to book a collection date, and you can pick up your kits from the following locations and times.

    Opening times and locations:

    Non-Term Time (From Monday 16 August – Friday 17 September)

    • Monday - Friday, 08:00 - 12:00
    • Chapman Lounge, College Lane (next to main reception)
    • Reception, de Havilland

    International Arrivals Weekend (Saturday 18 September – Sunday 19 September)

    • Saturday, 09:00 – 16:00
    • Sunday, 09:00 – 13:00
    • Chapman Lounge and The Oval, College Lane
    • Residences Office and Reception, de Havilland

    Home Arrivals Weekend (Saturday 25 September - Sunday 26 September)

    • Saturday, 09:00 - 18:00
    • Sunday, 10:00 - 13:00
    • Chapman Lounge and The Oval, College Lane
    • Residences Office and Reception, de Havilland

    Term time (From 20 September – 31 October)

    • Monday – Friday, 08:00 – 16:00
    • Chapman Lounge and The Oval, College Lane
    • Residences Office and Reception, de Havilland

    Each testing kit contains 7 tests, with easy-to-use instructions. When you book, you will receive a confirmation email and some instructions on how to collect.

    Once you have taken a test, you will be required to report the results on the NHS website. When you report, please select the following site ID depending on which campus you collected the test from:

    College Lane: University of Hertfordshire BGBG

    de Havilland: University of Hertfordshire BGVA

    When you use all of the tests in your home testing kit, please book another date to collect more. Alternatively, you can also order home tests kits to your home from the Government’s website.

    For students, the Government recommends that wherever possible students should undertake three supervised tests at the University's testing centre before transitioning to home testing. This is to ensure that students are confident in conducting the test, before moving to home testing. It also ensures that any students who are travelling back to their university from home are tested within a controlled setting.

    The University are offering the opportunity for students and staff to have a supervised test with their home testing kits.

  • Book a test at your Local Community Asymptomatic Testing

    If you’re not close to campus, and want to get tested before you visit, you can get a rapid lateral flow test at a local community testing site anywhere in England. Just search your postcode on the Government’s website and it will show your nearest testing site and available slots.

  • Book a test at the on-campus Asymptomatic Rapid Testing Centre

    The student and staff Asymptomatic Rapid Testing Centre is located at the Chapman Lounge, next to the Main Reception on College Lane campus. See the map.

    Students and staff must book before attending. This Testing Centre is only for people who do not have symptoms. If you develop COVID-19 symptoms before your test, do not come to the Testing Centre. Instead, please follow the Government guidance and see the NHS information below on this page.

    Opening times and locations:

    Non-Term Time (From Monday 16 August – Friday 17 September)

    • Monday - Friday, 08:00 - 12:00
    • Chapman Lounge, College Lane (next to main reception)

    International Arrivals Weekend (Saturday 18 September – Sunday 19 September)

    • Saturday, 09:00 – 16:00
    • Sunday, 09:00 – 13:00
    • Chapman Lounge, College Lane (next to main reception)
    • Reception, de Havilland

    Home Arrivals Weekend (Saturday 25 September - Sunday 26 September)

    • Saturday, 09:00 - 18:00
    • Sunday, 10:00 - 13:00
    • Chapman Lounge, College Lane (next to main reception)
    • Reception, de Havilland

    Term time (From 20 September – 31 October)

    • Monday – Friday, 08:00 – 16:00
    • Chapman Lounge, College Lane (next to main reception)
    • Reception, de Havilland

    The testing process:

    When you visit the testing centre, it is important you follow our 8 simple rules:

    1. Arrive at the Chapman Lounge at the allocated date and time. Entry is via the south door at the rear of the lounge. Remember to: 
      • wear a face covering (if you can) and remember to maintain social distancing
      • bring a copy of the email confirmation (on your phones or printed out)
      • be punctual so we can minimise queuing
    1. Collect a test kit and scan the QR code. This will register your details to the test.
    1. Enter a testing booth. You will be called forward when a booth has been sanitised and is ready.
    1. Take the test. Follow the instructions on the kit to self-administer the test (or ask a member of staff for assistance).
    1. Hand in the test to the member of staff in the booth and exit the testing unit, following the signs and directions from staff.
    1. Wait for the results. The NHS will send the results by text or email. Average results time is within one hour.
    1. Tell us if the test result is positive. You will receive a message from the University asking for their results. Please let us know so we can provide support if you need to self-isolate. Telling us the results will also help us to protect our community.

I have COVID-19 symptoms – How can I get tested?

Book a symptomatic test

To support our NHS, the University is hosting a COVID-19 testing facility, seven days a week, on de Havilland campus. This facility is for any University staff, students, or members of the local community who are showing symptoms of COVID-19. You can book a slot at this facility, or one closer to your home, on the Government website.