Latest Covid-19 Guidelines - Updated 27th January 2022
Covid-19 continues to be with us and therefore we ask you to take the following precautions when you attend Blackburn College
Take a Lateral Flow Test
A Lateral Flow Test should be performed at the start of the week before classes. Then, after that you should continue to test at least once more during the week.
If you do not have a test kit they are available to collect from College reception and entrance areas.
You should record your results in two places. Register your result at www.gov.uk and the Blackburn College website.
Register your results here:
Report a COVID-19 rapid lateral flow test result - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)
Home Test Results | Blackburn College
You should then continue testing twice weekly at home and report all results using the links above.
Masks and Face Coverings
From Thursday 27th January 2022 face-coverings and masks will not need to be worn. There may be times when you feel more comfortable wearing a face covering. Please continue to wear one if so. Please remember to respect the choices of others if they continue to wear face coverings.
Hand-sanitiser and Hand Washing
Washing your hands and using hand-sanitiser helps control the virus spread. Please ensure you use hand-sanitiser regularly and when you enter our buildings and practise regular and thorough hand-washing.
Exams and assessments in 2022
All examinations in 2022 will take place and students are required to participate. If you have any questions or concerns please liaise directly with your Personal Tutor. Your individual tutors will be able to advise on the format of any exams and assessments.
The main symptoms of coronavirus (Covid-19) are:
- a high temperature – this means you feel hot to touch on your chest or back (you do not need to measure your temperature)
- a new, continuous cough – this means coughing a lot for more than an hour, or 3 or more coughing episodes in 24 hours (if you usually have a cough, it may be worse than usual)
- a loss or change to your sense of smell or taste – this means you've noticed you cannot smell or taste anything, or things smell or taste different to normal
What to do if you have symptoms
If you have any of the main symptoms of Covid-19, even if they're mild:
- Get a PCR test (test that is sent to a lab) to check if you have Covid-19 as soon as possible.
- Stay at home, do not come into College and do not have visitors (self-isolate) until you get your test result – only leave your home to have a test.
- Let your Personal Tutor know that you will not be attending College until you get your results.
Information on the changes to the self-isolation period for individuals who test positive for Covid-19
The 10 day-self-isolation period for people who record a positive test result for Covid-19 has been reduced to 5 days in most circumstances, unless you cannot test for any reason.
If you test positive you should take Lateral Flow Tests on day 5 and day 6 of your self-isolation period.
If you receive two negative test results are no longer required to complete 10 full days of self-isolation. The first test must be taken no earlier than day 5 of the self-isolation period and tests must be taken 24 hours apart.
If both these test results are negative, and you do not have a high temperature, you may end your self-isolation after the second negative test result and return to College. This means you could be back in College at the start of day 6.
If these tests remain positive you should continue your self-isolation until day 10.
Vaccinations
As part of national guidance, 16 and 17 year olds are now being encouraged to come forward and have their second dose of the Covid-19 vaccine. The young adults of Blackburn with Darwen are now able to play their part in helping us return to normal life by getting their Covid-19 vaccination.
Did you know?
All bus operators in Blackburn with Darwen are offering free transport to anyone going to get their Covid-19 vaccination. Just let the bus driver know where you’re going when you get on!
