Covid travel window for Leeds students to go home starts today - how it works for Leeds University, Leeds Trinity and Leeds Beckett

What is the student travel window and how does it work?

The students at universities across the country are allowed to travel home between today (December 3) and December 9 to reunite with their families for the festive break.

This includes students at universities in Leeds, but universities are expected to set staggered departure dates during this “student travel window” and work with other institutions in the region to manage pressure on transport infrastructure.

It is hoped the risk of transmission will be reduced as students will be travelling after the four-week period of national restrictions in England.

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Universities have been told to move learning online by December 9 so students can study from their family homes.

The travel window excludes students who have tested positive or been notified by the NHS test and trace system and are isolating.

Those students who don’t return home by 9 December are advised to undertake a further period of restricted contact either before or after returning home to minimise the risk of transmission.

Lateral flow tests which can test for Coronavirus with results given within an hour are being made use of across the country at universities so that students are able to get tested before returning home.

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The tests are being offered to detect any asymptomatic cases that might be taken home unintentionally.

The testing is being targeted based on a range of factors including local prevalence rates, whether testing is available already and the percentage of high-risk students in each institution.

What University of Leeds said and how students can get tested before going home

Face-to-face teaching at the University of Leeds will end on December 9, two days before the end of term on December 11.

Online teaching will continue until December 11.

The University of Leeds are providing asymptomatic testing facilities on campus in the Refectory and The Edge between November 30 and December 9.

It is encouraging students to book a test in the earlier part of the travel window if they have no scheduled face-to-face education after December 2.

Tests should be booked online via the university website.

Leeds University is making students aware that the Government advises that two asymptomatic tests three days apart before leaving the university is ideal and journeys must be made immediately within 24 hours after the final negative result has been received.

The University of Leeds have a section of their website for frequently asked questions and further information.

A spokesperson for the University of Leeds said: “We continue to work with Leeds City Council, other higher education providers in the city and various travel organisations – as well as Leeds University Union colleagues – as we implement government guidance for the end of term. Extensive travel guidance has been provided via our dedicated coronavirus website.

“We have been encouraged by the response of our student community in booking COVID-19 tests at our two asymptomatic testing centres on campus.

"Throughout the pandemic, the health and wellbeing of students and staff has been our priority – this remains the case for students travelling from Leeds during the winter break, as well as those planning to be in Leeds.”

What Leeds Beckett University said and how students can get tested before going home

Testing is available at both City and Headingley campuses between 30 November and 9 December.

Leeds Beckett University is warning that availability is limited and tests must be booked in advance through ‘My Hub’.

The university emailed students on 11 November with a detailed explanation of how travelling home during the travel window will be applied.

What Leeds Trinity University said and how students can get tested before going home

Leeds Trinity University will be hosting a new NHS Test and Trace centre offering students on campus free Lateral Flow tests.

The testing centre opened on the campus on Monday November 30, and students are encouraged to book a slot online for a single test.

Those who test negative are being asked to return home within the travel window immediately after their result or within 24 hours.

Participation is voluntary for Leeds Trinity students but the university is encouraging students to take advantage of the testing.

Students will receive information about how to book a test via email but frequently asked questions and information pages are also available on the Leeds Trinity University website.

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