The university will be hosting the NHS ‘Test and Trace’ asymptomatic rapid testing service at the University’s facility in Bolton One from 4^th January 2021 for ALL students based on-campus in Bolton and at Queens Campus in Farnworth.

Students are expected to take two tests at least 3 days apart before accessing campus and teaching facilities and classes in January. Please book your tests so that the second test has taken place before you are due to access the campus or go on placement in January.

Testing is entirely voluntary and students are under no obligation to take any test before returning to campus, however, we strongly encourage students to take advantage of this testing service.

For those students returning to Bolton having been away for the break

If you are returning back to Bolton having spent the break at your permanent home address, then we would advise you to take a Covid-19 test in your local/home area before you return to campus as follows:

Students who have had a positive COVID-19 PCR test (polymerase chain reaction) in the last 90 days through NHS Test and Trace, and been recorded as a positive case on the national system, do not need to be tested again, as per national guidance
Students are advised to book asymptomatic PCR testing on-line via the DHSC pillar 2 portal, selecting the following option: “My local council or health protection team has asked me (or someone I live with) to get a test, even though I do not have symptoms”

When booking a PCR test at a local testing site, to book the test 3-4 days before you are due to return to University
Please allow more time if you are booking a home PCR test, as you need to allow time for the kit to be posted to you and for you to post your completed test back.

If you test positive, please follow national guidance and self-isolate for 10 days at home before returning to University
If you test negative you may continue with your travel plans to return to University. However, if you go on to develop COVID-19 symptoms, please follow national guidance, seek testing and self-isolate. The University will be offering Lateral Flow tests for all returning students, so you may also wish to participate in this testing even though you have recently tested negative. Please note that the Lateral Flow testing is voluntary.
Students who are unable to arrange testing before they return to University, should arrange testing via the booking link below on their return and in line with DfE guidance. Please also follow national guidance on COVID-19 secure travel back to university

Information about testing and results:

Testing is free and available to all students studying at the University campus in Bolton and at Queens in Farnworth
Participation in the testing programme is entirely voluntary and you are under no obligation to undergo testing before coming back on campus
Support is available from the University if you test positive and need to self-isolate
Testing is in accordance with current government guidance

If you decide to take the tests and receive two negative tests, you will be able to come back to campus and join any face-to-face studies or placement. If you test negative but are identified as a close contact of someone who has tested positive, you must self-isolate for a period of 10 days.

If you test positive you will be asked to take a confirmatory PCR test and should self-isolate for 10 days or until the PCR test returns a negative result.

Please remember to follow the local Covid Tier restrictions in place where you live and in Bolton at all times.

If you are experiencing any Covid symptoms you should access testing through your local test centre – https://www.gov.uk/get-coronavirus-test or by calling 119.

Please read all the information on this page carefully and then book your test as early as you can.