UPDATED: 19 April 2021

OSAP is keeping abreast of the Covid-19 situation in the UK in a robust way, and is regularly passing updates to our students and partner programmes.

OSAP COVID-19 POLICIES AND GUIDELINES:

OSAP aims to provide the most intensive and enriching experience possible for all of our students during the current disruption to overseas study. We encourage all applicants and current students to review the OSAP Covid-19 Policies and Guidelines document, linked below, which is updated regularly. Please note that all OSAP programmes for the Hilary Term 2021, Trinity Term 2021 and Summer 2021 – as well as each term of the 2021-2022 Academic Year – are continuing as planned, and online applications are open (www.osapabroad.com/apply).

OSAP Covid-19 Policies and Guidelines

In addition, current students, prospective students, parents/guardians and home university administrators may consult various updates, detailed below, which include the latest guidance from the University of Oxford as well as OSAP’s responses.

NEW MEASURES IN ENGLAND FROM MARCH 2021:

On Monday, February 22, 2021, the British Government announced a timeline for ending current restrictions in England. Key dates include:

8th March: Schools and Colleges to reopen.

29th March: Outdoor gatherings of up to six people or two different households allowed, including in private gardens. Sports facilities to reopen. Travel outside of the local area will be allowed.

12th April: Non-essential retail to reopen, as well as restaurants, pubs (outdoor table service), gyms, swimming pools and hairdressers.

17th May: Social contact rules lifted for all outdoor activities. Six people or two households can mix indoors. Restaurants and pubs to offer indoor table service.

21st June: All legal limits on social contact removed.

In response to this announcement, the University of Oxford confirmed that it will review Government advice in early April regarding teaching provisions for Trinity term. In the meantime, “students will be allowed to return from 8 March to take part in practical teaching, access specialist facilities, or complete assessments…International students will be supported to return in time to take part in in-person teaching where necessary.” (From https://www.ox.ac.uk/coronavirus/students)

Moreover, the University “remains committed to supporting staff in undertaking their own personal risk assessments, and considering on an individual basis how their personal circumstances need to be taken into account in assessing whether, and how much, in-person teaching may be appropriate.” (From https://www.ox.ac.uk/coronavirus/status)

OSAP expects that in-person teaching for all students will resume by the start of 4th Week of the Trinity term (17th May), with a mixture of in-person and online learning (roughly half and half) continuing prior to 4th Week. OSAP and some college facilities will be available to all students throughout this time.

Please note that international students are able to leave the UK at any time should they need to return to their home country for any reason; however, they will need to quarantine when they return to the UK. Students should contact the OSAP Office if they have country-specific questions regarding quarantine requirements.

As always, please inform the OSAP Office right away if you or any of your housemates have Covid symptoms. You will in such circumstances need to take a test as soon as possible so that we can coordinate an appropriate self-isolation regime for individual student properties.

TRAVEL ADVICE:

Travel to the UK from the USA or Canada* (updated 10th March 2021):

*If you are an OSAP student travelling to England from the EU, China or elsewhere, please contact us directly ([email protected]) for travel guidance specific to your journey.

1. Complete an online locator form to supply contact details, travel arrangements and the UK address where you will be required to self-isolate for 10 days (i.e., your OSAP student accommodation – this address will be provided by the OSAP Housing Office). This form can be submitted at any time within 48 hours of your departure. See https://www.gov.uk/provide-journey-contact-details-before-travel-uk
2. Retain proof of a negative Covid-19 test taken within 72 hours prior to departure. Please see this page for more information, and always check with your airline to make sure you have met their particular pre-departure requirements for your journey.
3. Prior to your departure for the UK, book two Covid-19 tests to take during your ten-day self-isolation period in England (these are in addition to your pre-departure test, mentioned above). These two at-home tests must be taken on Day 2 and Day 8 after your arrival, and must be booked in advance (before your departure for the UK) using this online portal: https://quarantinehotels.ctmportal.co.uk/Quarantine/Home.aspx

Hopefully, these steps will eventually be streamlined into a single, easy-to-use webform.

Please contact OSAP at [email protected] should you have any questions about current travel requirements, or if you need assistance in any way as you plan your journey to Oxford.

Travel to the USA from the UK:

US authorities currently require all incoming travellers–including US citizens–from the United Kingdom to present evidence of a negative Covid-19 test taken within 72 hours prior to departure for the United States. If this requirement is still in place in April (the scheduled end date for Hilary term accommodation), OSAP will help students receive such a test in a timely manner, as indeed we will do at any point during the term whenever any student experiences Covid symptoms.

In addition, all travelers departing from England for an international destination must complete a declaration form stating that you are travelling for essential reasons (e.g. returning to your home country after completing a semester studying abroad). See this page for the form and for further instructions: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/coronavirus-covid-19-declaration-form-for-international-travel

If you are an OSAP student affected by a travel ban, you will be able to stay in OSAP accommodation for as long as necessary (although you should check in with your home university regularly and follow their advice at all times).

Departing from England:

All travelers departing from England for an international destination must complete a declaration form stating that you are travelling for essential reasons (e.g. returning to your home country after completing a semester studying abroad). See this page for the form and for further instructions: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/coronavirus-covid-19-declaration-form-for-international-travel

UNIVERSITY OF OXFORD GUIDANCE:

The University of Oxford and its constituent colleges intend to make provisions for all students for the 2020-21 Academic Year.

Please consult this website, maintained and updated regularly by the University of Oxford, for useful coronavirus advice for University colleges, students, and staff.

PUBLIC HEALTH ENGLAND GUIDANCE:

Public Health England and the UK Government have published these guidelines for anyone in any setting, chief among which is covering one’s mouth when sneezing or coughing, disinfecting surfaces, and frequent and thorough hand-washing.

ALL OSAP TERMS ARE SCHEDULED TO CONTINUE ACCORDING TO THE DETAILS LISTED BELOW:

Academic Year 2020-21: Michaelmas Term 2020, Hilary Term 2021, and Trinity Term 2021

All OSAP programmes for the 2020-21 Academic Year (Michaelmas Term 2020, Hilary Term 2021, and Trinity Term 2021)  are scheduled to continue, and online applications are open.

FURTHER QUESTIONS?

Should you have further questions, please contact [email protected].