Coronavirus (COVID-19) and self-isolation

What is self-isolation?

Self-isolation is when you stay at home because you have symptoms of coronavirus or you have a positive test result. An infected person can spread the virus through talking, breathing, coughing or sneezing. You will not necessarily display symptoms, and so if you do not leave your home you will prevent spreading the virus to other people. The Government has issued guidance on self-isolation and the most up to date guidance can be found  here.

 

When to self-isolate

If you have symptoms or have tested positive for coronavirus, you'll need to self-isolate. You may also need to self-isolate if:

• If you have travelled to the UK from abroad. Find out more here.
• You or someone you live with in your household is displaying signs of coronavirus (a high temperature, a new continuous cough, or a loss or change to your sense of smell or taste)
• You, a close ‘contact’ or someone you live with in your household have tested positive for coronavirus
• You’re identified as a contact and asked to self-isolate by NHS Test and Trace, including by the NHS Covid-19 app.

For clarity, your household will be your home address, but you will form a new household with your flat when you arrive at iQ.

From 16th August 2021, if you are a contact of someone who has COVID-19 and you are fully vaccinated, or aged under 18 years 6 months, you have taken part in or currently part of an approved COVID-19 vaccine trial, or if you have not been able to get vaccinated for medical reasons, you will not require to self-isolate.

Further information for England can be found here and for Scotland here.

Travel and self-isolation

What you must do depends on whether you qualify as fully vaccinated under the rules for travel to England.

There are different rules if you have been in a red list country or territory in the 10 days before you arrive in England. Red list rules apply whether you are fully vaccinated or not.When entering England from a country or territory on the red list, you must quarantine in a managed quarantine hotel for 10 days. You must do this even if you are fully vaccinated.

You will need to book and take COVID-19 tests upon arrival into the UK from all countries and territories (apart from Ireland, the UK, Channel Islands and the Isle of Man).

Full travel information for entering Scotland can be found here and Wales can be found here.

 

Getting a test

If you display symptoms of coronavirus then you must get a test as soon as possible. You can find out how to get a COVID-19 test here (for England and Wales) and here (for Scotland).

You can order a PCR test kit to be sent to your home or book an appointment at a walk-in or drive-through test site.

If you aren’t displaying symptoms and are not eligible for a PCR test, you can order a rapid lateral flow test to be sent to your home.

Those entering the UK from abroad are required to book COVID-19 tests.

 

Managing your symptoms

The NHS provides guidance on managing coronavirus symptoms at home, see here.

You should call 111 if you cannot cope with your symptoms at home. You should call 999 if you’re symptoms become severe, for example struggling to breathe. Detailed information on what to do can be found here.

 

 

Self-isolation at iQ

Residents should feel comfortable and able to relax in the comfort of their home. To keep everyone safe, there are some basic recommendations that those self-isolating should follow, both in line with government guidance and as a precaution of shared accommodation.

We recommend you tell your flatmates/neighbours that you are self-isolating so that you have the support you need, and everyone feels safe and respected in their home. You can notify iQ staff that you are self-isolating, through the iQ app (see self-isolation in the updates section)

During your self-isolation period, you must not leave your own room or studio. The only exceptions being:

• To use shared the kitchens for short times as detailed below
• To evacuate the building in an emergency, such as a fire alarm.

In both instances you must physically distance yourself from others.

Do not use common areas.

Do not visit Reception, please contact iQ staff via the app, or give us a ring. 

To dispose of waste, please double-bag it and leave the bag outside your door. Notify your team and they will collect it.

If you are in a cluster flat:

• If you need to use a shared kitchen, you should do this at a time when no other people are present. If this is not possible, please maintain a physical distance from others and avoid face to face contact
• Make sure you clean any surfaces you have touched thoroughly, before and after use. Take your food back to your room to eat.

 

 How we are supporting you

It’s a good idea to identify an iQ neighbour who can help support you during your self-isolation. This person can pick up parcels or sign for grocery shopping. Should you not have anyone to support you, then iQ will assist with:

• collection of parcels
• receiving grocery shopping
• periodically taking out refuse
• emergency repairs and maintenance

We still want to keep things social. iQ has a number of virtual events, and clubs for you to enjoy and keep you connected while you are self-isolating. Head over to www.iqstudentaccommodation.com/life to find out about all the great things that you can be part of.

 

 

Getting to your iQ location

Before entering the UK and upon arrival you will be required to:

• Complete a form online with your contact and travel details and show your form when you arrive at the airport. The UK Government will use this information to contact you if you, or someone you’ve travelled with, develops coronavirus symptoms, and to check that you’re self-isolating. Contact will also be used to verify you are isolating in a quarantine hotel if required to do so
• Go straight to the place where you will self-isolate. Friends or family can collect you from the airport, port or station. You should only use public transport if you have no other option. If you do use public transport, wear a face covering and stay 2 metres apart from others.

iQ offers airport transfers through our partner Pinglocker, which can be booked through your iQ app – just click on the arrival products and services icon.

You must not travel to iQ accommodation if arriving from any country in the UK travel red list, you must book in to a quarantine hotel to isolate for 10 days. Once your period of isolation has ended you will be permitted to move in and collect your keys.

For those arriving from outside of the UK but not on the red list, once you arrive at your accommodation, our staff will give you the keys to your room. Where you need to quarantine you should stay at the address you provided on the passenger locator form, and as soon as you arrive at your place of quarantine (if this is your iQ home) then you should, as far as possible, avoid contact with other people in the place you're quarantining to reduce the risk of spreading coronavirus. There are some exceptional circumstances that apply and for which you can leave, this includes if you:

• require urgent medical treatment
• need support from social services
• need to get food and medicine and cannot get them delivered, or get a friend or family member to bring them
• are going to the funeral of a close relative, or for other compassionate reasons
• need to leave the building because there is an emergency, for example there’s a fire at the place you’re staying.

 

 

Arriving at iQ for the first time

If you are arriving from a country outside of the UK you may be required to self-isolate.

If you are arriving from a country on the UK’s red list, then you must book a quarantine hotel for your period of self-isolation.

iQ has continued to support our residents throughout the pandemic, and will continue to do all we can to create safe, welcoming homes.

We have adapted our service to meet the changing needs of residents. We have moved to a zero contact parcel service which includes delivering packages to rooms of those self-isolating; enhancing our iQ app so you can manage your stay digitally, and order items such as bedding packs, cleaning and laundry services; as well as assisting with food deliveries to rooms.

 

 

For the latest Government guidance: