As the period of national restriction ends on Wednesday 2 December, the UK Government has created a travel window, allowing students to return home for the winter break should you wish. This has included a process of mass testing, which BU is participating in at the Government’s request. Information about this can be found on the BU website.
The UK Government has confirmed that international students currently in the UK can travel home, even if that is overseas, if you wish to.
The Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) provides guidance on risks associated with overseas travel, including current restrictions that may be in place as a result of Covid-19. A list of these restrictions by-country can be found on the gov.uk website.
Furthermore, the Government website has a page of travel advice related to travel during Covid-19 restrictions, and the restrictions which may be in place for a particular country you are seeking to travel from/to.
We advise that you check these pages before confirming travel arrangements, as well as your own Government or Embassy website to understand any potential travel restrictions. Before travelling please also make sure you review the latest government guidance on local restrictions tiers by area. These changes will come into effect from Wednesday 2nd December.
Please make sure you fully understand the restrictions in place for your country, and what self-isolation you may need to undertake when travelling between countries before confirming your travel, both from and to the UK.
If your travel is booked outside this period, or you are travelling abroad, we will not be able to provide you with a test after our testing period (1-9 December) has ended. As such, if you are tested, you should minimise contact with others between your negative test and returning home to reduce the risk of spreading the virus. You should be able to travel after the travel window has ended as long as you are not self-isolating.
The mass testing facility on campus is unlikely to provide results that will allow you to travel, so please check on the testing you may need when travelling internationally, and book this as necessary.
If you are planning on staying in the UK over the winter break, support will be available for you. We will communicate with you further about this shortly.
