Coronavirus information
Coronavirus updates
The top priority of St John's College is the health, safety, and wellbeing of our entire community.
Please remain aware of the symptoms of Covid-19 and follow the latest NHS advice to prevent spread to others.
Individuals can reduce the risk of catching and passing on Covid-19 by:
a. vaccination remains one of the best methods of defence against the further spread of Covid-19. We encourage staff and students to take up the offer of the Covid-19 vaccine, and the booster jab as soon as you are eligible;
b. Letting fresh air in if meeting indoors, or holding meetings outside;
c. Staying at home if you are unwell and avoiding contact with other people;
e. Taking a test if you have Covid-19 symptoms, limited numbers are available from the Health and Wellbeing Centre;
f. Washing your hands thoroughly and frequently, and following advice to ‘Catch it, Bin it, Kill it’.
Self-isolation and quarantine
Although it is no longer a legal requirement to self-isolate if you develop symptoms (headache, sore throat, fever, new cough) or test positive for Covid-19, NHS guidance remains that you should self isolate. It is also advised to take a lateral flow test (LFT) if you are symptomatic and you have access to a test which can be purchased from pharmacies or online.
There may be a limited supply available from the Health and Wellbeing Centre. If you are symptomatic or test positive, please complete the relevant online reporting form (found the the section below). We will then provide specific advice for your individual circumstance. Please also consult the Government advice.
If you have symptoms you should:
- Stay at home where possible and avoid contact with other people as you would with the flu.
- Take a lateral flow test test if you have access to one. A test may be available from the Health Centre
- Do not visit the Health & Wellbeing Centre in person, contact the College Nurse via the reporting form.
Complete all of the applicable sections of the relevant reporting form below with as much information as possible.
Please note, information may be shared if it is felt appropriate but it will be handled sensitively, proportionately and in accordance with Data Protection and GDPR legislation. We are collecting this data to track the Covid-19 risk to the College community, and we will keep the data for 12 months or until it is no longer needed.
Self-isolation
If you have a positive Covid-19 test result, stay at home and avoid contact with other people for five days after the day you took your test. At the end of this period, if you have a high temperature or feel unwell, continue to stay at home until you feel well enough to resume normal activities, and you no longer have a high temperature.
The government advice on how to avoid spreading Covid-19 to people you live with has further information.
Before returning to study, you should avoid meeting people at higher risk of becoming seriously unwell from Covid-19, especially those whose immune system means that they are at higher risk of serious illness from Covid-19 despite vaccination, for 10 days after the day you took your test.
If you are a member of College staff, a return to work will need to be discussed with your line manager.
When returning to work you should avoid meeting people at higher risk of becoming seriously unwell from Covid-19, especially those who immune system means that they are at higher risk of serious illness from Covid-19 despite vaccination, for 10 days after the day you took your test.
People sharing a household
For those sharing a household with someone who has Covid-19 symptoms or has tested positive for Covid-19 continue to minimise contact with other people and work from home if you can.
Ensure windows are open in communal areas, wash hands for 20 seconds regularly and especially after sneezing/coughing or before handling food. Try not to touch your face.
If you go on to develop symptoms of Covid-19 or you receive a positive test result, you should follow the advice set out above.
View the latest University-wide advice, including the new Stay Safe Cambridge Uni section.
The College is committed to ensuring all self-isolating students have appropriate support.
The College will offer meals which will be available via click and collect. Students would be charged as per normal for these facilities via Upay.
Key information for students supporting those in self isolation/quarantine
Student guide on ordering food and provisions whilst in self-isolation
Covid-19 reporting form
The College Covid-19 Reporting Forms below are for students, Fellows, academic affiliates and staff to notify the College Nurse, the Senior Tutor, and the duty Porters that you either have:
- tested positive for COVID-19 or
- symptoms of coronavirus (headache, sore throat, runny nose, fever, cough );
Covid-19 Reporting Form - Students and Residential Fellows
Covid-19 Reporting Form - Non-Residential Fellows and Academic Affiliates
University guidance
The University of Cambridge and Colleges cooperate closely with Public Health England’s Health Protection Team in Cambridge. The collegiate University has well developed protocols to prepare for and, if necessary, deal with communicable diseases. St John’s, like all Colleges, has made the necessary preparations to protect our community.
Read the latest guidance and statements from the University of Cambridge
Read the latest Government guidance
Government guidance for self isolation when arriving in the UK
Face coverings
Face coverings policy
There is no legal requirement to wear face coverings.
Face coverings are no longer required in the College.
Please continue to respect the wishes of others who may wish to wear a mask as we navigate this phase as a College.
Health and wellbeing
Health & Wellbeing Centre
The Health and Wellbeing Centre is staffed Monday to Friday between 8.30 a.m. and 4.30 pm except when the College closes for the Christmas period and the August Bank holiday weekend.
The College Covid 19 reporting form goes to the Health centre team and someone will follow up to see how you are when it is received. This will usually be by email initially but a follow up Zoom chat or phone call can be arranged if needed. Should further follow up be needed, we will sign post to the appropriate service i.e., your GP.
Access to LFTs is no longer available free of charge from the NHS, they are readily available from pharmacies or on line.
Mental health crisis support services
Out-of-hours mental health support
Mitigating the impact of Covid-19 on the mental health and wellbeing of our Students at St John's remains a priority and we encourage you to contact the Health and Wellbeing Centre to access support available. If your mental or emotional state quickly gets worse outside of standard working hours, or if you're worried about someone you know, out-of-hours help is available.
The nurses are available to discuss and advise about any problems that contracting Covid 19 may cause you. Please email either nurse to seek advice or make an appointment via Moodle.
If an acute problem and you feel unsafe please dial NHS 111 and choose option 2 or tell a friend or tell the porters or phone the Health Centre.
Pastoral support
Chapel
The Chapel is open for both private prayer/College visitors and for formal services and rehearsals.
The Rev'd Andrew Hammond, can be contacted at ach71@cam.ac.uk and on 07917 535940. Canon Mark Oakley, the Dean of Chapel, can be contacted on M.Oakley@joh.cam.ac.uk. Visit the Chapel & Choirs page for the latest information.
Multi-Faith Prayer Room
The Multi-Faith Prayer Room - D8 Cripps is available for use. This room can be booked for single use at any time of the day or night on the online booking system. Please collect a key for access from the Cripps Porters Lodge. Cleaning products will be left in the room for you to use, as necessary.
Online meeting resources
The following resources have been gathered to assist those who are working with digital collaborative tools such as Zoom and Teams.