Broadcast: News items

Mass testing programme for staff and students

On Monday we began to deliver the Government’s mass asymptomatic testing programme (for people showing no symptoms of Covid-19) on the University’s campus.

While the testing programme is primarily to enable students to travel home safely for the winter vacation period, we have extended the testing not only to staff in essential campus roles, but also to our wider staff community

The testing uses lateral flow testing devices (LFDs) and will be done at the Sports Centre (near Falmer House). Results will be made available within 30-45 minutes.

To be confident of a negative result, it is necessary to take two tests at least three days apart.

The testing centre will be open on campus up to and including Friday 11 December.

To book a test you can complete this online booking form. You would need to take your first test by Tuesday 8 December in order to have your second test done within the time period that the facility is open.

Volunteering at Covid-19 testing centre

We appealed for volunteers to help run the testing programme, but as we met the staffing requirement many people have been notified they are not needed this time.

We would like to thank everyone who volunteered.

If you are helping out and have any queries, please do not hesitate to contact the relevant colleagues by mailing covidtesting@sussex.ac.uk and read our FAQs to see what’s involved if you are helping out.

How to travel to campus for Covid-19 test

We’ve put together some information about getting to the Sport Centre for your test, including cycling and using public transport.

For those staff driving to campus, car parking will be available in the Sport Centre car park. This will be free for one hour for people attending the site for a test. The test appointment itself should take no more than 20 minutes, so there will be time to park and return to your car after the test within the free one-hour time slot.

See also general guidance about local travel to campus.

Mobile Testing Unit – returns to campus this weekend (5-6 December) 

The Mobile Testing Unit returns to campus this weekend (Saturday 5 and Sunday 6 December) and it will be in the Arts car park (7A).

Unlike the mass testing at the Sport Centre, this testing facility is for symptomatic testing only.

Those people concerned about having Covid-19 symptoms and requiring a test should book an appointment through the national booking system.

The University also has home testing kits too, which are available to students living on campus once they have filled out the University’s reporting form.

Covid-19 dashboard and current cases

Staff can keep up to date with current infection rates within our campus community by viewing our Covid-19 reporting and information dashboard – which is being updated daily after 3pm on weekdays and data will be provided on a Monday for the previous weekend.

Information on teaching and assessments’ deadline extension

Academic staff will next week be delivering teaching entirely online in the final week of term (7–11 December). 

Students are aware that the deadline for assessments which currently have a deadline within this week (7–11 December) will now be extended by seven days. 

Assessments submitted after this date will be subject to the standard late penalties.

We are encouraging students to submit their assessments to meet the original deadline, or as early as they can so that they are able to have a good break and rest over the Winter vacation period.

You can read the information we are providing to students.