Covid-19 information for parents and guardians

The coronavirus pandemic continues to have a significant impact on the higher education sector. At Kent, the safety, wellbeing and educational attainment of our students is of paramount importance. Students' needs are central to our decision making and planning.

Health and wellbeing

Any student who is concerned that they might have Covid-19, should follow our self-isolate-test-inform procedure, which includes a form that enables students to let the University know that they are self-isolating. We have a comprehensive package of support for students who need to self-isolate whether they are on- or off-campus.

We have Local Testing Sites at both our Canterbury and Medway campuses that students can visit to get a PCR test. The Canterbury campus LTS is located on the Rutherford Car Park and is open 08.00-18.00, seven days a week. The LTS on the Medway campus is located in front of the Jellicoe building, in the car park accessed by North Road. It is open from 08.00-18.00, seven days a week.

We encourage all our students and staff to take part in regular asymptomatic testing when coming to campus. Test kits can be ordered online and from a number of community locations such as pharmacies and libraries. 

The University Nursing Service also provides a 24/7 service to students at Canterbury campus during term-time.

Our Student Support and Wellbeing Service is on hand to offer free confidential counselling, mental health support and specialist disability support. Appointments can be made by telephone or email.  In addition, the Colleges and Community Life Team provides welfare support as well as organising a range of activities for students to assist with creating a sense of community and belonging.

Keeping our campuses safe

As well as having Local Testing Sites on campus, we are also taking other measures to ensure safety of our students, staff and the local community.

All our buildings have undergone thorough safety inspections and risk assessments. We have hand sanitiser available at building entrances and other key areas. 

We’re regularly communicating with our staff and students to provide useful guidance relating to Coronavirus. We have dedicated Student and Staff websites, which we are updating frequently with the latest Government guidance. On these pages you can also view the latest communications with our students and staff relating to coronavirus.   

Key safety messages are communicated to our students and staff via email, through on-campus signage and ongoing social media content. This messaging includes encouraging all our students and staff to get vaccinated against Covid-19.

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