COVID measures archive

Update - 22 February 2022

Following the recent government announcement on COVID restrictions in England, we want to ensure clarity on the measures and expectations that remain in place for our School and members of our community: 

• All measures set out earlier this term remain in place, including testing to access campus and mask wearing
• If you test positive, you are still advised to stay at home and avoid contact with others for at least five full days. This remains the guidance from the UK government.
• We are a community who needs to look after ourselves and one another. If you are unwell, do not come to campus until your symptoms subside

We continue to review COVID measures at LSE on an ongoing basis. Our School community can expect a further update during the week of 28 February 2022.

LSE COVID measures | Lent Term 2022

Measures outlined below closely follow the protocols in place at the start of Michaelmas Term 2021. This decision takes into account our commitment to go beyond nation-wide restrictions where deemed appropriate, alongside consideration of our local situation, academic expertise and the needs of our community. This will help ensure we can keep our School safe, limit potential disruption and support staff and students.

Mask wearing: masks are mandatory for everyone in lifts and in some confined spaces, as well as for students in all teaching rooms, unless exempt. In all other areas of LSE buildings, masks are strongly encouraged for everyone but no longer mandatory.

Testing to access campus: you need valid proof of a negative COVID-19 test from the last 4 days (for example the day of your visit or one of the three days prior) if you are coming to campus – you may be asked to show this at any time

How to take and record your self-test

Campus working arrangements, research and staff meetings

There is an expectation that staff will resume working arrangements which were in place before the School advised staff to work remotely where they can, in response to the government's Plan B guidance. Staff who are unsure or have questions about returning can speak to their line manager.

Whilst School committee meetings will remain online, meetings between staff, research meetings, departmental gatherings and away days can resume in person. Where social distancing cannot be met or meetings take place in confined spaces, masks are required. Training on conducting hybrid meetings and blended working can be found online.

Face-to-face meetings on campus with students and staff

All meetings between staff and students for educational purposes, such as office hours, supervision or mentoring, should take place in person. Where social distancing of 2 metres is not possible, students should wear masks, unless exempt, and staff are strongly encouraged to wear masks.

For other support meetings, such as counselling, disability and wellbeing, or careers – meetings can take place in person or online, depending on the preference of the student and availability of the service. Please contact the relevant department for more information.

On-campus social and public events

Social and other events (such as our lecture series) can resume on campus, with additional testing requirements in place. Attendees at our lecture series events will need a valid negative test dated within the past four days to attend the event. Social events require a valid negative test dated  the day before or the day of the event - please check before attending. Risk assessments are required for all events.

Whilst there is no limit on capacity, events are not open to the public at this time.

Changes to the travel-related testing on campus

In response to wider changes around testing and travel to the UK, we will also be shifting the focus of our LSE Testing Centre to only providing rapid lateral flow tests for students and staff to take to access campus.

This means that, from 25 February, staff and students will no longer be able to book tests through the testing centre portal. Lateral flow tests will continue to be available and can be collected from reception desks across campus.

Next review

We intend to keep these measures in place in until the end of Lent Term (1 April). However, we will continue to assess the local situation to see whether any measures should be changed.

We will also continue with our ongoing COVID-secure measures, including ventilation, cleaning, on-campus testing centre and our LSE Trace team, as outlined below.

Other COVID-secure measures

We will continue with all enhanced ventilation measures including increasing fan speeds, fan running times and 24/7 operation, to provide increased ventilation rates. LSE Estates are installing CO2 monitors to all teaching spaces that currently do not have them, as an additional monitoring measure.

Ventilation rates in all classrooms are being tested to check they are running in line with the latest relevant guidance below, which has been published by the HSE (Health and Safety Executive), CIBSE (Chartered Institute of Building Services Engineers) and USHA (Universities Safety and Health Association) in the last few months:

• HSE: Ventilation and air conditioning during the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic
• CIBSE: COVID-19 Ventilation (version 5)
• USHA: Ventilation as a control measure in managing the spread of COVID-19 (login required).

We will continue with thorough cleaning regimes as well as providing wipes and regular hand sanitising points.

Ongoing monitoring of the local situation and LSE case rates through LSE Trace will continue, as well as the weekly wellness check-in. Anyone who tests positive or experiences COVID-19 symptoms should self-isolate and not come onto campus, and should contact the LSE Trace team for guidance and support.

Whilst updated government guidance for higher education institutions outlines that in-person educational activity should continue, we have reviewed our current measures and made some changes which will impact staff and students, including COVID-secure protocols, events, staff working arrangements, and plans for in-person January exams.

In summary, these include:

In order to keep LSE’s campus open for work and study, everyone coming to campus must do the following: 

• Take a lateral flow test and record a result with the NHS on the day or day before you wish to gain access to an LSE building 
• Wear a mask in classrooms and lifts and other confined spaces, as well as inside School buildings (apart from socially distanced shared offices and individual offices), unless exempt.

Students are still expected to return for in-person compulsory teaching for the start of Lent Term but with mitigations in place if disruption – through illness, self-isolation or other exceptional circumstances, such as unforeseen travel cancellations at very short notice – mean they cannot come to campus to study on time as planned. These are in place for the first two weeks of term as we return to campus.

Where possible, staff are advised to work remotely, unless they are required on campus due to the nature of their role (including to support the graduation ceremonies), have unsuitable remote working conditions or want to work on campus for health and wellbeing reasons

Exams will not be delivered in-person from 10 to 14 January

For in-person and social events, from 4 January until the end of week two of Lent Term (28 January):

• Any non-teaching related work events among staff planned to take place in-person on campus such as research seminars or departmental away-days, should be conducted online  
• There will be no social events amongst staff or between staff and students on campus. This is due to the UK government asking higher education institutions to prioritise teaching and learning as well as take measures to reduce transmission, which is most likely at social events.

For Halls of Residence, upon check in, students must show evidence of a negative COVID-19 test result dated the day before or the day of your arrival.  Once resident in the hall, students must test twice a week, and be prepared to show evidence of a negative COVID-19 test result dated within the last four days, upon request by reception staff.  If attending campus, students must adhere to the School’s policy for access to LSE buildings on campus.

All other COVID-secure campus measures remain in place and we will continue to review our approach to in-person and social events and all other measures at LSE.

You can find fuller information on these measures below, including COVID-secure protocols, events, staff working arrangements, and plans for in-person January exams. 

On-campus measures beginning 13 December

From Monday 13 December, you will need a valid negative COVID test dated the day before or the day of your visit to access campus. This is a change from the current, four-day requirement and will remain in place until further notice.

Mask wearing is required inside all buildings on campus for staff, students and visitors, unless exempt.

LSE’s campus will remain open, with some changes to catering outlet opening times next week. Updates will be available online in due course. As planned, during the School closure period some LSE buildings will close on 22 December and re-open on 4 January.

All other campus measures will remain in place, including cleaning and venilation standards introduced earlier in the pandemic.

Large-scale gatherings and social events

To ensure the safety of our staff and students, we have made the decision to cancel any on-campus social events taking place from Friday 10 December onwards. This includes the cancellation of graduation receptions and holiday celebrations for staff, whether at a team, divisional or School level.

LSE’s Residential Life programme, which involves events outside of halls of residence, will go ahead and some events in halls over the winter break will continue as planned. More information will be provided by halls’ teams.

Graduation ceremonies will still take place next week, as the seated nature of the event, our high level of existing COVID-secure measures and regulations in England make it possible for these to continue with more controlled safety measures in place. However, any graduands who have booked tickets and are unable to attend the ceremonies next week will be invited to consider a future graduation event date – more information will be shared in due course. Graduands who attend next week will not be offered further opportunities to attend graduation activities in the future.

For in-person and social events, from 4 January until the end of week two of Lent Term (28 January):

• Any non-teaching related work events among staff planned to take place in-person on campus such as research seminars or departmental away-days, should be conducted online  
• There will be no social events amongst staff or between staff and students on campus. This is due to the UK government asking higher education institutions to prioritise teaching and learning as well as take measures to reduce transmission, which is most likely at social events.

Staff working arrangements

The UK government has outlined that they expect in-person teaching and learning activities to continue and LSE is committed to doing so as long as the School Management Committee is of the view that this can be undertaken in a COVID-secure way. As such, staff who need to be on campus to perform some or part of their role are required to continue to work on campus.

Where possible, staff are advised to work remotely, but staff can continue to access campus workspaces if they have unsuitable conditions for remote working or need to work on campus for health or wellbeing reasons.

If you are unsure how this applies to you, including if you are at higher risk and need reasonable adjustments, please speak to your line manager and HR partner.

January assessment and Lent Term arrangements

On-campus timed in-person exams, due to run from 10-14 January will no longer take place in person. This is due to possible further travel changes and restrictions, allowing additional time for students to return and meet any testing or isolation requirements if needed for the start of term. If you are traveling over this period, please pay close attention to any local and UK government guidance. If you are due to sit an overseas exam, this will no longer take place in person.

Colleagues are reviewing how assessments can be delivered and we will provide an update to students no later than 21 December. For this reason the exam timetable will not be released today.

In-person teaching and learning will recommence on the first day of Lent Term, 17 January 2022. We are confident that we have a COVID-secure campus for safe teaching and learning, with measures in place to reduce risk as much as possible and protect our community. We expect students to return for in-person teaching for the start of Lent Term, as we continue to monitor the situation and update students and staff as needed.

Following the UK government’s COVID update over the weekend, we are strengthening our COVID-secure measures at LSE – with the expectation that staff and students wear a mask at all times while indoors in one of LSE’s buildings on campus. This is in line with the requirements announced for education providers and enhances our measures already in place.

Below, we’ve outlined further information about what this means for our School, including plans for in-person assessments in January 2022. We also ask that you review the updated UK government guidance for England, including changes to mask-wearing, travel and close contact isolation.

The following measures will remain in place for the remainder of term, and will be reviewed on 13 December 2021.

On-campus measures beginning Tuesday 30 November

From Tuesday 30 November, students and staff are expected to wear masks while indoors, in all campus buildings, unless you are exempt

In office areas, if staff or research students work in a socially distanced way sitting 2-metres or more apart from each other, they are strongly encouraged to wear masks but not required to do so. Where work cannot take place in a socially distanced way, including meetings, mask wearing is mandatory.

Our testing requirement remains in place, meaning you must have evidence of a valid negative test from the past 4 days or sooner to enter campus buildings with random checks being undertaken

In-person social events and graduation events will continue as planned with increased testing restrictions requiring a valid negative test from the day of, or the day before the event. The status of these events will be under constant review in this developing situation.

All other campus measures will remain in place

In-person exams and assessments in January 2022 

In-person exams during the January assessment period will go ahead as planned. Students will be required to wear masks during the exam, unless exempt. Between now and the January assessment period, we will continue to monitor changes to the situation and may revise measures in place to ensure the safety of both students and staff.

Saturday’s announcement included changes to isolation and testing upon arrival in the UK, and we recognise that this, as well as the potential for further changes around travel, may be cause for concern, especially relating to arrivals for exams. There is a range of support available for assessments and we will be adding to our FAQs in the coming week with further information on what to do if students concerned.

Changes to travel and entry requirements to the UK 

New entry requirements state that fully-vaccinated returning individuals will be required to take a PCR test by day 2 after arrival and must self-isolate until a negative test result has been confirmed. Students and staff returning to the UK from abroad, should allow enough time for the mandatory self-isolation period to pass before they are required on campus.  

LSE will continue to offer free on-campus PCR tests for staff and students with an estimated wait time of 1-2 days for results. While we cannot offer a rapid-turnaround service from our testing centre, there are several providers who can offer rapid PCR tests, with some providing results within 3 hours of taking the test.

Throughout this extended period, we will have a series of check points to assess our cases and the wider situation, and if at any point it is necessary to change our safety measures, we will communicate this to you. We will update you with the measures and review points for the duration of Lent Term by 21 January 2022. 

Mask wearing

Mask wearing is still mandatory in teaching and learning spaces for students, as well as in lifts for all students, staff and visitors

Student mask wearing is required where prolonged contact is likely between students and staff in enclosed spaces, such as during one-to-one tutoring or advice sessions, including at the Student Services Centre. Exceptions can be made at the discretion of staff, and where agreed by the student.

Mask wearing is also strongly recommended in all other settings within LSE buildings, as one of the most effective ways to protect both you and those around you. This is especially relevant in confined and high-traffic spaces.

If you have been officially exempted by LSE from wearing a mask, staff and students can apply for a sticker to help identify this.

Testing

Government advice for the term ahead is that students and staff get tested twice a week for COVID-19, even if they are double vaccinated

Staff, students and visitors will need proof of a negative test within the last four days. Any self-administered test must be reported via the National Health Service (NHS) website and confirmed via email or text message.

This will have to be shown in the following circumstances:

• When students enrol in-person on campus
• To check-in to your LSE residence on arrival
• To enter campus buildings - check points are subject to change on a regular basis
• For events, we reserve the right to ask for a more recent negative test than in the last four days. Students and staff will be notified in advance if a stricter rule applies.

All students and staff should be tested within the last four days when coming to campus even if they are double vaccinated. You can get free self-test kits from many locations across London, or from the reception desk in the Old Building (OLD).

From LSE’s testing centre (now located in Connaught House) you can also continue to access PCR testing, and travel-related testing for days 2, 5 (test-to-release from quarantining) and 8. Visit the testing webpage to book and leave plenty of time to get your test.

Checks will take place on randomly chosen individuals at the LSE Library and at pop-up points across LSE’s campus. If you don’t have a negative result, you will be asked to get tested before you can enter the building and access facilities.

All students living in LSE halls of residence should get tested twice a week. Random checks will also be carried out in all halls of residence.

Regular testing will help reduce risk to our LSE community whilst ensuring that Welcome, teaching, learning and School activities can take place on campus and in halls. Thank you for your cooperation in advance.

Vaccinations and self-isolation

We anticipate around 83% of students will be vaccinated from COVID-19 by their arrival, and throughout the term we will be offering many opportunities for members of our community, both students and staff, to get vaccinated for free. This is particularly relevant if you not been vaccinated already with vaccines recognised in the UK, or if you have received one or more doses of vaccines not currently recognised in the UK.

These include:

• On campus vaccine clinics with the St Philips Medical Centre. 
• Through the NHS vaccination programme using a local provider or walk-in clinic
• We also provided free flu vaccinations for students and staff throughout October.

Once fully vaccinated in the UK, you will be eligible for a COVID pass, which can be used to access concerts, night clubs and other venues

Students in higher education in England who are identified as a close contact of someone who has tested positive for COVID and have not been vaccinated in the UK will currently need to isolate for 10 days from your last contact with the individual, however, those vaccinated in the UK would not need to self-isolate. We are actively lobbying the UK government to extend the same rule to those vaccinated in other places. Our LSE Trace team can provide support and guidance if you are unsure what you should do.

If you're ill or feeling unwell, even if you're not experiencing COVID symptoms, all staff and students should stay at home and not come to campus until better.

Other COVID-secure measures

We will continue with all previous enhanced ventilation measures including increasing fan speeds, fan running times and 24/7 operation, to provide increased ventilation rates. LSE Estates are installing CO2 monitors to all teaching spaces that currently do not have them, as an additional monitoring measure.

Ventilation rates in all classrooms are currently being tested to check they are running in line with the latest relevant guidance below, which has been published by the HSE (Health and Safety Executive), CIBSE (Chartered Institute of Building Services Engineers) and USHA (Universities Safety and Health Association) in the last few months:

• HSE: Ventilation and air conditioning during the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic
• CIBSE: COVID-19 Ventilation (version 5)
• USHA: Ventilation as a control measure in managing the spread of COVID-19 (login required).

We will continue with thorough cleaning regimes as well as providing wipes and regular hand sanitising points

Ongoing monitoring of the local situation and LSE case rates through LSE Trace will continue, as well as the weekly wellness check-in. Anyone who tests positive or experiences COVID-19 symptoms should self-isolate and not come onto campus.

We have continued to monitor the current situation and review any COVID-secure measures to keep our community safe, well and supported.

After ongoing consideration including a review of feedback from Campus Trade Unions and the Return to Campus Working Group, all current measures will remain in place until 19 September 2021.

This means we will retain our precautions on campus, including:

- Staff, students and visitors will need to provide a valid negative test from the last 4 days to access all School buildings on campus. This includes individuals who have been double vaccinated.

- Mask wearing will still be required in lifts, for students in teaching rooms and other teaching settings, and is strongly encouraged in all other areas within LSE buildings, especially in confined and high-traffic spaces, unless you are exempt. Please remain mindful of colleagues’ comfort levels to do with social distance and mask wearing within shared spaces. For information about local requirements on wearing masks, please contact your office manager or line manager.

- If you’re participating in any Summer School or executive programmes, masks (unless exempt) are required in the classroom for teaching and learning activities

- All fresh-air ventilation will continue alongside other measures to maintain a low-risk environment. If windows in your area don't open, fresh air is still being brought in and pushed back out for your safety.

- The Testing Centre will continue to provide PCR and rapid tests, and testing for travel. You are, however, encouraged to use a home test kit, where feasible, before accessing a test on campus.

- We strongly encourage all members of our community to get fully vaccinated, if you are not already. In addition, we are working on plans to offer on-campus vaccinations for COVID-19 through the St Phillips Medical Centre and the flu vaccination through HR. More information on this will be shared in due course.

- Ongoing monitoring of the local situation and LSE case rates through LSE Trace will continue, as well as the weekly wellness check-in. Anyone who tests positive or experiences COVID-19 symptoms should not come onto campus.

While England’s restrictions are lifting, we still have a duty to keep LSE COVID-secure, especially as case rates continue to rise within our London boroughs of Camden, Southwark and Westminster. 

With this in mind, we may need to introduce further COVID-secure measures more widely at LSE in the future, to help limit community spread. This is in line with guidance from the government and Public Health England who have asked us to continue to exercise caution after restrictions end.