Latest Coronavirus Information and Advice

SERC remains open for business, with classes being taught on campus and online. Preparation for examinations and practical assessments will take place on campus. Students are asked to contact their tutors with any queries.

The College will continue to monitor closely the evolving challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic and will keep under review the relevant government guidance.  SERC is committed to the health and safety of our students and staff and ask everyone who has reason to visit a campus to please comply with the safety measures in place.

For the latest information regarding COVID updates and restrictions, click here. 

Further relaxation of test and trace has been announced by the Minister of Health, Robin Swann:

The Department for the Economy (DfE) has advised that Lateral Flow Testing in FE Colleges will cease from 22 April 2022.  It is therefore recommended that staff and students needing LFTs should collect these this week before the Easter break. However, testing for those with no symptoms will continue to be advised for those living, working and visiting health and social care settings including hospitals and care homes and other high risk settings in line with public health advice. This will be kept under review. If you are in in need of symptomatic testing, you can order rapid LFTs here.

From 22 April, most people with symptoms of COVID-19 will be advised to test using Lateral Flow Tests (LFTs) instead of booking a PCR. If they test positive they will be advised to isolate and use LFTs to release from isolation from day 5/6 as at present. To reflect the relaxation of restrictions, the college is removing the temperature check at the entrance to campuses on Friday 8 April 2022.  The temperature checks will therefore not be in place when students and staff return after the Easter break.

While the PHA recommend the wearing of masks in offices and classrooms, particularly where social distancing of 2 metres is not possible, there is no mandatory requirement to do so. The wearing of face masks is a personal choice. Staff should continue to refer students who test positive through the Cause for Concern system and staff should continue to report a positive test to their line manager.

To summarise: 

• The temperature checking by the College will end on Friday 8 April 2022.
• The issue of free LFT kits by the College will cease on 22 April 2022 and therefore LFTs will not be available after the Easter break.
• From 22 April, you do not need to test if you have no symptoms.
• If you have symptoms most people will be advised to take a LFT instead of a PCR test.
• Only those living, working and visiting health and social care settings will continue routine asymptomatic testing.
• Reporting of positive cases to the College to continue.