We have enjoyed welcoming groups online and back to York for short courses over recent weeks. We will continue to offer both online and in-York short courses and ask you to please confirm which you would like at least six weeks before your booked course. We understand that an in-York choice may need to be altered within this window if guidelines change, and we will discuss options with you (see more below). Please note that groups or individuals should not travel to York if the home institution advises against travel.

Visiting York (updated 22/02/2022)

At present, ENGLAND is very much open for visitors, and the Government has just announced an end to all legal restrictions starting on 24th February. However, face masks are and will still required in some locations even though there is no legal requirement for them. This means that we are able to offer a number of enhancement activities alongside the high quality teaching to groups who choose to travel to York, including theatre experiences, guided walks and groups visits to York Minster and Jorvik Viking Centre. Unfortunately we are not able to offer school visits at the moment.

If an in-York course needs to be cancelled due to a change in governmental guidelines regarding travel, we can offer to convert this to an online course for the whole group at short notice for the usual online fees (for more details see the fees and invoicing section). This would mean that individual students would only incur the costs of any excursions or extras which we could not otherwise recover, meaning individual students should not be significantly out of pocket. Note that if individuals need to cancel (for whatever reason) different terms and fees would apply. Namely 4-2 weeks prior to the course start: the full costs of any extras booked on their behalf (excursions, experiences, extra nights etc). 2-0 weeks before: half of the fee i.e. 1000NOK per week and the full cost of any extras. However it is hoped that individuals and groups should be able to recover any costs from their travel insurance, if needed.

Covid Testing (updated 22/02/2022)

The legal requirement to self-isolate after a positive test will be lifted from Thursday 24 February. It is still a recommendation that you self-isolate for five days, but it is no longer legally required. (See paragraph 38(a) here: https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/1056202/COVID-19_Response_-_Living_with_COVID-19__1_.pdf)

The University of York has yet to respond fully to this announcement, but it is our understanding that some restrictions will remain at the University to minimise outbreaks/prevent the spread of disease. At the moment we know the following will continue to apply:

* Students who test positive for Covid should not come to Quantum House/The NSC for at least five full days after they have tested positive.

* Students who have symptoms of Covid (temperature, cough, loss of taste/smell) or of Colds or Flu (runny nose, headache, sore throat etc) should not come to Quantum House/The NSC unless they have a negative test result.

* Masks should continue to be worn in Quantum House where possible. Windows and doors will also be kept open for ventilation.

Obviously the new rules will leave much to the individual to decide (whether or not to test/whether or not to isolate if positive), but we recommend following the health advice to test and to isolate if positive.

We will keep our existing plans in place for anyone who tests positive whilst in York i.e. we have rooms if anyone needs to isolate beyond their planned stay (for a charge per person per room per night of £35), we will report positive cases to ensure access to help/support etc. Students must ensure you have appropriate travel insurance prior to travel.

Travel rules (updated 22/02/2022)

As the rules and guidance change frequently you should always check the latest information and abide by that. The latest information is available at: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/travel-to-england-from-another-country-during-coronavirus-covid-19.

Changes to international travel rules from 11 February 2022

You must ensure that comply with the latest rules (which change often). The latest information is available at: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/travel-to-england-from-another-country-during-coronavirus-covid-19

If you arrive in England after 4am, 11 February, the following rules will apply.

Fully vaccinated – from 11 February

If you qualify as fully vaccinated for travel to England, you:

• will not need to take a COVID-19 test before you travel to England or after you arrive

• will not need to quarantine when you arrive

• will need to complete a passenger locator form before you travel to England.

Check if you can follow the rules for people who are fully vaccinated – includes people aged 17 and under.

Not fully vaccinated – from 11 February

If you do not qualify as fully vaccinated for travel to England, you will need to:

• show proof of a negative COVID-19 test – test to be taken in the 2 days before you travel to England

• book and pay for a COVID-19 PCR test – to be taken after you arrive in England

• complete a passenger locator form before you travel to England

You will need to book the PCR test before you travel.

You will not need to quarantine, unless the result of the PCR test is positive.