What to do in self-isolation
Please note that this guidance is applicable if self-isolating for any reason (e.g. including if you have tested positive for COVID-19, if you are symptomatic, or if you are self-isolating due to a government requirement).
Practical Guidance For Those Self Isolating
- Use a separate bathroom from others if possible, ideally your en-suite bathroom if available
- In the case of a shared bathroom, draw up a rota for washing or bathing, with the self-isolating person using the bathroom last. Thoroughly clean the bathroom when you have finished and ensure you use separate towels from others.
- If you share a kitchen with others, if possible avoid using it when other people are present and limit the time you use the space
- Take your meals back to your room to eat and clean and dry your used crockery and cutlery. Wash them by hand using detergent and warm water and dry them thoroughly, using a separate towel.
- Do not share household items with other housemates
- You should remain 2 metres or more away from other people or only be closer than 2 metres for periods of no longer than 15 minutes
- We advise that you wear face coverings when you are not in your student bedroom
- Regularly wash your hands with soap and warm water for at least 20 seconds
- Do not have visitors or leave your accommodation (ask deliveries to be left outside the door)
How we are supporting students who are self-isolating
To make sure we are supporting students in the best way possible, we will contact all students who are self-isolating to check on their welfare and offer practical and emotional support. We will also make sure that you know how to access our mental health and wellbeing services while isolating. For students staying in University accommodation, we will also:
- Complete regular wellbeing checks with you if you are symptomatic or have tested positive to find out how you are feeling and offer support and information
- Offer advice on accessing shopping, medication and food deliveries
- Make sure that you and your flatmates know what to do if you become symptomatic, or very unwell
- Offer a range of online Residence Life activities to support engagement and community building
- Daily peer to peer support Drop-in sessions (online or in-person if not self-isolating) if you need assistance or signposting to support services
We are in regular contact with Sheffield City Council, Public Health England and other partners to make sure that we are sharing information about the local situation and responding to the latest guidance. Students and parents can contact covidstudentsupport@sheffield.ac.uk
Should the fire alarm in your accommodation sound while you are self-isolating, you are required to vacate the property immediately as per the fire evacuation information in your accommodation and assemble at the Fire Assembly Point. Ideally, you should wear a face covering. When at the Fire Assembly Point, please stand away from the other people that are assembled and continue to wear your face covering.
We would advise that you do not use the launderettes on-site while in self-isolation and carry out washing of small items within your room.
All waste, including used tissues, and masks if used, should be put in a plastic rubbish bag and tied when full. The plastic bag should then be placed in a second bin bag and tied. The plastic waste bag should then be disposed of outside in the external bins but while carefully following social distancing measures and wearing a face covering. Do not dispose of your rubbish in the kitchen bins until the end of the self-isolating period.
Interaction With Staff Members
Please do not visit any events and activities or visit Customer Services Receptions in person. Please use any of the contact methods advised below instead of interacting with staff in person. If staff visit your accommodation for any reason please notify them immediately that you are self-isolating before opening the door and keep a distance of at least 2 metres at all times should they have to enter your accommodation.
Please continue to report maintenance requests, however, depending on the request, please note that it may not be feasible or practical for the maintenance to take place and therefore jobs will be prioritised and will only be rectified if there is a risk to Health and Safety. Any outstanding jobs will be undertaken once you have completed your self-isolation.
Food, Drink and Essential Items
You will need to make your own arrangements for the delivery of these items whilst in self-isolation. The delivery instructions need to state that the items are to be left outside your flat / building or as appropriate for your accommodation. You will need to collect these items from the delivery point and would ask that you wear face coverings while doing so, as well as washing your hands thoroughly both before and after collection
If you need to get your food or supplies delivered as quick as possible, we’ve got a few options around the city that you can pay for online using a debit/credit card and sometimes even PayPal:
- Local supermarkets do online grocery deliveries
- Amazon Prime users can order items for next day delivery and also take advantage of Amazon Fresh and Amazon Prime Now App.
- Uber Eats
- Deliveroo
- Just Eat
- The Village Store
- If you look at local restaurants and cafes, a lot of local businesses are offering delivery all around the city
If there is a need for packages to be delivered, please have consideration for the delivery service personnel and take advice from the delivery company. You should not interact with them in person and only essential parcels should be ordered for delivery during this period.
In Endcliffe and Ranmoor, if you are ordering essential items, please ensure accurate details are given for a contact-free delivery (socially distanced and wearing a face covering). You must not collect items from the reception desk at The Edge or arrange for these to be delivered to staff members in your accommodation. If you need to contact The Edge, do so on 0114 222 8800 or via email at customerservices@sheffield.ac.uk.
In Allen Court, if you are ordering essential items, please ensure accurate details are given for a contact-free delivery (socially distanced and wearing a face covering) to the external courtyard gates. You must not collect items from the reception desk or arrange for these to be delivered to staff members in your accommodation. If you need Allen Court staff to assist with essential medication, please contact 0114 275 5036 or via email at allencourt@iq.com to enquire.
In St Vincent’s Place, if you are ordering essential items please ensure accurate details are given for a contact-free delivery, this should include the street address, the building name, and your block, flat and room number. You can meet the courier at the external courtyard gates (socially distanced and wearing a face covering). You must not collect items from the reception desk or arrange for these to be delivered to staff members in your accommodation. If you need St Vincent’s Place staff to assist with essential medication, please contact 0117 302 7160 or via email at sheffield@unitestudents.com to enquire.
Concerns Raised by Students in the Flat
We advise that you proactively inform other residents that you are self-isolating. In order to minimise the risk to others, we will need to inform other residents if you are self-isolating as a result of showing symptoms of COVID-19. We advise that as long as the advice above is followed you can self-isolate while living in your current accommodation.
We strongly encourage all our students to register with the University of Sheffield Health Service. More information is available here: https://www.sheffield.ac.uk/ssid/health-service. The ShefUniHealth App will assist you in making the best choices for seeking help when you are unwell, and accessing services (including pharmacies). More information about the app is available here: https://www.sheffield.ac.uk/ssid/health-service/about/shefunihealthapp.
NHS Volunteer Responders (https://nhsvolunteerresponders.org.uk/) has been set up to assist people who are self-isolating for any reason with a variety of resources available.
Looking After your Mental Health
If you are feeling anxious, depressed or are having trouble sleeping, the University has a range of self-help resources available. Information sheets and links to other self-help resources are available at:
https://www.sheffield.ac.uk/ssid/counselling/self
Samaritans
If you need someone to talk to or require information to help find other relevant support services outside of the times that the main services are open, you could contact the Samaritans who offer emotional support 24 hours a day. You can call them on 116 123, or email them on jo@samaritans.org.
We have colleagues who will make regular calls to those self-isolating because they have tested positive for COVID-19 or are symptomatic (based on the information provided to us by the University Google Form that we ask you to fill in). Our friendly team will call to see if you’re feeling ok and to advise on any further support you may need during self-isolation; we are there to assist you or just have a chat. These calls are in addition to calls from your assigned Residence Life Mentor. Do get in touch via residentsupport@sheffield.ac.uk if you have any questions.