Last updated: Thursday 9 December 2021. If you are reading after this date, please refer to the pages linked for the most up-to-date information.听
Due to听the听ongoing effects of the听COVID-19 pandemic, planning for听winter听break this year may be more difficult for you听than before.听Therefore, no听matter what you choose to do, we have compiled the most up-to-date information听for travelling and testing, as well as the services we have available during the break听if you are听staying with us.听听
will continue to be听available 24/7听over the winter break 鈥撎齱hether听you are听in听Southampton听or not.听This includes one-to-one wellbeing chats, which can be in person or via Microsoft Teams.听Visit The Student Hub website for more information about the support available to you.听
Opening Times
If you are in Southampton听or Winchester听during this time, please rest assured that听our听facilities听will remain open听to you.听Below听is a list of what is available. We advise that you check the webpages linked when you are planning your visit听for听the most up-to-date opening times:听听
- Hartley Library will be open听every day, except for Christmas, Boxing Day, and New Year鈥檚 Day.听The Health Services Library will be open on the same days, with an additional closure day on the 27 December.听.听听
- Except for Christmas Day and Boxing Day,听Jubilee Sports Centre and Mayflower Gym听will stay open every day during the break.听Check the schedule for all our facilities on the website.听听
- 听and听听will also be available for you听at the usual times听throughout this winter break, except for听weekends听and Bank Holidays.听听
Multiple teams across the University are planning events across the break, from quizzes to arts and crafts activities and fitness sessions! Keep checking your inbox for more information on events to get involved with, including celebrations on key dates. 听
COVID-19: Testing, Travel, and Support
If you are travelling during the winter break, here is a breakdown of听what you听are required to do to keep yourself, your听loved ones,听and听our听community safe,听depending on your destination.听Before you听travel,听please make sure you check the latest government guidelines (links below), as well as your university inbox, for听any changes that may occur before your return.听听
Please note that you are now legally required to wear a face covering on public transport.听听
Students are expected to continue taking two saliva tests until the听end of term.听More details about how to register for the scheme and听the testing听programme听winter closure can be found on the SUSSED post published on听8 December.听听
If you are travelling within the UK听during this听period,听please make sure you听take two tests (ideally three days apart)听before leaving. This way you will be reassured before you see your friends and family. Over the winter break please continue to test听twice a week using lateral听flow devices听(LFDs), including immediately before returning to the University. 听
If you are travelling听overseas,听please听check the guidelines for your destination country听in advance, as many countries have听recently听introduced new restrictions. During your听stay,听ensure you听monitor the听听for when you return, and plan accordingly.听Additionally, please听听for any updates, as听.听If your country听is added to听the red list during your stay,听please contact The Student Hub听for support.听听
If you are staying in Southampton听or Winchester听this winter break听and听have to听take a听PCR test听and/or听self-isolate because you听develop symptoms听or听come into close contact with a positive case,听please let us know by filling in the听form on our website. This way we will ensure you are supported throughout听this challenging time.听
Data Centre Closure
Between听Monday听20 December听and听Tuesday 4 January, the University is undertaking some essential electrical testing work at its primary data centre. This will affect some of our online systems and services. .听听
If you live in University-owned accommodation,听听in order to receive relevant communications related to how these works could impact you.听听
For any questions or support please contact听听via听email,听, or by听calling听02380 599 599.听听
