THE UK GOVERMENT ANNOUNCED THAT MANDATORY COVID-19 TESTING WILL BE REQUIRED FOR THOSE ENTERING THE UK.
All international arrivals to England, including UK nationals, required to present a negative COVID-19 test taken up to 72 hours prior to departure.
The UK Border Force will be conducting spot checks on arrival into England to ensure that passengers are fully compliant. Passengers will be subject to an immediate fine of £500 if they fail to comply with these new regulations.
*All passengers arriving from countries not on the government's travel corridor list will still be required to self-isolate for 10 days, regardless of test result.*
All passengers will also still be required to fill in a passenger locator form and be subject to national lockdown restrictions.
Find out more here about the government's mandatory COVID-19 testing for international arrivals to England.
We understand that many of our international students are concerned about possible quarantine restrictions once they arrive in the UK. For information on which countries on the government list will require you to quarantine (self-isolate) for 14 days when you arrive in the UK and which ones are exempt please read the latest government guidance.
If you have booked a place in halls accommodation and are travelling from a country that requires you to quarantine, you'll need to travel immediately to your allocated room and follow the government guidance.
If you are required to self-isolate:
- Book a subsidised pick-up service with our authorised taxi company from Heathrow Airport, Gatwick Airport or St. Pancras International train station.
- You will be taken to your accommodation and given your room key.
- You should immediately go to your allocated room.
- There will be a Welcome Information Pack available in your room on arrival with further details about how we will support you during quarantine (including our laundry service, ordering food and other services and support).
- Please contact your Faculty Student Office upon arrival (contact details can be found in the Welcome Information Pack).
- You should not have any visitors, including family and friends.
- You should not leave your accommodation for a period of 14 days (staff in Halls will be able to assist with the purchase of necessities and will support you).
- If you have to collect your Biometrics Residence Permit (BRP) from the Post Office, you can collect it after 14 days. The Post Office will keep it for you.
- If you are a national required to register with the Police, please read the updated information on My Kingston.
Find out more about how to self-isolate when you arrive in the UK.
Support for you during quarantine
To ensure your arrival goes smoothly and that you settle into your accommodation as quickly and as comfortably as possible, we will furnish your room with a Bedding and Basic Toiletries Pack, which will include a range of essentials, including duvets and sheets and shower gel.
International students moving into halls accommodation will have received an email outlining the details of this support package. Please note there is a £30 charge for the Bedding and Basic Toiletries Pack which will be automatically added to your student account unless you opt out of this service, which you can do by completing the form within the email.
For more information about the Bedding and Basic Toiletries Pack, contact concierge@kingston.ac.uk.
You will also find a Snack Pack in your room and you'll be able order further food items from the catering team or from nearby shops and eateries.
If you are moving into private accommodation, you will need to follow the government guidelines on what to do when arriving in the UK and the requirements around quarantine if you need to self-isolate.
