Coronavirus information
Coronavirus updates
St John's College is closely monitoring the ongoing coronavirus Covid-19 pandemic. As the situation continues to change rapidly, our top priority remains the health, safety, and wellbeing of our entire community, in and outside of Cambridge.
Playing fields update
Anybody who wishes to use the hard courts are asked to please book in advance. Time slots are for 90 minutes and can be booked by emailing k.p.ellis@joh.cam.ac.uk or phoning 07704537496. Please note that 24 hours’ notice is required.
Further information on the use of hard courts and court availability
Covid-19 testing update
The University offers swab tests to College and University staff and students displaying symptoms of Covid-19. If you have symptoms, tests should now be booked online via the web portal, not via the Addenbrooke’s Hospital Occupational Health phone line.
Further information
Weekly asymptomatic testing programme for students
From the start of Michaelmas Term, all undergraduate and postgraduate students at the University of Cambridge living in College accommodation will be offered a weekly test for infection with SARS-CoV-2, the virus which causes Covid-19, even if they show no symptoms. Further information.
Guidelines to organising student events, meetings and activities in College
New guidelines are available for students who wish to organise events or other activities in College.
Chapel
Services in Chapel have now resumed for current members of the College and staff. Futher information
Test and Trace
St John’s College has a dedicated Test and Trace system in place to ensure that households and the contacts of those who test positive for Covid-19 or are symptomatic swiftly receive the appropriate advice and support.
College Bar
The Bar is now open daily from 6pm -10pm. Last orders will be at 9.30pm. Advance booking is required and can be booked in College households of up to six. Mixed households can book as a table of two and maintain social distancing. All visitors to the Bar must be current members of St John's. Further information
Visitor Policy
Read the comprehensive new Visitor Policy
Playing Fields and Fitness Centre
The Fitness Centre is now open daily from 6am until 10pm. It has been necessary to make some changes to the normal operation to manage social distancing and effective infection control. Further information
There is a new Health & Safety Guide to using the Playing Fields.
Music
Music practice rooms are now available to book. Further information.
View the weekly College Bulletins for the latest updates at St John’s.
Covid-19 Student Guidelines
The Covid-19 Student Guidelines should be referred to regularly by undergraduates and postgraduates for the latest rules and guidance for life at St John’s College during the pandemic.
They are intended to be used in parallel with The Student Handbook which is an important and comprehensive source of information for our student community. The rules in the Student Handbook may sometimes depart from the Covid-19 Student Guidelines in various ways throughout the year, sometimes for short periods of time and sometimes at short notice.
Anyone who is in any doubt about the rules and principles that govern College life during the 2020/21 academic year should contact their Tutor, Student Services, the Lead Clinical Nurse or the Porters.
Self-isolation and quarantine
You must self isolate for 10 days if you develop a new continuous cough and or a fever (greater than 37.8C). and you must complete our online form. We will then provide specific advice for your individual circumstance. Please also consult the Government advice.
If you have symptoms you should immediately:
- stay indoors and avoid contact with other people as you would with the flu. Read our key information for isolation or quarantine due to Covid-19. if you are affected and live on-site as much of the advice is applicable to all residents of St John’s.
- Do not visit the Health & Wellbeing Centre in person, contact the Lead Clinical Nurse via the reporting form below.
Complete all of the applicable sections of the relevant reporting form below with as much information as possible.
Please note, information may be shared if it is felt appropriate but it will be handled sensitively and proportionately. We are collecting this data to track the coronavirus risk to the College members and we will keep the data for 12 months or until it is no longer needed.
International students
In common with other Colleges, St John’s is closely following the guidelines relating to Covid-19 set out by the University of Cambridge.
View the St John’s College arrangements for quarantine in College accommodation
View the latest University-wide advice, including the new Stay Safe Cambridge Uni campaign section.
Food and care for quarantining students
In the event of international students having to observe a two-week government-mandated quarantine period upon arrival to the UK, the College is committed to ensuring all quarantining students are provided for, and will look to ensure all students have an individual isolation supporter to collect food/groceries on their behalf.
The College will provide meals and access to basic groceries from a ‘shop’ style set up in College which will be available via click and collect. This will also provide basic toiletries/washing powder etc. Students would be charged as per normal for these facilities via Upay.
A network of individuals nominating self-isolation supporters is being planned in liaison with the SBR/JCR to build on their existing buddy system/College parents respectively for Freshers.
Key information for students supporting those in self isolation/quarantine
Student guide on ordering food and provisions whilst in self-isolation
Covid-19 symptom reporting form
The College Covid-19 Symptom Reporting Form below is for students, Fellows and staff to notify the Lead Clinical Nurse, the Senior Tutor, and the duty Porters that you have:
- returned from a coronavirus affected area and would like to notify the College
- symptoms of coronavirus (a high temperature or a new, continuous cough)
- been in contact with someone who has coronavirus symptoms or is suspected to have coronavirus
- You are in a high-risk group and have decided to self-isolate on medical grounds
Covid-19 Symptom Reporting Form - Students and Residential Fellows
Covid-19 Symptom Reporting Form - Non-Residential Fellows and Academic Affiliates
Test and Trace
St John’s College has a dedicated Test and Trace system in place to ensure that households and the contacts of those who test positive for Covid-19 or are symptomatic swiftly receive the appropriate advice and support.
Anyone using the College Bar or Hall will be asked to scan our QR code on entry which will take them to our Test and Trace form so we can act quickly if a case is identified and stop the spread of Covid-19.
NHS advice for those sharing a household with someone who has Covid-19 symptoms or has tested positive for Covid-19 is simple: self-isolate and follow the guidance. If you are a contact of someone who has contracted Covid-19, you only need to self-isolate if you have been informed by NHS Test & Trace to do so. A ‘contact’ is a person who has been close to someone who has tested positive for Covid-19 anytime from two days before the person was symptomatic up to 10 days from onset of symptoms. However, because the College community is one in which infection can travel swiftly we have implemented our own contact tracing within the College which complements the NHS system but will allow St John’s to act very quickly if a case is identified.
Asymptomatic testing
From the start of Michaelmas Term, all undergraduate and postgraduate students at the University of Cambridge living in College accommodation will be offered a weekly test for infection with SARS-CoV-2, the virus which causes Covid-19, even if they show no symptoms.
This testing programme is the best chance the University has of keeping Cambridge as open as possible as we all navigate the Michaelmas Term – it is vitally important that as many of you as possible take part.
Students at St John’s will be tested on Tuesdays and should receive the results by the following morning.
The test will be self administered, using a swab to take a sample from the nose and throat. Because a limited number of tests are available, samples from several students will be tested together in pools by household.
All students in College accommodation have now all be contacted and told which household you are in and informed of the randomly selected pooling lead who is responsible for collecting the testing kit from their pigeon hole from 6pm on Sunday, facilitating the completion of the tests by the pool, and then returning the completed tests to the Great Gate Porters’ Lodge by 10:30am on Tuesday.
For those wishing to participate in the testing programme you must, if you haven’t already, complete the consent form provided by the University.
You should have already received this and further information directly and more detail is available on the University's website.
Anyone who has any questions specific to the testing process at St John’s should email: asymptomatictesting@joh.cam.ac.uk
A comprehensive Q&A guide to the University's testing programme
University guidance
The University of Cambridge and Colleges are cooperating closely with Public Health England’s Health Protection Team in Cambridge. The collegiate University has well developed protocols to prepare for and, if necessary, deal with communicable diseases. St John’s, like all Colleges, has made the necessary preparations to protect our community.
Read the University's Community Statement
Read the latest guidance and statements from the University of Cambridge
Read the latest Government guidance
Government guidance for self isolation when arriving in the UK from a designated country
Face coverings
Face coverings policy
Face coverings should be worn in all parts of the College, whether inside College buildings or moving around the College site. This applies to all members of St John’s College and to visitors to the College unless you have an exemption. This requirement is in line with University policy.
There are circumstances where face coverings do not need to be worn and more details are below. However, if you are in doubt – wear a face covering until you have confirmed that one isn’t required.
Every member of St John’s has been/will be provided with two free washable cotton face coverings and we encourage the use of this kind of mask or disposable surgical masks rather than knitted materials/scarves/bandanas which may not be as effective. The free face coverings will be placed in student rooms ready for the start of term.
Face coverings are not a substitute for social distancing or other measures to mitigate Covid-19, such as being tested when displaying symptoms, self-isolating when unwell or advised to, enhanced cleaning regimes, and regular hand-washing. These primary mitigation measures should always be followed in addition to wearing a face covering when required.
There is increasing evidence that wearing face coverings can reduce transmission of coronavirus from an infected person to others. The wearing of face coverings is to be considered a social responsibility for those members of the College who can wear them, with the aim of providing increased reassurance to all members, including those most vulnerable to serious illness.
Exemptions for individuals and exceptions for particular settings are set out below. The policy will be kept under regular review by the College’s Covid Silver group.
Visitor policy
During the Covid-19 pandemic the College remains closed to members of the public, College and University alumni and all those who do not have specific business here.
The policy focuses on members of the College community and on visitors. ‘Members of the College community’ in this policy means: current Fellows; current staff including College Teaching Associates; current students, including those resident in College hostels or furnished lets; and widows and widowers of former Fellows.
Anyone not falling within this definition, such as alumni, former Fellows, former staff, the family and friends of Fellows, residents or staff, is considered a visitor for the purpose of this policy. Any visitor with specific business in the College are asked to check in on arrival at the Porters’ Lodge.
The College will do everything that is reasonable and proportionate to keep people safe. We require members of the College community and any permitted visitors to comply with government policy to reduce the transmission of Covid-19.
Food and drink
Order Ahead and Takeaway food from the BDR and using the College Bar
The Buttery Dining Room (BDR) serves a hot meal for students, staff and Fellows and opens for lunch from 11.30am to 12.30pm for staff and Fellows only, and then 12.30pm to 3pm for students, staff and Fellows – a booking system via Upay is in place for food collection after 12.30pm, so a Upay account will need to be created in order to book a slot. Full guidance is available on the Buttery page.
The BDR is also open between 5.30pm and 6pm for staff/Fellows (no booking required) and from 6pm-8.30pm for everyone, during which times it will be necessary to book a collection slot. These are both for takeaway meals only. Entry to the BDR is from K staircase 2nd Court and the exit is via the BDR Patio.
The Hall will be available to sit down to eat in once you have your takeaway food from the Buttery Dining Room. You will need to scan a test and trace QR code to go into the Hall.The staff inside the Hall will direct you where to sit; please follow their instructions. These areas will be cleaned before anyone else can sit in that seat/ area.
The College Bar will operate as a grocery shop and will be open from 10am to 6pm, it is possible to use the Order Ahead system via Upay to buy groceries or you can pop in during opening hours. It is also possible to use Order Ahead for a cold lunch and dinner and collect from the College Bar during these times. The entrance is via K staircase.
Face coverings must be worn at all times whilst in the BDR when collecting food and in the College Bar until you have be shown to your table.
There are two sanitising stations outside the Buttery Dining Room as you make your way in, and it is recommended that all members of the College use them before entering the Buttery Dining Room. There are also sanitiser stations set up in the College Bar and Hall.
The College Bar is open from 6pm -10pm (last orders 9.30pm). Advance booking is required and can be booked in College households of up to six, or mixed households can book as a table of two and maintain social distancing. All visitors to the Bar must be current members of St John's. See Bar Floor plan for information.
Time slots are available in blocks of one or two hours and these can be booked by emailing the Bar Manager Jason Barker at j.barker@joh.cam.ac.uk. A copy of the Bar Floor plan and the Bar service/payment procedure can be found outside the College Bar.
See the Buttery page for full information and to learn how to open a Upay account.
Health and wellbeing
Health & Wellbeing Centre
The Nursing Team would like to welcome returners and freshers to St John's and are pleased to be providing ongoing support to students who are both in Cambridge or away-via email, telephone or video consultations.
Remote appointments are bookable via Moodle, with priority to freshers in the first few weeks of term.
Emma Manuel, Lead Clinical Nurse / Head of Health can be contacted via E.Manuel@joh.cam.ac.uk
Karen Miles, Health & Wellbeing Nurse can be contacted via K.Miles@joh.cam.ac.uk
Health&WellbeingCentre@joh.cam.ac.uk can be used to reach either Nurse.
Please note that a response will be given in order of priority so please state the nature of your enquiry and mark your email has high priority if you require an urgent response. Further information regarding Health & Wellbeing is available on this site using the above drop down options.
Mental health crisis support services
Counselling support
Our College Counsellor, Susie Renshaw, is currently offering appointments via phone or video call on Mondays, Wednesdays and Thursdays. Appointments usually last between 30-50 minutes.
To find out more or to book in an appointment please email Susie at: s.renshaw@joh.cam.ac.uk or call 07593 139172.
At the time of your appointment, please ensure you are in a confidential, quiet space to take the call. A room in College is available to book for your appointment, if needed.
Pastoral support
The College Chapel is open for private prayer and reflection from 9am until Evensong every day for resident members of College and staff. For the purposes of the College’s Covid-19 guidelines, current members of the College are considered to be current Fellows; current staff including College Teaching Associates; current students, including those resident in College hostels or furnished lets; and widows and widowers of former Fellows. Anyone not falling within this definition, such as alumni, former Fellows, former staff, the family and friends of Fellows, residents or staff, is considered a visitor for the purposes of the current guidelines. The rules around who can access Chapel services will be regularly reviewed.
Entry and exit is via the Chapel Court doors.
The Rev'd Andrew Hammond, can be contacted at ach71@cam.ac.uk and on 07917 535940. Canon Mark Oakley, the Dean of Chapel, can be contacted on M.Oakley@joh.cam.ac.uk
Online teaching & learning
The following resources have been gathered to help academics navigate the challenges of the 2020/21 academic year, and to assist those who are working with digital collaborative tools such as Zoom and Teams.