Home > COVID-19 Isolation and Testing – staff

COVID-19 Isolation and Testing – staff

Symptom-free testing

All staff working onsite are encouraged to take tests twice a week, every week, while they are in Oxford. Staff are able to pick up boxes of seven Lateral Flow Device (LFD) tests from the Lodge, or order a box via the Government website.

Who should participate?

Testing is voluntary but we strongly encourage everyone who is working on site to get tested twice a week, every week, including those staff who have been vaccinated or have had COVID-19 more than 90 days ago.

Who should not participate?

  • You have symptoms of COVID-19: You should instead book a PCR test via the University’s Early Alert Service and follow the advice you are given when you receive your result (if you develop symptoms between LFD tests, you must stop taking the LFDs and have a PCR test instead). Please note, the Early Alert Service will will close at the end of Friday 30 July and reopen on Wednesday 1 September.
  • You have been asked to self-isolate by a public health official.
  • You have had a positive PCR test result in the last 90 days.

How to get a test

Staff can collect a box of LFD tests from The Lodge. You may also choose to order tests from the Government (for example, if you are not in Oxford, or you have irregular work patterns) where it minimises travel or is more convenient.

What to do if you test positive

  • Anyone who tests positive in any LFD tests (including those via community testing or received from the Government via another route), must immediately self-isolate and book a confirmatory PCR test, preferably through the University’s Early Alert Service. You (and your household) should immediately self-isolate and assume you have the virus, pending the result of the confirmatory PCR test. Please note, the Early Alert Service will will close at the end of Friday 30 July and reopen on Wednesday 1 September.
  • If you receive a PCR test result, positive or negative, through a route other than the University Early Alert service (e.g. via the national NHS service), you must report your result by using the Report a Test Button on the University’s testing webpage.
  • You will receive further advice from the NHS and the University Results Liaison Team (RLT).
  • If you receive your positive result notification at work you should only use public transport to return home if you have no other option. You should strictly follow the safer travel guidance for passengers. Refer to the Safer travel national guidance.
  • Because the tests do not pick up every case, you may still be infectious even if you receive a negative result, so it is essential that you continue to follow all COVID precautions.

LFD tests are an additional tool in helping to limit the spread of COVID-19. They can detect whether you have COVID-19 before you develop symptoms. Staff taking the tests will help to reduce any potential spread of COVID-19 across the University and community. Further information.

Symptoms and self-isolation

Updated and detailed guidance about self-isolation and shared spaces is available from Public Health England on the government website.

If you have symptoms of COVID-19 – a recent onset of any of the following – a new continuous cough, a high temperature, a loss of, or change in, your normal sense of taste or smell however mild, the advice is to self-isolate at home immediately for the updated duration of at least 10 days from when your symptoms started.

Do not go to a GP surgery, pharmacy or hospital. You should arrange to have a test to see if you have COVID-19 by requesting a test from the NHS or by through the University’s in-house testing service (see more below).

Fellows, Research Associates and Common Room Members

If you have visited the college recently, please notify us should you be required to self-isolate or if you test positive for COVID-19. Our single point of contact is Teresa Strike at teresa.strike@gtc.ox.ac.uk (cc to Gillian Cane at pa@gtc.ox.ac.uk). This notification is only necessary if you have been on college premises within the relevant period of time. Students and Staff should continue to follow the protocols here.

COVID-19 Testing Early Alert Service

The University’s in-house COVID-19 testing service is now open to all staff of the University and colleges, providing rapid access to free testing if they think they have coronavirus symptoms (minor or major). The central testing site in the city centre is the first to open, and is located in the Radcliffe Observatory Quarter (ROQ). A second testing site at the Old Road campus in Headington is scheduled to open in September when students begin returning to Oxford for the new academic year. Please note, the Early Alert Service will will close at the end of Friday 30 July and reopen on Wednesday 1 September.

The Early Alert Service: testing for COVID-19 (EAS) is a free, customized service for students and staff of the University that  benefit the local community by reducing the risk of a further COVID-19 outbreak and reducing the pressure on NHS testing facilities. The EAS will offer a test if you do not have the main symptoms of COVID-19 but have other symptoms which may be similar to or confused with those of COVID-19. If your symptoms are assessed by the EAS to fall outside of the main COVID-19 symptoms then other members of your household will not need to self-isolate unless you subsequently test positive. The service is aligned with NHS and PHE guidelines and uses proven technologies and standard NHS procedures.