COVID-19 in INTROweek

INTROweek 2021 has to be one of the most highly anticipated welcome weeks we’ve ever had after 2020…. 
LUSUMA have everything crossed that we can go ahead as normal, but if not we have several back up plans to make sure your first week at medical school is amazing!
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To keep you safe, we would encourage you to get vaccinated (both for meningitis and COVID) before you arrive in Leicester. According to current Government guidelines* if you are doubly vaccinated by INTROweek and come into contact with a positive COVID case, you will not have to isolate unless you test positive yourself. Having the vaccine not only comes with this advantage but also means you’re less likely to become a positive case. Finally, current plans suggest you will need to be doubly vaccinated to access nightclubs by the end of September. LUSUMA have no control over this, therefore please get a vaccine so you don’t miss out on all the venue’s Leicester has to offer! ​

​However, we do appreciate that not all of you may have had the chance to be doubly vaccinated before you arrive in Leicester, therefore to be as fair as possible, LUSUMA will only require negative lateral flow tests to participate in INTROweek. This is highlighted in the terms and conditions for buying an INTROweek wristband:
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‘By purchasing a LUSUMA INTROweek wristband, you agree to abide by LUSUMA’s COVID regulations.'

​You will be required to order your own Lateral Flow Tests before arriving at university and bring these with you. You will need to take a test on Sunday, Tuesday and Friday of INTROweek before attending the evening event. You will then have to report this result to the NHS and show your confirmation email to a member of the LUSUMA committee upon arrival at the event. A positive result and any isolation of contacts will be treated in line with government guidelines. 
 
If you are later found to have falsely reported a negative result, you will be unable to attend any LUSUMA event for the foreseeable future. The medical school is fully aware of our testing policy and is supportive of it.

If you’re joining us for the international and graduate student welcome on 17th, please make sure you also take a lateral flow test on the Thursday evening as committee will be checking your results then too.

Please order your tests from https://www.gov.uk/order-coronavirus-rapid-lateral-flow-tests (and don’t forget to pack them!!!)
You will also be required to wear a facemask when travelling on LUSUMA buses. ​

​We hope you understand why we have to be so tough on this! If you have any questions drop anyone on committee an email. 

Feeling worried about COVID and mixing with new people? 
It is completely understandable to feel apprehensive about mixing with so many new people and coming to university even in ‘normal’ times, but LUSUMA understand the pandemic might make these feelings more prominent. We want to be as inclusive as possible so please don’t think you can’t participate in INTROweek if this is you!

Introducing the smiley stickers!
Throughout INTROweek, you will be able to pick up one of these charming fellows to wear if you would appreciate a little bit of extra space, like the ‘1m plus rule’. If you see a student wearing one of these, it does not mean they don’t want to speak to anyone and probably want to be as involved as even the most social butterfly, but they would like a degree of social distancing.
​Please be respectful of this! If you’d like to get your hands on one of these, track down a member of committee and we’ll be happy to help!
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