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Government local alert levels and Higher Education tiers

Find up to date information on Bath's local alert level and a breakdown of the tiers of operation for HE providers.

Covid-19 Local Alert Level graphic
Covid-19 Local Alert Level

Local COVID alert levels

Local COVID alert levels set out information for local authorities, residents and workers about what to do and how to manage the outbreak in their area. Local COVID alert levels are sometimes called ‘tiers’ or known as a ‘local lockdown’.

Bath is currently in Tier 1 (Medium)

This means you must:

  • Only meet people socially in up to groups of six
  • Follow social distancing when you meet
  • Work from home if possible

Visit the gov.uk website for more details on local restrictions and laws.

Higher Education tiers

In September, the Government set out tiers of operation for Higher Education providers.

The University is currently in Tier 1

The tiers are:

  • Tier 1 (default position): HE providers are expected to provide blended learning, with face-to-face tuition, following the provisions of this guidance, and public health guidance, including, for example, the appropriate use of face coverings

  • Tier 2 (fallback position): HE providers should move to an increased level of online learning where possible. Providers should prioritise the continuation of face-to-face provision based on their own risk assessment. We expect that, in the majority of cases, this will be for those courses where it is most beneficial (for example, clinical or practical learning and research)

  • Tier 3 (where stricter measures are needed): HE providers should increase the level of online learning to retain face-to-face provision for priority courses (for example, clinical and medical courses), and in as limited a number of situations as possible. Students should follow government guidance published as part of any additional restrictions applied locally, including where this says that students should remain in their current accommodation and not return their family home or other residential accommodation to reduce the risk of transmitting the virus through travel. In these circumstances, providers should support students to do so by keeping services for students, such as university libraries and catering facilities, open

  • Tier 4 (last resort): We expect the majority of provision to be online, with buildings open for essential workers only. This should include the continuation of essential research

We will keep our community updated if the situation changes.

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