We are currently in the third national lockdown and restrictions have been put in place by the Government on the things you can and cannot do. We have provided examples for some of these rules to help explain what they mean for a University of Kent student.  

You can leave your home for a ‘reasonable’ excuse, some of which include:  

• Essential activities. For example, going to the Parkwood Co-op to shop, going to the Pilkington building for food and drink, getting a meal using your Flex credits or catering packages from Rutherford Dining Hall, and attending a doctor’s appointment. Lockdown has meant the opening hours for facilities at Kent have been changed. In particular, please note the main Kent Union Plaza Co-op will stay closed until further notice. 
• Meeting others to attend a support group. This means you cannot meet and socialise in person with students from other houses or flats unless you are part of a formal support group. For example, the social campus walks organised by Student Support and Wellbeing. 
• Exercise with one other person, or with your household or support bubble. For example, going on a walk as part of the Walking Buddy scheme or with your flatmates. Here are some ideas for scenic walks around Canterbury.  

It is important to note that you are allowed to use the University facilities if you follow the guidance set out in the University FAQs. This means:  

If you are in on-campus or term time accommodation  

The Templeman Library, Drill Hall library and Canterbury campus study spaces are open. You will find some changes have been made to help keep everyone safe. Please only make use of the facilities when it is essential to do so to reduce the number of people on campus at any one time. 

If you are at your permanent home  

You should stay at your current home and not travel between your permanent and term-time addresses. You should avoid returning to University to collect your belongings. Only return to campus accommodation in truly exceptional circumstances, for instance: 

• Where you do not have access to appropriate alternative accommodation, facilities, or study space (including research students who require access to specialist facilities for their work).  
• or you need to return for health/mental health or safety reasons (including collecting any medical equipment or items required for online learning if it essential) 
• or you are arriving from overseas and have made travel arrangements that you cannot change or cannot change without prohibitive expense. 

Please note that access to library books is not a sufficient requirement for returning to campus. Please contact your School for guidance around alternative online material. 

You can read more about Spring return and travel arrangements on the University webpage.