Will there be a need for students to quarantine in England before they can start school?

Yes, currently the quarantine rules remain in place and so all arrivals into England will need to self-isolate for a period of 10 days. The Travel Corridors are currently suspended meaning that there are no exemptions in place.

Will my child have to quarantine in a government hotel?

We are pleased to report that The Department For Education has confirmed that boarding school students will be able to complete the isolation quarantine period at boarding school rather than at a Quarantine Hotel. This includes those arriving from countries on the 'red list'. Please note that unaccompanied stays in hotels are not permitted for students enrolled on the Bright World Guardianships Programme, unless the student is accompanied by a parent or responsible adult.

Can my child still come to the UK if they are from a "red list" country?

As of 15 February, if you have been in or through any country on the travel ban red list in the previous 10 days, you will be refused entry to the UK unless you are a British or Irish National or if you have residence rights in the UK. Students registered at a UK Boarding School do have residence rights and so will be able to enter but please do check with your airline prior to departure. See the list of travel ban red list of countries: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/transport-measures-to-protect-the-uk-from-variant-strains-of-covid-19

If my child is travelling through a "red list" country in transit, will they still need to quarantine on arrival?

Yes, if your child is travelling through a country that is on the UK Gov red list, then they are obliged to quarantine on arrival in the UK. There are heavy fines in place for those providing false or deliberately misleading information when filling out a passenger locator form and so please ensure you provide correct information.

What are Travel Corridors?

On 3rd July 2020 The UK announced 59 Travel Corridors - countries that can be exempt from the quarantine requirements. Although these are currently suspended, the full list of countries is kept under constant review and is available here - https://www.gov.uk/guidance/coronavirus-covid-19-travel-corridors

Will my boarding school offer quarantine?

The majority of UK boarding schools will allow pupils to arrive early so that they could quarantine at the school itself. Some schools are unable to provide this and are relying on guardians to offer a solution for their students. If you are unsure of whether your child's school can offer this service then please contact your Guardianship Care Manager and they will be able to speak with a member of school staff.

Is Bright World able to offer quarantine?

The answer is yes. Bright World Quarantine and Settling in Programme (QSI) ran for the first time in August 2020 at Cambridge Melchior College (CMC) and has had two further successful intakes since its inception. The programme is currently open and able to accept all arrivals from now.

why are some UK boarding schools not offering quarantine?

There are some schools that do not have the facilities needed to offer quarantine. Some do not, for example, have sufficient single, ensuite rooms available. Others maybe do not have the staffing required to run the programme. The reason is not that they do not want to welcome international students back and if they cannot offer quarantine they are pro-actively getting in touch with us at Bright World to talk about using our Quarantine and Settling-In Programme (QSI).

How many tests are required during quarantine and how much will it cost?

From 15th February, all UK arrivals must also book and pay for a travel test package, which will include two COVID-19 tests, to be taken on or before day 2 and on or after day 8 of their quarantine at the cost of £210. You will be asked to provide a reference number when you complete your child's passenger locator form. These two tests will help to inform the government on new variants of the virus and is required regardless of whether your child opts in to the Test to Release scheme. Use The booking portal to book your Travel Test package: https://quarantinehotelbookings.ctmportal.co.uk/

What is The Test to Release Scheme?

The Test to Release Scheme allows you to reduce your child's quarantine period. Travellers are eligible for a private Covid test just 5 days after they enter England and can end self-isolation once a negative result is returned. The scheme is voluntary and so visitors can choose to opt to quarantine for 10 days without a private test instead. Arrivals from 'red list' countries are not eligible for the scheme.

What is the location of Cambridge Melchior College?

CMC is perfectly located in a village outside Cambridge. It is quiet and safe and offers the perfect location for quarantining.

What facilities are there at CMC that make it possible to offer quarantine there?

The college stands in its own grounds in a quiet village. It has beautiful gardens of around 3 acres. The bedrooms are very large and are usually able to accommodate around 4-6 children. For our quarantine programme however, children will be given a room to themselves with an ensuite bathroom and siblings arriving together can share a room. The rest of the college has a lot of space and social distancing measures will be easy to put in place for the small group of students we expect to host.

How many students will join the programme?

We can welcome a maximum of 20 students.

What will happen if a student presents with symptoms while they are at CMC?

They will be well looked after and supervised and will be moved to another house where they can isolate. There is a medical centre next to the Cambridge Melchior College should a doctor be needed. Otherwise, they will have access to wi-fi and television and will be looked after in their spacious room where meals will also be served to them by members of staff.

How much does the quarantine programme cost?

£85 per night for full board and a single ensuite room at CMC.

What is the booking deadline and cancellation policy?

Things are very uncertain and our colleagues at CMC have been absolutely wonderful throughout this Coronavirus situation showing understanding and total flexibility for our customers. They realise that parents cannot make any decisions yet so may not be able to book flights. We can therefore accept late bookings and will not charge a cancellation fee if a child books and then quarantine is not needed.

What if I book my flight, cannot change it and quarantine is not needed? Can I still attend?

Yes, we will run the programme and we will be pleased to be able to relax some of the quarantine rules and take students out of college for walks and short trips. We will just call it the Settling-In Programme and drop the Quarantine!

What if you are not running the programme due to low numbers, there is no need for quarantine and I cannot change my flight?

Bright World will be able to place your child in a host family if quarantine is no longer required. A host family can provide accommodation if quarantine requirements and rules are not in place.

Is English language learning a possibility during the QSI Programme?

Yes, if required, we can offer 9 hours of English teaching per week in socially-distanced classes. This costs £250 and will be on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays. Self study homework will be given on Tuesday and Thursday to complete before the next class.

Is laundry included in the programme?

Laundry is included in the programme and bedding and towels will be changed once per week.

How do the staff and teachers ensure they protect themselves and others?

Teachers and staff will be fully trained in hygeine and will take special measures to wash their hands regularly and use hand sanister regularly. Staff serving food will wear masks and protective clothing.

Are extra measures being put in place for cleaning the college?

Yes - the boarding houses will have a deep clean prior to the arrival of students and will be cleaned regularly throughout the 14 days.

quarantine frequently asked questions

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Michael Voice, Principal of CMC, chats to Charlotte Hamson about the Bright World Quarantine and Settling-In Programme.

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