Academy Statement - COVID-19

Latest update: Wednesday 5th May 2021

We are pleased to announce the Academy re-opened fully for all classes from Monday 12th April. This includes Morning and Midday classes. Online and hybrid teaching continues for students that are; joining from overseas, self-isolating on arrival to the UK, or if students have to self-isolate during their course in Cardiff.

After a successful partial re-opening in March we are delighted that all face-to-face classes have returned from Monday 12th April. Covid secure rules are in place at the Academy and you can see our re-opening walk-around video here. Students and staff are also encouraged to participate in weekly Lateral Flow Testing so that we can keep Celtic safe, together.

Thanks to a continuously improving situation in Wales we are now seeing society re-opening in many areas. Wales is now in the process of moving from Alert Level 4 to Level 3, by May 3rd and is making good progress. See the latest statement from the First Minister here.

Wales has the lowest coronavirus rates of the UK nations. The successful vaccine programme continues with a higher proportion of people vaccinated in Wales than other nations of the UK for both first and second doses.

The “stay local” rule was removed and travel is now possible around Wales, into England and across the UK. Please remember that each country within the UK can have different Coronavirus safety rules to follow. Everyone is still reminded to plan their journeys carefully, following the rules for staying in accommodation, public transportation and gathering with other people.

See the Welsh Government page for all rules and Visit Wales website for more information about tourism.

We summarise here for you the the latest changes in Wales:

∎ Wales is in the process of moving from Alert Level 4 to Level 3.

∎ People in Wales can now travel around Wales, into England and the rest of the UK.

∎ 6 people can meet outside together from 6 households. You must keep 2m social distancing. It can be in gardens.

∎ Pubs, restaurants and cafes are open outdoors.

∎ Outdoor sports facilities for golf, tennis and basketball are open.

∎ Outdoor attractions like theme parks are open.

∎ Libraries are open.

∎ Hairdressers and barbershops are open, by appointment only.

∎ Places of worship are open, with rules to follow.

∎ You can still form a bubble with another household if you are 1 adult living alone. If you need to make a new bubble, you can, but you must have a gap of 10 days.

∎ Self-catering accommodation is open in Wales, but only for people from the same household.

From April 12th:

∎ Schools fully reopen – including Celtic English Academy!

∎ Non-essential shops and contact services, like beauty salons, reopen.

∎ Travel allowed between Wales and the rest of the UK.

From April 26th*:

∎ Pubs, restaurants and cafes open outdoors (indoor hospitality will remain closed until May 17th except for takeaways)

∎  Outdoor attractions including theme parks and zoos

∎  Organised outdoor activities for up to 30 people

From 3rd May*:

∎ Gyms, leisure centres, swimming pools and community centres, including swimming lessons and organised activities for up to 15 people, like exercise classes.

∎ Extended households can form to allow 2 households to meet together inside. You can only create 1 extended household and not change it.

From 17th May*:

∎ Indoor hospitality – pubs, restaurants and cafes

∎ Indoor entertainment – cinemas, bowling

∎ All tourism accommodation

During May*:

∎ The Welsh Government will test a small number of planned outdoor events between 200 and 1000 people.

∎ The Government is working with the Muslim Council of Wales to see how Eid celebrations outside could be included.

*All the above are subject to review, provided cases remain low. Wales expects to move fully into Alert Level 3 by May 3rd.

Homestay accommodation resumes from April 4th

Now that Wales is moving out of Alert Level 4 we can accept homestay bookings for over 18s again from Sunday 4th April.

We still recommend our excellent high-quality self-catering residence accommodation. We have the option of Standard or Studio rooms.

We have continued to place -18 students in homestay accommodation during Level 4 lockdown. Please contact us if you have any questions.

Mandatory rules for international arrivals to the UK

● All international arrivals to the UK must self-isolate for 10 days on arrival as travel corridors are suspended.

● You must show proof of a Covid-19 negative test to travel to England, UK from abroad. You must take the test within the 3 days before your flight or ferry service departure. You will need to show proof on arrival to the UK. Read the UK Government information here.

● If you stop in another country during your journey to the UK, where possible you should get a test within 3 days of your final departure point before entering the UK.

● Even if you have received a Covid-19 vaccine you must still test.

● You must take a Covid-19 PCR test on days 2 and 8 of self-isolation.

● You must pre-order and pay £210 for the Covid-19 PCR travel test package kit for days 2 and 8 of self-isolation. Order the travel test kit here. It is easiest to do this online but if you need help or support you can call +44 (0)1274 726424 or email [email protected]

● If you test positive on any of your post-arrival tests you must self-isolate for an additional 10 days

● There are fines if you do not follow the self-isolation and testing rules. Read the Welsh Government information here.

Self-isolation rules for all arrivals – “Red” or “Amber”

● “Red list” countries must self-isolate in Government approved quarantine hotels. Currently, our students are not usually coming from red countries (see more information about “red list” countries below if this applies to you – you must enter on a Short Term Study Visa for 6+ months). Book the quarantine hotel package here if it does apply to you. There are no designated ports of entry in Wales, so this will be in England.

● “Amber list” countries are all other countries that are not on the red list and are the majority of our international students. You can choose your accommodation for self-isolation and don’t have to stay in the government-approved hotels. You can come directly to Wales on arrival.

● The accommodation offered by Celtic for students to self-isolate is Lumis Student Living Residence standard or studio rooms. Homestay is also now available for over 18s.

● In all cases, you must travel directly to your accommodation and provide your address and contact details on the Passenger Locator Form.

● In all cases you must follow the testing rules on days 2 and 8 as above.

Note: the “Test to Release” scheme does not apply in Wales and is only valid in England. It is also not valid for “Red list countries”.

UK “red list” travel ban on arrivals from Latin America, Portugal, UAE and many African countries.

● This is a rule announced by the UK government to protect against the transmission of variants of the virus banning travel from all “red list” countries.

●  This applies to those that have travelled directly from, or passed through, a “red list” country in the last 10 days before arrival to the UK.

● Students from “red list” countries can come to the UK for English language courses but must enter with a Short Term Study Visa valid for 6-11 months. It is not currently possible to enter on a Visitor Visa.

● The other exception is for British and Irish nationals, or third-country nationals with residence rights in the UK, who will be able to enter the UK.

● All travelling from a “red list” country must self-isolate for 10 days on arrival in a quarantine-approved hotel. They must provide evidence of a negative test to enter the UK in the first place and follow the rules for isolation and testing during their time in the quarantine hotel, including testing on days 2 and 8.

Helpful information for students departing the UK

**Please note it is your responsibility to check the requirements for testing and departure following the rules of your airline and arrival country. Celtic can support and guide students but is not responsible for giving advice or recommendations about anything related to testing and departure, which will always be your final decision and responsibility.

● All students departing the UK to return to their home country must follow the Covid-19 advice of their country for arrivals. See the UK foreign travel advice page here and search by country.

● You must also check the advice of your airline e.g. some require your test results documentation to include your passport number.

● Most countries require a Covid-19 negative test result up to 72 hours (within 3 days) before departure.

● Most countries require a PCR or LAMP test but it is your responsibility to check which test is required for entry to your country and from your airline. You must also check if they need a printed copy of the test or will accept a digital copy by email.

● You cannot use the UK NHS test for departing travel. You must book a private test. Here are local private clinics close to the Academy: Pontcanna Medicspot, Nomad Travel Clinic near St. David’s Centre, Vivo Clinic Cathedral Road, Boots Cardiff. Also, Cardiff Airport offers PCR testing even if you are not flying from there.

● Cardiff Airport offers rapid and standard PCR testing. You receive the results by email and it is your responsibility to print if you need to show a printed copy of your results on departure (most airports and airlines require a printed copy). Rapid PCR tests results are available in 4 hours, Standard PCR tests usually in 48 hours.

● We do not recommend ordering a UK home testing kit because you risk not having enough time to receive your test and results before departure.

Departing from London Heathrow Airport

● Heathrow Airport has a good pre-departure testing facility. You can pre-book your departure test at the airport.

● It is recommended that you have plenty of time to take your test and check-in at Heathrow Airport, for example 7 hours before your flight.

● It is your responsibility to check the type of test you need pre-departure for the country you are travelling to.

● The tests that can be done and receive results within 45 – 90 minutes at Heathrow airport are the; LAMP, Rapid Antigen and Antibody. The PCR test takes 48 hours (in terminal) or the next day (drive through centre).

● If you use the Heathrow Airport testing service and test positive before departure you will have to quarantine and reschedule your flight.

I’m a new student, travelling soon. What can I do?

You can:

• Choose to arrive and join online classes during self-isolation on arrival (you must follow the required testing and self-isolating rules for the “Red” or “Amber” list country you are travelling from, see above).

• Choose to start studying online from home and change your start date for your face-to-face classes in Cardiff.

• Choose to postpone your arrival date for face-to-face classes

• See our full Study with Confidence terms here. (Currently valid until September 2021)

Please contact us if you have any questions or concerns about your course with us. You can write on the website chat, Whatsapp +44 7803 495 194 or email [email protected].

Read more about:

Our Free Standard Residence Accommodation for students who must quarantine on arrival

Our 0% Cancellation Fees policy

Resources for current students during, lockdown, self-isolation and daily life

You can get free standard residence accommodation for 10 days quarantine on arrival until the end of April

Wales and the UK has a 10 day self-isolation quarantine period.

Even with a negative test, all international arrivals must complete 10 days quarantine on arrival to the UK.

The travel corridor list is not in use now and is replaced by “Red” and “Amber” list countries. All students must quarantine for 10 days on arrival to Wales. The “Test to Release” after 5 days scheme does not apply in Wales.

Celtic will continue to offer free standard residence accommodation for 10 days quarantine on arrival (reduced from 14 days) for students travelling from countries outside of the travel corridor list. This is valid for arrivals until mid-April (completing the isolation period by April 30th or pro-rata for the days that fall before April 30th).

Please contact us for more information if you want to make a new booking. Current student bookings will not be changed if the 2 weeks (14 days) free accommodation was applied.

Who does the self-isolation rule apply to?

From January 2021, people in Wales should self-isolate for 10 days if they:

• Are an international arrival to the UK (even with a negative test)
• Received a positive test result for Covid-19
• Have symptoms of Covid-19 and are waiting for a test result, or have not been tested, but do not require hospital treatment
• Live with someone who has tested positive for Covid-19 or is showing symptoms that may be caused by the virus
• Study in a class bubble where the teacher or other students are showing symptoms or have received a positive test result. Celtic will support and advise students in this situation
• Have any close contacts who have tested positive for coronavirus

Can I start my classes if I am in self-isolation?

Yes. Students due to arrive in Cardiff can still arrive and start their classes online, then join face-to-face classes.

Online and hybrid teaching is available even with the return to face-to-face classes.

Any student that wishes to postpone their arrival or needs to change their plans, for whatever reason, can still use the Study with Confidence terms for maximum flexibility, valid until September 2021.

Thank you for your cooperation as we work together to respect government rules to keep everybody well and safe.

Please remember that the UK has a national government but the devolved nations of Wales, Scotland and N.Ireland follow regional government rules for health and education. Therefore you might observe that different decisions are being made in different parts of the UK, for this reason. We will be happy to talk with you about the comparative situation across the UK if the national or international media is confusing for you.

Can I postpone the start date of my English course?

Yes. Celtic English Academy offers 0% cancellation fees for any new individual booking that will start within 12 months from the school reopening date (September 2020). We want you to be able to plan your future and study with confidence.

Read the full flexible booking policy and conditions here.

How did Celtic English Academy adapt to the pandemic?

When you visit, you will notice some changes at the Academy to keep everyone safe:

• Students and staff wear face coverings at all times

• Students and staff scan the NHS Track and Trace app QR code every time they enter the Academy

• Weekly lateral flow testing is in place

• Automatic hand sanitisers are available in all classrooms and as you enter the buildings

• Plastic screens at reception and at the desks of key support staff

• Floor markings to guide you around the Academy in a priority system, whilst maintaining distance from other students and staff.

• Desks and chairs in classrooms have been spaced out for social distancing

• Classes are on average 4-6 students in person, instead of the maximum of 10 usually

Celtic English Academy achieved the Wales and UK-wide industry-standard and consumer mark – ‘We’re Good To Go’ upon reopening.

It is a supporting mark from Visit Britain that means educational tourism businesses can show students, agents and visitors that the Academy is following the Welsh Government and public health guidance and have carried out a COVID-19 risk assessment. You can read more about it here.

Celtic also now has the Safe Travels badge from the World Travel & Tourism Council.

Are you a current Celtic English Academy student?

If you are a current student and want to talk to us about daily life in Cardiff please contact us on the website chat. We care about your wellbeing, so you can contact us at any time. The Celtic family is here for you and when you are in Cardiff, you are part of our community.

If you feel unwell or have symptoms of COVID-19 please contact us and Celtic staff will help to tell you what to do next: +44 (0)7803 495 154 is the 24/7 emergency number.

You can also check out our following guides for students.

Celtic’s Covid-19 Guide for Students

A visual guide to keeping yourself and others safe when studying at the Academy.
Download Guide

NHS Step-by-Step Guide for Lateral Flow Testing

The official NHS guide for staff and students who agree to participate in bi-weekly lateral flow testing to help keep the Academy safe. All results, positive, negative or invalid, must be reported on the UK.Gov online form.

Download Guide

Staying Safe Advice for Students

We have put together a guide to help you stay safe and keep positive
Download Advice

Self-Isolating Help for Students

We understand that this is a difficult time living through a pandemic. We have put together a guide to help you if you need to self-isolate.
Download Help Guide

How to stay connected with Celtic English Academy during COVID-19

We put in place more ways to connect with you in response to the lockdown and school closure measures that are taking place in the UK from January 2021.
Read more about it.

Click here if you want to read the historic COVID-19 updates published by Celtic English Academy.