Academy Statement - COVID-19

Latest update: Monday 18th January 2021

The Academy is closed until Friday 29th January due to the lockdown measures in Wales. All classes continue online. We plan to re-open on Monday 1st February, at the earliest.

Schools are closed in Wales until the next review date on Friday 29th January and we plan to re-open on Monday 1st February, at the earliest. Wales entered a level 4 national lockdown from Sunday 20th December. Non-essential shops and services have stopped and people are not allowed to meet up with other households. This will be kept under review by the Welsh Government.

Lockdown measures were also announced in England and Scotland. They have different rules about schools closing. You can read the BBC news here.

It is mandatory for international arrivals to the UK to have a Covid-19 test 72 hours before travelling.

People arriving to the UK by plane, train or boat (including UK nationals), will have to take a test up to 72 hours before leaving the country they are in and show proof of a negative test on arrival to the UK. Or there is a £500 fine. Read the UK Government information here.

It is mandatory for international arrivals to the UK to self-isolate for 10 days on arrival.

Even with a negative test, all international arrivals must complete 10 days quarantine on arrival to the UK. The Travel corridor list is suspended and not in use now.

Read the UK Government guide for how to self-isolate on arrival.

Note: the “Test to Release” scheme does not apply in Wales and is only valid in England.

UK ban on travel from South (and Central) America and Portugal

This is a new rule announced by the UK government.

The only 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 but must self-isolate for 10 days on arrival, along with their household.

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

You can:

• Choose to arrive and complete your self-isolation during the lockdown period (if you are travelling from a country requiring self-isolation on arrival to the UK).

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

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

• See our full Study with Confidence terms here.

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 info@celticenglish.co.uk.

Read more about:

What does a Level 4 lockdown in Wales mean?

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

What is “Level 4 Lockdown”?

Alert level 4 means that:

● People must stay at home, except for limited purposes

● People must not visit other households, or meet other people they do not live with (single adult households can make a support bubble with 1 other fixed household)

● Many types of businesses are required to close

● Face coverings continue to be mandatory in the indoor public spaces that remain open, like at all alert levels

● Travel is only for essential purposes, you can’t leave the local area and go on day trips or holidays

You should only be outside of your home for limited reasons, such as:

• To get food, medicine or supplies for essential household maintenance

• To exercise, alone or with members of your household or support bubble

• To go work, if you cannot work from home

• If you have caring responsibilities

See the green box below for what is staying open.

What does level 4 mean for me as an international student in Wales?

● Education is online until January 29th and we plan to reopen the Academy from February 1st at the earliest: all classes are online during the closure of schools in Wales

● When education is face-to-face: all students and staff must wear face coverings and maintain 2m social distancing

● Essential travel in and out of the Cardiff area is permitted only for arrival or departure: at the start and end of your course.

● Non-essential travel is not allowed: you cannot go to other places outside of Cardiff, for example on a day trip or for sightseeing. You must stay in Cardiff.

● You can only meet people outdoors: you cannot go into other people’s houses to socialise indoors. Friends and family cannot meet indoors. Unless you are a single adult household, you can make a fixed support bubble with 1 other household.

● Wear face coverings: in any indoor public space, including school, and on public transport (bus, train, taxi, plane)

Read here for frequently asked questions on the Welsh Government website.

Read here for more information about the level 4 restrictions.

You can get free standard residence accommodation for 10 days quarantine on arrival

Wales announced the self-isolation quarantine period is shortened to 10 days (from 14 days). You can read the full BBC Wales article here.

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

The travel corridor list is suspended and not in use now. 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-March (completing the isolation period by March 31st).

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
• 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.

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.

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 (August 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:

• 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 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

• 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

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.

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

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.