Academy Statement - COVID-19

Latest update: Friday 18th February 2022

Celtic English Academy is fully open teaching in-person classes. We continue to follow Covid-19 Health & Safety rules.

We do not have Covid rules at the Academy since Covid rules were removed in Wales. However, we recommend the following to keep a Covid-safe environment for everyone:

• Wear a mask if you have a cold

• If you have Covid-19 symptoms and/or test positive, it is a good idea to self-isolate to reduce spreading the virus to other people

• Open windows to keep the Academy ventilated with fresh air

• Respect students and staff that choose to wear a mask

• Respect the personal space of students and staff that want to keep a distance

• Wash your hands regularly and use the sanitisers which are available in every room

Information for students arriving to Wales, UK

You do not need to test when you arrive in the UK.

• You do not need to take a pre-departure test.

• You do not need to take a post-arrival test.

• These rules apply whether you are vaccinated or not.

Information for students departing the UK

When you leave the UK you must check the rules of your home country or the country you are travelling to. You must also check your airline rules. Celtic Academy staff can help you to prepare to leave the UK but cannot take responsibility for testing and departure rules. This is your final responsibility.

We recommend you to:

• Check the Covid-19 arrival advice for your home country. See the UK foreign travel advice page here and search by country.

• Check the advice of your airline.

• Check what test you need to enter the country, for example, a negative PCR or LAMP test before departure.

• Book a private pre-departure test when you leave the UK. You cannot use the free UK NHS tests for travel.

• Here are some local test providers as examples: Boots, DAM Health, Nomad Travel, Vivo Clinic, Cardiff City Stadium drive through, Cardiff Airport. From January 2022 you can also order from Amazon UK.

• Check if you need a printed copy of your negative test result on departure or if a digital copy on your email is OK.

• Make sure you have time to receive your test result before your travel date.

If you are departing from London Heathrow Airport

• Heathrow airport has a good pre-departure testing facility. You can book a test here.

• We recommend you have plenty of time to take your test, get your result and check-in at Heathrow Airport. e.g. 7 hours before your flight.

• It is your responsibility to check the type of test you need for your country of entry.

• It is your responsibility to check how long it takes to receive the results e.g. 3 hours (Express PCR), 2 hours (LAMP), 30 minutes (Lateral Flow/Rapid Antigen).

• If you take the test at the airport and test positive you must quarantine and reschedule your flight

If you have any questions, or doubts, write to us on the website chat, email [email protected] or call +44(0)2920 344 805 and we will be happy to talk about your plans so that you can travel and study with confidence.

See full information about testing and isolation for travel to Wales. Click here

For all Coronavirus rules and updates see:

• The Welsh Government page

• Visit Wales website about tourism in Wales

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Wales is currently at Alert Level 0

Society is generally open in Wales:

• You can travel around Wales and the UK.
• You can go to the gym, leisure and sports centres.
• You can go to pubs, restaurants, cafés, nightclubs, hotels and hospitality venues.
• You can go to entertainment venues like cinemas, theatres and concert halls.
• You can go to indoor and outdoor events.
• You can go to places of worship.
• You can go to public places.

We are encouraged to still follow these health & safety rules in day-to-day life:

• Wash your hands regularly
• Outdoors is safer than indoors, or open windows to improve fresh air circulation
• Wear a face covering – in lessons
• Wear a face covering in shops, on public transport and in health and social care settings – this is law
• Take a lateral flow test before meeting with people
• If you have symptoms, self-isolate and get tested

About the Domestic (UK) NHS Covid pass:

• You do not need to use the Domestic Covid Pass for events and venues now

To read more about life in Wales see the Frequently Asked Questions.

What are the rules for self-isolation in Wales?

Read the full information about self-isolation here.

Here is a general summary but the rules can change. Contact us to discuss your personal situation.

• On arrival to the UK you do not need to self-isolate now.

What if I have symptoms of Covid-19 or a close contact tests positive?

• If you are a student currently studying with us in Cardiff, contact us immediately so we can tell you what to do – call Reception +44 (0)2920 344805 Monday – Friday, or the 24/7 emergency number on evenings or weekends +44 (0)7803 495 194.
• If you think you have symptoms of Covid-19 you must self-isolate immediately and book a PCR test. If your result is positive you must self-isolate for 10 days. You might be able to leave self-isolation after 6 days if you have 2 negative test results on days 5 and 6. See the rules here.
• If you are a close contact of someone who tests positive, you do not need to self-isolate. However, it is a good idea to pay close attention to possible Covid-19 symptoms and minimise contact with vulnerable people.

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

On a case by case basis, hybrid and online teaching may be available. This would be, for example, if an individual/ class or teacher needs to self isolate for Covid-related sickness.

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 December 2022.

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

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

You can:

• Come and join face-to-face classes now

• Change your start date for your face-to-face classes in Cardiff, tell us your postponed date for when you would like to travel

• See our full Study with Confidence terms here. (Currently valid until December 2022)

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

Read more about:

Our 0% Cancellation Fees policy

Where can I live? Homestay or Residence Accommodation

Homestay is available for over 16’s on adult courses. We have a great network of experienced and reliable hosts, that can help make your study abroad experience happy and comfortable.

We also have our excellent high-quality self-catering residence accommodation. We have the option of Standard or Studio rooms. Great if you want to meet other students in a Standard flat with a shared kitchen, or have your privacy in a Studio room.

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 their course until 31st December 2022. We want you to be able to plan your future and study with confidence.

Read the full Study with Confidence flexible booking policy and conditions here.

How did Celtic English Academy adapt to the Covid-19 pandemic?

Although there are now no rules in place in Wales, when you visit, you will notice some changes at the Academy to keep everyone safe:

• Students and staff may wear face coverings
• Automatic hand sanitisers are available in all classrooms and as you enter the buildings

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

• Classes are usually on average 4-8 students in person, instead of the maximum of 10, to give space

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. The 24/7 emergency contact number is: +44 (0)7803 495 154

You can also check out our following guides for students.

Staying Safe Advice for Students

See what we did to support students during the lockdowns in 2020 and 2021. These extra services are no longer running but can be as required.
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 took 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.