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English universities should stop face-to-face teaching and return to online classes in early December to allow students to return home safely at Christmas, the government has said.
The guide to be issued by the Department of Education will say that students will be able to travel between December 3 and 9 to ensure that families can reunite during the holiday period.
Universities are expected to employ staggered release dates during this “student travel window” and work with nearby institutions to manage the resulting pressure on transportation infrastructure.
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The hope is that the risk of transmission is reduced as students will head home after four weeks. COVID-19 emergency shutdown.
The government has promised to work closely with universities to establish a massive testing capacity.
Coronavirus The tests will be offered to as many students as possible before they leave, ministers say.
Universities in high prevalence areas will be prioritized, the DfE said.
If students test positive for the virus before the travel window, they will have plenty of time to complete their self-isolation and get home by Christmas.
However, if a student chooses to remain on campus until the end of December, they will be required to remain in isolation in their accommodation for 10 days if they test positive for COVID-19.
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Colleges will be asked to offer additional help and support to students staying on campus over Christmas, including affordable food.
Durham University is running a pilot project for rapid tests, which includes the identification of asymptomatic people.
Several hundred employees and students from two Durham universities have participated in the voluntary scheme.
The pilot uses self-administered lateral flow tests, which use a nose and throat swab and provide results in 30 minutes.
Durham is exploring whether massive testing is possible throughout the university before Christmas.
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Commenting on the guide’s release, Minister for Universities Michelle Donelan said: “We know this Christmas will feel different and after this incredibly difficult year, we are fulfilling our commitment to have students return to their loved ones from the safest way possible during the holidays. ” .
“We have worked very hard to find a way to do this for students, while limiting the risk of transmission.
“It is now vital that they follow these steps to protect their families and communities, and that colleges ensure that students have all the wellness support they need, especially those who remain on campus during vacation.”
Deputy Medical Director Dr. Jenny Harries said the “massive student movement” presents a “really significant challenge” amid the pandemic.
“The measures announced today will help minimize that risk and help students get home to their families as safely as possible by Christmas,” he said.
“It is critical that students follow the lead to protect their families and the communities to which they return.”
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Universities UK said students and staff “will appreciate the confirmation of the government’s end-of-term plans” in light of the “prolonged uncertainty they have faced this year.”
“With colleges being asked to end in-person learning by December 9, some students will now miss scheduled assignments, hands-on classes, and other in-person instruction near the end of the term,” said a spokeswoman.
“Universities will need to work with students and the government to manage the challenges this creates.
“The government must now urgently turn its attention to working with the industry on plans to ensure that students can safely resume their studies in person in January, supported by enhanced testing capacity.”
Jo Grady, secretary general of the University and University Union, said the government’s plans were “riddled with holes” and “raised as many questions as they answered.”
“Leaving just one week for about a million students to travel across the country leaves little room for error,” he said.
“If the government instead told universities to move online now, it would provide a lot more time to scale the movement of students and better protect the health of staff, students, and their wider communities.”
