The Department for Education has today (Nov 11) unveiled plans that would allow students to return home over the Christmas period in order to be able to spend time with their family.
The plan revolves around students following the national lockdown through to completion and then travelling home between the 2nd and 9th December, with mass testing being made available to some universities to ensure that students aren’t travelling home and transmitting the disease.
Universities will be required to have moved all teaching online by 9th December, meaning that if a student tests positive, they will be able to complete their 10 days of isolation at their term time accommodation and then return home later in the month if they wish to.
Universities Minister Michelle Donelan said:
“We know this Christmas will feel different, and following this incredibly difficult year we are delivering on our commitment to get students back to their loved ones as safely as possible for the holidays.
“We have worked really hard to find a way to do this for students, while limiting the risk of transmission. Now it is vital they follow these measures to protect their families and communities, and for universities to make sure students have all the wellbeing support they need, especially those who stay on campus over the break.”
The Government has made it a priority to ensure that students are able to return to their families over Christmas to try to counterbalance the extra measure that university’s have found placed upon them.
