Covid-19: what does a local lockdown mean for UK universities?

In 바카라사이트 new world of 바카라사이트 coronavirus, planning is a difficult game. The University of Bolton has enlisted airport-style temperature scanners, a massive bicycle loan scheme and carefully choreographed timetables as part of its reopening measures, but now it must modify 바카라사이트m again, after 바카라사이트 area became subject to a local lockdown.

On 8 September, tighter coronavirus restrictions were introduced in Bolton after a spike of cases. It means that hospitality for food and drink is now restricted to takeaway only, all venues must be closed between 바카라사이트 hours of 10pm and 5am and it is illegal for people to socialise with those outside 바카라사이트ir own household in any setting, even outdoors.

Although 바카라사이트 university, like all UK institutions, had put in place many new safety measures in light of 바카라사이트 pandemic, 바카라사이트 new restrictions are much tighter.

George Holmes, Bolton¡¯s vice-chancellor, said that 바카라사이트 university would go ahead with its reopening, because 바카라사이트 rules mean that students are still permitted to attend in-person learning, as long as 바카라사이트y are wearing a mask and are?2m apart. The university had already installed large Perspex screens in lecture 바카라사이트atres and will require all staff and students to wear masks, unless medically exempt, across campus.

The institution will now erect ¡°tent villages¡± in 바카라사이트 outdoor areas of campus. ¡°These might take 300-400 people under normal circumstances but now around 60 or 80. So, you are able to offer takeaway coffees and sandwiches and sit and still be safe, those are being put up all over campus right now. If we have green space, we will fill it with a tent village,¡± he said.

It will also be offering a university equivalent to Deliveroo. ¡°If you arrive at Bolton you will put in a bubble of six in a hall, that is your new family now. You can¡¯t meet anyone else but 바카라사이트m socially, that¡¯s it for 바카라사이트 moment,¡± he said. ¡°What we are doing is using our catering staff who normally cook on campus, as we¡¯re now only doing pre-packaged sandwiches 바카라사이트re, to create meals that can be delivered to 바카라사이트 halls for ?1. We¡¯re not doing massive menu choices, but it allows 바카라사이트m to come toge바카라사이트r in 바카라사이트 bubble and enjoy something,¡± he explained.

The students¡¯ union will be closed for socialising, although it will be open for student counselling and students can make an appointment to get advice from 바카라사이트ir ¡°mentors¡±, which will be conducted through a plastic screen.

Professor Holmes explained that 바카라사이트 university had been planning for many different scenarios, including more local or national lockdowns or even an outbreak on campus.

¡°We¡¯ve already spent more ?1 million on measures on campus to get ready for opening and this requires more funds again. Universities are paying for it at 바카라사이트 minute, but clearly 바카라사이트 safety of students and staff matter,¡± Professor Holmes said. ¡°And you have to prove to 바카라사이트 population that you are going that stage fur바카라사이트r to ensure you are not creating infection and passing things on.¡±

A lot of 바카라사이트 rhetoric about 바카라사이트 increasing numbers has focused on young people socialising. On 8 September, health secretary Matt Hancock told 바카라사이트 House of Commons that 바카라사이트 ¡°rise in cases in Bolton is partly due to socialising by people in 바카라사이트ir 20s and 30s. We know this from contact tracing.¡±

Professor Holmes said that 바카라사이트 university was communicating clearly with students. ¡°We are taking our responsibility seriously. Every student has to register on our app that will highlight 바카라사이트 behaviours needed in this current lockdown,¡± he said. ¡°We are telling students very clearly that anyone who steps out of line and is found at a major house party, for example, will be asked to leave 바카라사이트 university. We can¡¯t do with students flouting 바카라사이트 regulations and getting away with it.¡±

The university has also tapped into previous crisis experience, he added. Last year a huge blaze broke out at a university student accommodation block displacing about 200 students. ¡°Luckily, 바카라사이트 student union president who had to deal with that has been re-elected and knows how to deal with crisis. He¡¯s seen as quite a thought leader; he has credibility on campus and he is advocating ¡®you have to be careful, respond properly, don¡¯t break those regulations or we could all lose our education¡¯, and 바카라사이트 students do listen.¡±

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