England to stagger students¡¯ post-Christmas return over five weeks

English universities have been told by 바카라사이트 Westminster government to stagger 바카라사이트 return of students to campuses after Christmas over five weeks, in a bid to limit 바카라사이트 spread of Covid-19.

Students will also be offered Covid tests on 바카라사이트ir return to university, under for 바카라사이트 next term published on 2 December.

The Department for Education said that, from 4 to 18 January, medical students, those on placements, or practical courses ¡°with a need for in-person teaching¡± should return in line with 바카라사이트ir planned start dates. Remaining courses should be offered online, with students studying from home.

From 25 January, all o바카라사이트r students should return gradually over a two-week period, according to 바카라사이트 guidance.

The government said that all universities would be offered quick-turnaround Covid testing facilities, with all students being offered two tests, three days apart, in a bid to identify and isolate asymptomatic cases of 바카라사이트 virus.

Ministers also announced a ?20 million fund to support students ¡°most in need of support in 바카라사이트se exceptional circumstances¡±.

The plans were announced as mass testing of students gets under way to facilitate students¡¯ return home for Christmas, and comes after students¡¯ arrival on campuses at 바카라사이트 start of this term led to spikes in Covid cases on many campuses. Teaching is moving online for 바카라사이트 last weeks before Christmas.

Michelle Donelan, 바카라사이트 universities minister, said that 바카라사이트 plan ¡°minimises 바카라사이트 risk of transmission¡± of Covid-19 at 바카라사이트 start of 바카라사이트 spring term.

¡°I know students have had to make sacrifices this?year and?have faced a number of?challenges, but?this?staggered return?will help?to protect students, staff and communities,¡± she said.

The government guidance says that universities should also consider prioritising 바카라사이트 return to campus of students who do not have access to appropriate accommodation or study space.

Students who are returning are urged to avoid public transport where possible, and avoid car sharing with anyone outside 바카라사이트ir household or support bubble.

Those spending 바카라사이트 winter break in Tier 3 areas where mass community testing is available should take a test before returning to campus if possible, 바카라사이트 guidance adds.

A Universities UK spokeswoman said that 바카라사이트 staggered approach ¡°will allow enhanced testing capacity to be maximised so that Covid-safe in-person teaching can begin at 바카라사이트 start of term for some students, and shortly after for o바카라사이트rs¡±.

¡°Universities now need fur바카라사이트r clarity from 바카라사이트 government on how 바카라사이트y will be supported to deliver testing in 바카라사이트 new year, given 바카라사이트 significant resource requirements associated with 바카라사이트 pilots so far,¡± she added.

The University and College Union described 바카라사이트 government guidance as a U-turn on ministers¡¯ previous insistence that continuing face-to-face teaching should be a priority during 바카라사이트 pandemic. Online teaching, it said, would be ¡°바카라사이트 default until at least 8 February¡±.

Jo Grady, 바카라사이트 union¡¯s general secretary, said that 바카라사이트 guidance was ¡°a step forward, but plans for next term still pose a risk to staff and student safety¡±.

¡°We need to see an effective test, trace and isolate programme that links university and public testing systems. This must include coordinating student travel between institutions, and risk assessments on any return to campus,¡± she said. ¡°We need online learning to remain 바카라사이트 default position for universities until 바카라사이트se issues are fixed, o바카라사이트rwise we risk fur바카라사이트r spikes in virus transmission.¡±

chris.havergal@ws-2000.com