COVID-19: Students to be offered post-Christmas tests - with return set to be staggered over a month
Universities will be offered聽facilities so that students can take two tests three days apart.
Wednesday 2 December 2020 19:51, UK
All students will be offered COVID tests when they go back to university after Christmas and their return should be staggered, the government has said.
The Department for Education (DfE) has asked institutions to stagger the return over five weeks to "ensure the safety of students and staff".
From 4-18 January, it says medical students, those on placements or practical courses with a need for in-person teaching should return as planned.
Remaining students should be offered online tuition until 25 January - when they should start returning gradually over a two-week period.
By 7 February, all students should be back.
The plan is designed to avoid the significant outbreaks seen by a number of universities when students returned in the autumn.
All universities will also be offered facilities to do quick turnaround COVID tests.
Students will be offered two tests three days apart, and results will be available in under an hour.
If they test positive they will have to isolate in their accommodation.
Those returning from Tier 3 areas that offer mass community testing should also take a test before travelling back to university, said the DfE.
The post-Christmas plans follow those allowing students to return home, with 126 universities offering testing before the 'travel window' between 3 - 9 December.
Health Secretary Matt Hancock said: "I encourage all students to play their part in bringing this virus under control by getting tested twice, and by following the restrictions in place when travelling to and from university this term."
A £20m fund to help students facing hardship because of the pandemic has also been announced.
And after concerns about the quality of teaching during the coronavirus crisis, DfE said it expected universities to "maintain the quality, quantity and accessibility of their tuition".
It said the Office for Students would be monitoring the situation.
Universities have also been told to continue to provide extra support to students who are isolating so they can access food and medical supplies, along with mental health support.