Students should be urged to stay on their college campus over Christmas time after government scientists warn of risks of’ larger outbreaks’ of Covid -19 when terms end in December
Experts fear students will spread the disease to their local communities when they return home for the Christmas holidays, and urged ministers to develop policies to mitigate the risks posed
The warnings are contained in the latest minutes of the Scientific Advisory Group for Emergencies (SAGE) meetings
The documents indicate that the risks of larger outbreaks « spilling out of higher education institutions » are more likely to occur towards the end of the academic term, coinciding with the Christmas and New Years period
« This could pose a risk to both local communities and families, and will require national level supervision, monitoring and decision making, » SAGE warned
A scientist involved in the discussion said the issue was ‘of sufficient national concern’ to require the government to monitor the higher education sector and develop policies to stop further outbreaks
Universities across the UK have already been hit with a rash of infections, with the University of Liverpool confirming this week that it has had 87 this week, while the University of Dundee has asked 500 students to isolate themselves due to an epidemic in university residences
Nick Hillman, director of the Higher Education Policy Unit and former government special adviser to the universities minister, said the government would be obligated to tell students to stay on campus during school break. Christmas
“Ministers will need to tell students it’s better to stay away from home this year. It’s no different than any other situation If you follow science, what else can the government say?” M Hillman said
« The problem will be that if they return home, they will bring the virus back to their parents and families. This is just another on the long list of sacrifices people will have to make to fight this disease »
He added that universities will need to be prepared to have « a significantly larger proportion » of their students on campus on Christmas Day, and suggested that institutions should try to keep campuses open to prevent students. don’t mix with old people in local pubs
This comes after Oxford Council agreed to hold a town hall to discuss concerns from local residents about large gatherings of students ignoring social distancing rules at Oxford Brookes University
Ministers have yet to make plans to stop students from spreading the coronavirus, but they will desperately want to avoid telling students to celebrate Christmas away from their families
A spokesperson for the Department of Education said: ‘We will continue to monitor the situation very closely and follow the advice of Public Health England, adjusting policies to better support students and providers as they arise. that the situation evolves »
Student, Christmas Day, campus
News from the world – UK – Ministers must tell students to stay on campus over Christmas to avoid Covid-19 outbreaks
SOURCE: https://www.w24news.com
