Students told to stay away from uni until ‘at least mid-Feb’ under new lockdown rules

Students have been told to stay away from uni until at least mid-February under the new English lockdown rules announced this evening.

A mass return to campus had previously been planned over a two-week period from 25th January, but has now been pushed back by a fortnight as the country descends into a third lockdown.

Apart from a small set of students – including medics, trainee teachers, and specific courses with practical elements – students are being told to “remain where they are wherever possible, and start their term online, as facilitated by their university until at least mid-February.”

However, no other measures or support for students has been included in the guidance.

Those studying medicine and dentistry, subjects allied to medicine, veterinary science, education, social work, and courses with accredited elements that can’t be rescheduled will be allowed to return – as long as they’ve been tested twice or self-isolated for 10 days. All other students – including those on other practical courses – have been told to stay away.

The government has also warned students against travelling back and forth between home and university.

However, an exemption has been carved out allowing students to meet people outside their household for uni purposes.