UEA halls tell freshers they won’t replace sanitiser if people keep stealing it

Freshers living in Norwich halls have been told to stop stealing hand sanitiser or it won’t be replaced.

Since COVID-19 has been declared a pandemic the University has provided each campus accommodation with hand sanitizer dispensers, however, an email sent out to all students reveals the residents apparently keep stealing it.

The email says some of the dispenses “have gone missing” and adds: “If they continue to be stolen, they will not be replaced”.

One UEA fresher told The Norwich Tab the situation was “stupid,” adding: “Stop stealing it and share with others.”

Another told The Norwich Tab they “totally understand” the why the hand sanitisers might end up going unreplaced, but still wasn’t happy about the idea of halls taking away the dispensers altogether.

“I shouldn’t suffer because someone else can’t behave,” they said.

A spokesperson for UEA for told The Norwich Tab they had no idea about the email, saying: “As far as I am aware, we didn’t do that.”

The full email reads: “In response to the coronavirus, everyone should maintain good hand, respiratory and personal hygiene to help prevent the spread of germs – the NHS is advising that we should all wash our hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, or use hand sanitiser gel if soap is not available.

“You will have noticed that hand sanitisers have been provided outside residences but disappointingly some of these have gone missing.

“Cleaning services will replenish the hand sanitisers but if they continue to be stolen, they will not be replaced. They are provided for the benefit of all residents and we hope that this will be respected.”

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