Christmas is an important time of year for spending time with family, friends and loved ones. This year, more than ever, many people are missing loved ones and are eager to spend time with them. I am pleased to hear that University students will be able to travel home to spend Christmas with their families once the national restrictions end on the 2nd of December.
Until then, students will be required to follow the current restrictions, completing this four week period in their term-time accommodation. Between the 3rd and 9th of December, this will be known as the student travel window, where they will be able to head home. This will be staggered, with dates being set by the Universities.
Testing will be offered to as many students as possible before traveling home, this combined with the staggering of departures will reduced the risk of transmissions. For those in higher risk areas, they will be a priority for testing, providing further reassurance that when they test negative they can return home safely.
However, some students will test positive and if so they will be asked to remain and self-isolate for a period of ten days. By moving all learning online by the 9th of December it will give students enough time to self-isolate if needed and still be home in time for Christmas.
Christmas will be different this year and I sympathise with how hard it has been for many people not being able to see loved ones. That is why I fully support every effort to make sure students are able to return home for Christmas. The increase in testing especially in Universities will help cut transmission and I hope provide some reassurance to families during this difficult time.
There are many students away and retuning home to South Derbyshire this Christmas and I would urge students to follow the guidelines given in order to protect families, friends, loved ones and communities.
For more information on the new Government guidance, visit: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/higher-education-reopening-buildings-and-campuses
