University students will be able to travel home to spend
Christmas with their families once the national restrictions
end on 2 December, following steps set out in new Government
guidance published today (11 November).
In order to travel home safely, students in England will be
required to follow the current national restrictions in place
until 2 December, completing this four-week period in their
term-time accommodation.
From 3 December to 9 December, which will be known as the
‘student travel window’, students will be allowed to travel
home on staggered departure dates set by universities, who will
work with other institutions in the region to manage pressure on
transport infrastructure.
The student travel window will mean students can travel having
just completed the four-week period of national restrictions,
reducing the risk of transmission to family and friends at home.
Universities should move learning online by 9 December so
students can continue their education while also having the
option to return home to study from there.
As announced by the Prime Minister this week, the Government will
also work closely with universities to establish mass testing
capacity. Tests will be offered to as many students as possible
before they travel home for Christmas, with universities in areas
of high prevalence prioritised. This will provide further
reassurance that where students test negative, they can return
home safely and minimise the risk of passing coronavirus on to
their loved ones.
If a student tests positive before their departure they will need
to remain in self-isolation for the required period of ten
days. Moving all learning online by 9 December gives enough time
for students to complete the isolation period and return home for
Christmas.
The guidance delivers on the Government’s pledge to ensure
students can be with their families at Christmas while limiting
transmission of the virus.
Universities Minister said:
“We know this Christmas will feel different, and following this
incredibly difficult year we are delivering on our commitment to
get students back to their loved ones as safely as possible for
the holidays.
“We have worked really hard to find a way to do this for
students, while limiting the risk of transmission. Now it is
vital they follow these measures to protect their families and
communities, and for universities to make sure students have
all the wellbeing support they need, especially those who stay on
campus over the break.”
Universities are expected to make plans to ensure students can
travel home safely at the end of term, working with local public
health officials and transport operators.
Students should follow the Government’s travel guidance, which
includes wearing face coverings unless exempt, avoiding
busy routes and times, and limiting car sharing with only their
household or bubble where possible.
We are working with the other governments across the UK to ensure
that all students, no matter where they live or study are treated
fairly and can travel home as safely as possible to keep all our
communities safe.
English students at universities in Scotland, Wales or Northern
Ireland, should follow the guidance relevant to where they are
living before returning home. When they return to England, they
should follow their local guidance for their home area. Students
returning to their home in England who have not completed the 4
weeks of national restrictions should undertake at least 14 days
of restricted contact either before or after return home to
minimise their risk of transmission.
Universities have also been asked to provide additional help and
practical support to students, particularly for students who
remain on campus over Christmas, which can include care leavers,
international students and students estranged from their
families. Universities should ensure they are properly cared for
and can access affordable food, medical and cleaning supplies if
needed.
The Government has provided over £9 million to leading mental
health charities to help them expand and reach those most in
need, as well as working closely with the Office for Students to
provide up to £3 million to fund Student Space, a new mental
health support platform.
The department also worked with the Office for Students to
clarify that providers were able to use existing funds, worth
around £23 million per month for April to July this year and £256
million for Academic Year 2020/21, towards hardship support.
