Labour’s Shadow Education Secretary, Kate Green MP, has called for the government to consider pausing the return of students to university while on BBC Breakfast this morning.
In the interview, Ms Green acknowledged that there were many students on campuses across the country already, but for those that aren’t “the government should consider whether it makes sense to pause the migration to university”.
Students isolated in their halls and flats will be desperate to be home with family & friends for Christmas. Today I called for mass testing for covid so they’ll know they can travel safely pic.twitter.com/xpoke7aLWv
— Kate Green (@KateGreenSU) September 27, 2020
Her comments follow reports of some hall of residence being put into lockdown at Exeter, Manchester Met and some Scottish universities. Reports indicate over 1,700 students at Manchester Metropolitan University have been told to stay in their rooms at two halls of residence after 127 students tested positive.
What about Loughborough?
It is currently unlikely that any of these measures would be taken here in Loughborough yet, as Move in Day’s are well under way and the message that the COO and Vice Chancellor have been sending out is that the university is keen to welcome students back and intends to deliver in-person teaching where possible.
Chief Operating Officer, Richard Taylor, recently made clear in a number of tweets the measures that the University would be willing to go to prevent any kind of restrictions for students returning home for the Christmas break.
I know many parents and Loughborough students are anxious about the ‘students not allowed home at Xmas’ story. I’ve discussed this with VC Bob and @LSU_President this morning. I thought it helpful to add further to my earlier comments.
— Richard Taylor (@RichardTaylor_) September 27, 2020
Be sure to keep up to date with the current number of cases in Loughborough through our weekly Covid-19 case updates.
- BACK TO THE BUBBLE: University COO warns students to be careful on campus
- FRESHERS LINEUP: Find out what events you can expect this Freshers week!
- LSU STATEMENT ON STUDENT OPPORTUNITIES: ‘Activities to be delivered digitally’
- FRESHERS 2020 MOVE IN DAYS: Check out Move in Day 1
