UNIVERSITY students will be able to travel home to spend Christmas with their families once the national restrictions end on December 2, following steps set out in new government guidance published today (November 11).

In order to travel home safely, students in England will be required to follow the current national restrictions in place until December 2, completing this four-week period in their term-time accommodation. 

What is the travel window?

From December 3 to December 9, 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.

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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 December 9 so students can continue their education while also having the option to return home to study from there.

Covid-19 testing for students

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 December 9 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 Michelle Donelan said: “We know this Christmas will feel different, and after this incredibly difficult year we are absolutely committed to getting students back to their loved ones in time for the Christmas break.

“But I know residents in Reading might wonder how students leaving campus, or those coming back to the area, might affect them.

"I want to reassure everyone that we have worked really hard to find a way to do this for this group, while limiting the risk of transmission.

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“With the national lockdown measures, staggered leave times, safer travel guidance and any additional assurances from testing, we are confident transmission can be controlled, and we can enable these students to have the Christmas break they deserve.”

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.