Guests barred from visiting college dorms

COLLEGE students will be banned from visiting campus accommodation that is not their own under newly released public health guidance to tackle coronavirus.

The new advice states that students will be restricted from visiting other student accommodation and guests should not be invited. Students who are not residents of the accommodation should not access the buildings.

Residents in student accommodation should also be given clear direction as to who to contact in case they come down with symptoms and have an area where they can ‘effectively self-isolate if required’.

Time spent in communal areas such as kitchens should also be limited and students should wear face masks in these areas, apart from while eating.

The guidance notes that student accommodation can pose a particular concern for public health because of the close proximity of residents. ‘It may require that there is some alternative residential space that can be made available at short notice to students in campus residences who develop symptoms,’ the guidance reads.

Students are also encouraged to be ‘vigilant’ to note signs and symptoms of the virus in others and be ‘willing to encourage and support other students to self-isolate and seek medical advice’.

As per public health guidance, face masks or visors are recommended for all indoor settings where adequate physical distancing cannot be maintained. Last night, the Irish Universities Association (IUA) welcomed the publication of the guidelines.

‘The overriding objective is to ensure the safe return of all staff and students to on-campus activity this autumn,’ said the IUA.

‘Individual Higher Education Institutions will now work to finalise their plans for the next academic year based on these guidelines and in collaboration with local staff and student representatives.’