SCOTLAND’S FIRST CLASS SHAMBLES
Now SNP accused of piling ‘mistake on top of mistake’ as beleaguered students hit with new virus guidance
NICOLA Sturgeon has been accused of presiding over a ‘first class shambles’ as students were told they could go home – but only in either ‘exceptional circumstances’ or for good.
New guidance was published last night ordering university students to remain in their halls of residence as it is an ‘offence’ to mix with another household – including their immediate families.
Only those who plan to leave flats or halls permanently can do so, unless they are selfisolating and must leave for their ‘well-being’. the long-awaited guidance stated that those requiring ‘physical, financial or mental support’ during their two-week quarantine could leave – but the entire household they enter must self-isolate.
It suggests there is a legal loophole in the Covid-19 legislation which allows for a ‘defence’ of ‘reasonable excuse in the circumstances’, such as a family emergency or wellbeing issues.
scottish Conservative leader Douglas Ross said: ‘the sNP have slept in and caused a first class shambles. they were slow to prepare and they’ve been slow to react.
‘Clear and timely guidance would have helped enormously. Instead, the sNP have piled mistake on top of mistake.’ In other
developments yesterday in the ongoing battle against coronavirus:
▪ A further 344 people tested positive for Covid-19 in Scotland – 9.1 per cent of those who were tested;
▪ One person was recorded as dying from the virus in the last 24 hours;
▪ Officials revealed that next year’s Holyrood election could be delayed as they draw up contingency plans;
▪ One of the country’s top epidemiologists insisted that the surge in coronavirus cases on campus was ‘inevitable’.
On Friday, the First Minister pledged to publish new guidance over the weekend which could ease restrictions, particularly for those struggling with self-isolation. But this was not published until 6pm yesterday, causing confusion.
The guidance warns students that it remains an ‘offence’ to meet another household indoors following the reintroduction of strict lockdown measures.
It says that ‘as you have formed a new household within your student accommodation, this means that you cannot stay overnight at another household’.
However, it sets out that it ‘is a defence to show that there was a reasonable excuse in the circumstances’.
This includes ‘a visit home for a family emergency, such as a bereavement, or for wellbeing reasons’. The guidance also exempts those self-isolating who need the ‘support and care’ of family or friends. This includes those who need ‘physical, financial or mental health support’.
It states they must continue to self-isolate on their arrival at the new household along with everyone else who lives there. They must not use public transport. Those wishing to move to another household permanently or until restrictions are lifted can do so as there no ban on the ‘formation of new households’ to form a ‘main residence’. But students must ‘consider how you may benefit from in-person learning where your college or university are offering this’ as well as the socialising side of living alone.
Last week rules set out by Universities Scotland effectively banned students from visiting pubs, cafes and restaurants at the weekend. Students were warned they face expulsion for breaching Covid restrictions, including if caught throwing house parties in their accommodation.
Higher Education Minister Richard Lochhead said: ‘We would encourage students to remain living in their current accommodation where they are able to, so they can benefit from a blend of digital and in-person learning, where that is possible and the opportunity to engage with others, within the restrictions, to build new networks and make new friends.
‘However, we know that many students may be struggling with the prospect of not being able to return home.’
Students have also been told that the Government will do everything to ensure they can return home for Christmas.
The latest guidance states ministers are ‘considering the best approach for the festive break, given no one can predict the future path of the pandemic, we will update the guidance in due course’.
On BBC Politics Scotland yesterday, John Swinney said: ‘We want to make sure that students are supported in their wellbeing and crucially being able to get back home to families at Christmas time is a really important part of that work.’
NUS Scotland’s Matt Crilly said: ‘We are disappointed that the Government continues to talk up in-person teaching, which may keep students on campus and increase risks unnecessarily.’
Gerry McCormac, convener of Universities Scotland, said: ‘The Scottish Government’s additional guidance about households puts the emphasis on staying within existing households and avoiding overnight stays elsewhere for now, but not at the expense of an individual’s wellbeing.’