Call for tests on arrival in UK for international students

Nicola Sturgeon has been urged to implement a policy of coronavirus testing for all international students coming to Scotland for university.

Scottish Liberal Democrat leader Willie Rennie asked the first minister to commit to overseas university students being tested twice within a week of their arrival.

The North East Fife MSP’s calls come as students prepare to come back to St Andrews, Dundee and Abertay ahead of the new semester.

Dundee University welcomes students from 145 countries, while its 3,000 staff are arranged from 72.

More than 41% of St Andrews University students are from overseas and Abertay also has a significant international cohort.

Ms Sturgeon promised to announce updated government guidance for colleges and universities next Tuesday and said that “testing has an important part to play”.

Citing the recommendation of government adviser Professor Devi Sridhar that international students should be tested for Covid-19 on their first and fifth days, Mr Rennie expressed his “frustration” that new advice had not yet been published.

He said: “Students are arriving for the new term right now.

“It will be the biggest movement of people since the lockdown and I think we’ve all got a duty to keep them safe.”

Ms Sturgeon replied: “While we are finalising updated guidance that we’ll publish this week, there are already arrangements in place that universities and colleges are working to deliver.

“Blended learning, which will be a deliberate effort to reduce numbers on campus, there are arrangements about enhanced cleaning and hygiene measures, two-metre physical distancing.

“Staff and students who are arriving here from certain high-risk countries will have an obligation to quarantine for 14 days which is a really important foundation whatever the final position is on testing.”

Following FMQs, Mr Rennie said: “I’ve been asking about testing for international students every week for a month. We’re still on an emergency footing and the pandemic continues to present a real threat.

“What we’re hearing is yet more delay on the pressing need for international student testing. If this continues much longer, it will be too late.”

Willie Rennie wants a policy in place which would see students tested on their first and fifth days.