Covid risks were clear in halls: BBC

An investigation by the BBC has found that the Covid-19 outbreak in student halls was “an accident waiting to happen”.

BBC Disclosure found that some universities did not reduce capacity in halls, despite knowing the need for physical distancing to stop the spread of coronavirus.

It found that while some universities cut the number of students by as much as half, St Andrews University, Edinburgh University and the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland in Glasgow operated their halls at full capacity.

Eight others would not tell the BBC whether or not they cut numbers to allow physical distancing.

Professor Stephen Reicher, who advises both the UK and Scottish governments, told the programme that the risks were pretty clear, saying: “In many ways, this was an accident waiting to happen.”

So far, there have been 1,500 positive tests among students in halls, 10% of all cases in Scotland since September 19.

The programme also investigated claims that the move was financial.

The investigation also found that the Scottish Government changed guidance on remote learning overnight.

Disclosure heard that as late as August 31, draft government guidance for Scottish universities said “work and study that can be done remotely must be done so”.

This was changed to instead focus on “blended” or “hybrid learning”, encouraging students to attend campus.

Higher Education Minister Richard Lochhead MSP said: “We’ve done our best. I accept we’ll look back on this and think we’ve made mistakes, because we’re all dealing with a very difficult situation, where there are no easy options.”