Swinney: Students may not be allowed home for Christmas

University students may not be allowed to return home over Christmas if coronavirus is not under control, Scotland’ s education secretary has warned.

John Swinney said there was a “realistic possibility” they could be asked to stay in halls or other university accommodation at Christmas but stressed the Scottish Government wanted to avoid that at all possible cost.

Phased returns home and back to university are being considered by the UK’s governments as part of an attempt to limit further infections caused by the movement of large numbers of people around the country.

The deputy first minister said: “There obviously is a risk that if the virus is not contained, then we may not be able to support the return of students to their homes.

“We want to avoid that but it is a realistic possibility.”

Nicola Sturgeon said ideas were being examined, and indicated students could be granted exemptions to Covid travel restrictions.

Matt Crilly, president of NUS Scotland, said the news would be a blow to students’ mental health.

“Universities and colleges need to clearly communicate with their students on what their next semester is going to look like, so that students can make an informed decision on whether they wish to return,” he said.

A spokesperson for Universities Scotland, which represents campuses across the country, said: “We are working with the Scottish Government to define the plan for what universities and government can do to manage the beginning and end of the Christmas vacation.”

Scott Quinn, president of Dundee student union Dusa, said: “I am asking the government to see this option as a last resort and make use of testing and staggered semester dates to ensure our students can get home for the holidays.”

Daniela Bandeva, president of Aber tay Students’ Association, said: “We’re all doing our best to ensure that students are being taken care of and have already started conversations preparing for what may come our way.

“I would encourage everyone to follow the guidelines set out by the Scottish Government and Public Health Scotland.”