Western Morning News (Saturday)
Students in ‘lockdown’ for another week at least
A‘SOFT lockdown’ on University of Exeter students, where they have been asked not to meet any other households indoors, will be extended for a further week.
Students had initially been told on September 28 to not socialise with other households for a two week period as a result of an increasing number of students testing positive for Covid19.
With more than 80% of 532 cases recorded in Exeter in the previous seven days attributable to the University, students will be asked to obey the restrictions for a further week.
In a statement, Mike Shore-Nye, Registrar and Secretary, said: “We review our data, current measures and future plans with Public Health England (PHE) on a daily basis.
“PHE has advised us that if we are able to retain our current levels of vigilance then we may begin to see the rate of cases gradually reduce.
“They have also advised us that relaxation of our current measures too early could potentially have the opposite effect, encouraging increased transmission once again, before case numbers have reduced.
“These cases are almost all within student households and residences.
There remains no evidence of transmission to the wider community, nor of transmission within our Covidsecure teaching spaces.
“We have seen no increase in the small number of staff cases.
“For this reason, and following PHE guidance, I am asking students based in Exeter to continue not to meet indoors with students who are not part of your household for a further week, until October 19.
“The exceptions are for educational sessions on campus, working or volunteering, organised sports and in the case of emergency when someone is vulnerable or in danger.
“I know that this will come as a disappointment, but PHE tells us that this specific measure is having a significant impact on the transmission of the disease, both between students and from students to the wider community.
“Continuing to bear down on the transmission of Covid-19 is the only way we can keep our community safe and avoid further restrictions.”
He added that the University and PHE have been hugely impressed by student compliance with guidelines.