City universities issue warning on latest rules

Both universities in Bath have written an open letter to students making clear they will not hesitate to take action should students break coronavirus restrictions including the rule of six.

The University of Bath and Bath Spa University’s vice-chancellors and presidents of the student union have co-authored the letter.

It reminds students that they have a “vital role to play in keeping communities safe” from the virus.

There are clear instructions about the “standards of behaviour” expected, which include observing the six-person rule.

Exeter University has already reported seeing gatherings of up to 300 students in its freshers week.

To ensure that does not happen in Bath, both universities have said they won’t hesitate to take action if breaches do occur.

The letter reads: “So everyone understands their obligations and responsibilities, all members of both university communities have been given clear information on expected standards of behaviour

“This includes observing social distancing and following Government rules about the maximum number of people who can gather socially from different households, which is currently six people.

“Breaching these rules could not only break University regulations and policies, but UK law, and could risk the health and lives of others.

“We must all play our part to protect each other. We trust that all our students will follow these rules, but the universities won’t hesitate to take action if breaches do occur.”

Both universities have explained the steps they have taken to ensure they are opening as safely as possible. Bath University has said that it has hundreds of rooms available to students returning from overseas so they can quarantine. Bath Spa has said that it has also made rooms available and put in place a whole host of measures.