Self-isolate or it will be lonely this Xmas, students are warned

STUDENTS may have to self-isolate at the end of the university term if they want to go home for Christmas, the education secretary has said.

Gavin Williamson told MPs it was ‘essential’ that measures were put in place to ensure students could be with loved ones during the festive period while ‘minimising the risk of transmission’ of Covid-19.

Rules would be applied ‘where there are specific circumstances that warrant it’, he said, adding that may include ‘ending inperson learning’.

Mr Williamson (pictured) said guidance would be published ‘shortly’. The minister has been accused of being ‘completely absent’ as a surge led to confirmed cases at 30 UK institutions. Thousands of students have already had to self-isolate at universities including Manchester Metropolitan, Glasgow and Edinburgh Napier. National Union of Students vice-president for higher education Hillary Gyebi-Ababio said: ‘We’ve seen universities lock fire gates to stop students from leaving their halls, send private security guards with dogs to patrol residences and lock down students with zero notice.

‘Williamson has said his government prioritises education, but he’s been completely absent until today.’

She argued the government ‘ must now give students the right to leave their courses and accommodation without financial detriment’.

But in a speech yesterday prime minister Boris Johnson said it was ‘up to universities’ to decide on refunds.

Meanwhile, shadow education secretary Kate Green warned Mr Williamson needed to ‘get a grip’ or ‘students will be unable to continue their studies, families will be concerned for their wellbeings and universities will face serious financial difficulties’.