Mass testing and a special ‘student travel window’ will help university students in Leamington and Warwick get home for Christmas

Students at the University of Warwick will be able to travel home to spend Christmas with their families once the national restrictions end on December 2, following steps set out in new Government guidance published today (November 11).

In order to travel home safely, students in England will be required to follow the current national restrictions in place until December 2, completing this four-week period in their term-time accommodation. 

From December 3 to December 9, which will be known as the ‘student travel window’, students will be allowed to travel home on staggered departure dates set by universities, who will work with other institutions in the region to manage pressure on transport infrastructure.

The student travel window will mean students can travel having just completed the four-week period of national restrictions, reducing the risk of transmission to family and friends at home.

Universities should move learning online by December 9 so students can continue their education while also having the option to return home to study from there.

As announced by the Prime Minister this week, the Government will also work closely with universities to establish mass testing capacity. Tests will be offered to as many students as possible before they travel home for Christmas, with universities in areas of high prevalence prioritised.

If a student tests positive before their departure they will need to remain in self-isolation for the required period of ten days. 

Universities Minister Michelle Donelan said: “We know this Christmas will feel different, and after this incredibly difficult year we are absolutely committed to getting students back to their loved ones in time for the Christmas break.

“But I know residents in Northampton might wonder how students leaving campus, or those coming back to the area, might affect them. I want to reassure everyone that we have worked really hard to find a way to do this for this group, while limiting the risk of transmission.

“With the national lockdown measures, staggered leave times, safer travel guidance and any additional assurances from testing, we are confident transmission can be controlled, and we can enable these students to have the Christmas break they deserve.”

Universities are expected to make plans to ensure students can travel home safely at the end of term, working with local public health officials and transport operators.