As universities are starting to reopen, the University and College Union is urging campuses to scrap plans for face-to face teaching until Christmas to prevent the second wave of Covid-19.
The UCU stated that with the tens of thousands of students returning to university and moving around the country, could be “a recipe for disaster”. However, university headmasters and headmistresses said they worked hard to ensure the safety of all aspects of student life when they return.
The number of cases began to increase again as it reached 1,715 in the last 24 hours, but are still much lower than 5,000 new cases a day in April. Experts state with the increase in testing over the recent weeks will lead to an increase in detection of the virus.
The UCU’s Jo Grady said there will be an approximate of 100,000 students arriving in Manchester, 80,000 arriving in Birmingham and 40,000 arriving in Leicester. She warned as the higher the number of students expected at universities, the harder it is to follow social distancing measures.
The government has ensured that universities are well prepared for students to return by taking measures such as limiting travel requirements and social distancing around campus.
Image credit: Alexandra Koch from pixabay
