Durham University's plan 'to protect city and students during Covid pandemic'

Thousands of new students arrived in Durham last weekend to start their university education, with the university promising a world-class education and wider student experience – even as it prioritises the health, safety and wellbeing of staff, students and local communities first.

To minimise the risk of cross-infection as freshers arrive from different parts of the UK and overseas, university leaders have asked all new students who arrived in their colleges up to the weekend to remain in their college precinct until tomorrow and students ‘living out’ in the city not to visit their college for two weeks.
This follows some international students arriving early, to allow 14 days’ self-isolation.

The Covid-19 restrictions in place

In the colleges, students have been allocated to ‘households’ of up to 18. Multiple households are allowed to meet for organised events in their college, but social distancing or alternative measures such as screens will apply.
When outside of their college, students must follow all Government guidelines including the “rule of six”.

For students “living out” in Durham, the university is closely with Purpose Built Student Accommodation (PBSA) providers and private landlords and has reminded students that no mixing between households is permitted – so no house parties or other social gatherings, in homes or gardens.

Ahead of the new academic year, the university has added Covid-specific commitments to its Student Pledge, which sets out what kinds of behaviour the university expects from its students and which all students now agree to in joining the university.

These include: keeping up to date with the latest Government and university guidance on reducing the spread of Covid-19; following the correct procedures if they experience Covid-19 symptoms, including reporting this to the university, self-isolating and getting a test; and respecting the wider community.

Screens in place at the IT Service Desk

In a message to students on Friday, the university particularly asked students to take special care to maintain at least two metres distance from elderly residents of Durham who are more likely to be vulnerable to the virus.

Further information is being issued to students through the university website, social media and induction events.

Additionally, the university is piloting an out-of-hours University Security Community Response Team. This team will be available from 8.30pm to 4.30am, seven nights a week, to support the police with student engagement, education and encouragement around Covid-19 legislation and the North-East’s local restrictions.

The Response Team will be dispatched by the police, so residents should continue to support Covid-19 legislation breaches by calling 101 or through the Durham Constabulary website.

The university campus with Covid-19 restrictions in place

If students commit Covid-19 breaches, they could also face action under the university’s disciplinary procedure, which carries expulsion as its ultimate penalty.
University leaders are continuing to work closely with Durham County Council and other agencies on planning for how the pandemic might develop.

It has now published its Outbreak Response Plan, which has been approved by the council and the Department for Education, and is hosting a Mobile Testing Unit at Howlands Park and Ride, which is for both university and community use.
A small number of Covid-19 cases have been confirmed in the student community. Public Health England has been informed and those affected are following NHS advice and self-isolating, with university support.

Jeremy Cook, Pro-Vice-Chancellor (Colleges and Student Experience) at Durham University, said: “We are very pleased to be welcoming, or welcoming back, our students to Durham.

“We are all part of the Durham community and we all have a part to play in keeping each other safe. By working together, we are confident that we can look forward to a safe and successful year ahead.”

For the latest updates, visit www.durham.ac.uk/coronavirus/residents