DURHAM University is working “proactively” with staff and students to formulate a safe return home at the end of term.

A “pan-university” staff and student working group is liaising with academic departments, colleges and student representative bodies to develop a plan to ensure, “a safe and healthy” return home prior to Christmas.

Separate plans will be put in place for students wishing to remain on campus during the festive break.

In a “position statement” the university said: “We will be communicating with our wider staff and student body, and our local community, about our plans for the end of term, in due course.”

The university executive said: “Throughout the pandemic, the health, safety and wellbeing of our community, and the communities of which we are part, has been our top priority and this remains the case.”

It said it has sought to address the effects of the pandemic on university activities, informed by guidance from the Government and professional bodies, and working closely with national and local partners, including the recognised trade unions and the Students’ Union.

“Colleagues from all parts of the university have worked exceptionally hard since the first lockdown to create Covid-secure environments across our campus.

“The executive understands this is a time of increased anxiety for many members of staff and we continue to ask colleagues with specific health concerns to raise them in the first instance with their line managers, if they have not already done so.”

“The executive also recognises that it is not good for the health and wellbeing of our students to be confined to their place of residence and unable to access some teaching and other services on a socially distanced ‘in person’ basis.

“Supporting these varying needs is a major part of the job of the executive and something we continue to discuss on a daily basis.

“Our current arrangements to address individual circumstances will remain in place, which includes an entirely online offer, which has been taken up by around 2,000 students this term.”

New cases of coronavirus, which peaked at more than 100 on the university campus on October 20, dropped to ten, eight students and two staff, by Monday this week.