There are no official figures on university Covid infection rates from the UK government, but some universities have published some showing much higher rates of infection among students in comparison to their surrounding communities.
The States is carrying out what it calls ‘scoping work’ to understand the challenge, and look at how students can be repatriated to spend Christmas safely with loved ones.
A survey has been emailed to more than 500 students who receive States funding, asking whether they intend to return to the island for Christmas, whether they have already booked their travel, and if it will be possible to safely self-isolate at their family home.
‘The States of Guernsey is aware that students and their families may be concerned about the pandemic beyond the Bailiwick and may be worried about how best to manage the challenges of returning home for the holiday period.
‘The States is carrying out scoping work to understand the extent of these challenges, particularly in relation to the capacity of travel links, before determining any measures that can reasonably put in place.
‘In addition to travel information, it is important that students and their families understand any mandatory self-isolation requirements upon their return.
‘While we do not know at this stage the specific Public Health requirements which will be in place during the Christmas period, currently anyone arriving from the UK must, by law, self-isolate for 14 days.
‘States-funded students have been provided with information about what self-isolation means in practical terms.
‘They have also been asked if it would be possible for them to safely self-isolate at their family home if and when they decide to return.’
One option that the UK government has been considering is whether students in high-risk areas could be asked to self-isolate before they leave their halls of residence and campuses.
In the statement issued by the States there was no mention of this further possible restriction, so it is unclear whether it will apply to Bailiwick students.
To date, dozens of British universities have had reports of coronavirus cases and thousands of students were self-isolating when the new term began.
Manchester University had the highest student infection rate per capita, with 1,155 cases reported in the week ending 6 October, equivalent to 2,888 per 100,000 population.
This was more than five times higher than the local authority rate.
Around 150-200 students do not receive States funding and have not received the emailed survey, but if they would like to take part in the analysis they are asked to contact studentfinance@gov.gg
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