Coronavirus: Scottish Government knew of potential for outbreaks at universities, admits minister

The Scottish Government knew there would be coronavirus outbreaks at universities, but as it was not advised to tell young people to stay at home they were allowed to move into student accommodation, it has been revealed.
Food parcels are handed out by the University of Glasgow to students staying at the Murano Street Student Village. Picture: Andrew Milligan/PA WireFood parcels are handed out by the University of Glasgow to students staying at the Murano Street Student Village. Picture: Andrew Milligan/PA Wire
Food parcels are handed out by the University of Glasgow to students staying at the Murano Street Student Village. Picture: Andrew Milligan/PA Wire

Higher education minister Richard Lochhead told MSPs that advice had been received before universities returned that there was a likelihood of Covid clusters.

But the decision was made that keeping campuses closed “would have inflicted significant harm on them [students] and the wider higher and further education sector in Scotland".

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In a statement in Holyrood, Mr Lochhead also revealed 759 students had tested positive for coronavirus, with that number expected to rise in coming days, However, he was unable to say how many more are self-isolating.

Students from Glasgow University look out of the windows of the Murano Street student village.Students from Glasgow University look out of the windows of the Murano Street student village.
Students from Glasgow University look out of the windows of the Murano Street student village.
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He said: "The advice pointed out the risks and likelihood of Covid outbreaks when the new academic year got under way.

"We were never advised to keep students at home, but we were advised that mitigation factors were vital and we have worked together with colleges, universities, accommodation providers, unions and other key stakeholders throughout this crisis on the safe return of further and higher education.

"Throughout, we have used the best scientific advice available, including from SAGE, in helping us make decisions on balancing the risks."

Mr Lochhead also said "every possible effort” is being made to allow students to return home safely at Christmas and the government is now “exploring the merits of some targeted surveillance Covid testing, to better understand the level of asymptomatic cases of the virus among the student population”.

However, he was slammed by Scottish Labour’s education spokesman Iain Gray for a “gold standard government fiasco” and an “insipid" defence of government actions”. Mr Gray also demanded the government publish the advice it received.

"The truth is that the government failed to prepare a plan properly for students’ return, and then, panicking, rewrote and contradicted their own advice every few hours over the weekend, communicating randomly by press release and tweet," he said. “Universities were left to police the guidance, ever changing, to provide food and to refund rents.

“Now, universities are ordered to provide ‘gold standard support’. Well, this is a gold standard government fiasco just like the SQA results shambles, to which many of these young people were also subjected.

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“Today’s frankly insipid statement will provide little consolation or hope. At least ministers admitted that they got the SQA results wrong, so will the minister admit that he got this wrong and apologise properly to Scotland’s students for that?

“Will he publish all the advice he says he followed, the stakeholder discussions he says he had? And will he promise universities actual financial support now to allow them to support students and to refund rents?”

Mr Lochhead responded saying Covid was a “huge challenge for the students and universities and colleges” and he would “continue to discuss the financial consequences of coping with the outbreaks and indeed the current situation across Scotland, so we're keeping it under review”.

He said: “The guidance for the safe reopening of campuses has been largely adhered to and was published on 1 September prior to the opening of Scotland's universities, which opened earlier than rest of UK."

He said similar approaches had taken place in the rest of the UK and “there were outbreaks in all administrations because we're dealing with a very difficult situation where there are no easy options”. “The approach we've taken is to let people get on with the next stage of their lives and we're doing our best to keep them safe,” he said.

In recent weeks, calls have been made for mass testing at university halls of residence to track the spread of the virus.

Mr Lochhead said surveillance testing was now under consideration by the Scottish Government.

"We remain mindful of clinical advice about the limitations of asymptomatic testing and the need to prioritise our testing capacity in line with our testing strategy,” he said.

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“However, we are exploring the merits of some targeted surveillance testing focused on individual institutions to understand the level of asymptomatic cases."

He said he was "disappointed" to hear of instances where universities or accommodation providers were not adequately caring for students in their halls of residence.

Mr Lochhead said: "Universities and student accommodation providers have a duty of care to their students – right now, this must be their number one priority and I expect them to take every possible step to look after their safety and wellbeing.

“That is why all universities will now provide a stay-at-campus support package for any students self-isolating, and we have asked the sector to ensure that’s gold standard.

“Our key message right now encourages students to remain living in their current households and on campus if they are able to. We are now working together with the sector on the best approaches on how to handle the Christmas break."

He added: “Universities should also look sympathetically at students who have left or want to serve notice on their tenancy and re-apply at a future point. Ministers are urging the sector to apply the utmost flexibility on this point.

“We remain mindful of clinical advice about the limitations of asymptomatic testing and the need to prioritise our testing capacity.

"However, we are also exploring the merits of some targeted surveillance testing focused on institutions which present particular concerns, to understand the level of asymptomatic cases.”

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Earlier, Scotland’s 19 universities and higher education institutions confirmed a package of ten measures to support student wellbeing through the coronavirus pandemic.

The move was to ensure a minimum level of support students can expect, with three measures specifically aimed at students self-isolating or quarantining in university accommodation.

This included “very regular” check-ins, assistance with or the provision of support to ensure food supplies and other basic provisions are supplied, and the provision of cleaning equipment and support with laundry.

The package of measures also includes promotion of hardship funds for students, extra support for those in digital poverty and the inclusion of student representatives in how universities respond to outbreaks.

Announcing the “Consistent Core of Care”, Professor Gerry McCormac, Convener of Universities Scotland, said: “Student wellbeing is always the number one priority of universities, but this has never been more important than now, as we all experience a new spike in this pandemic.

"We have a duty of care to our students to look after them both physically and mentally and we take that very seriously. We hope that this provides greater clarity to students and their loved ones that there is a consistent core to the care and support you can expect if you need to isolate in student accommodation, or if you’re adjusting to a very different student experience.

"We hope this will provide reassurance and empower students anywhere in Scotland, wherever they are from, to seek the help they need from their institution.

“Frontline staff in our universities and in the halls of residence have risen magnificently to the challenge of supporting students in these difficult circumstances.

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"They are key workers in the fight against this virus. University leaders will continue to work closely with staff and student representatives to ensure that these commitments are delivered.”

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