This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-scotland-politics-54285720
The article has changed 8 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
| Version 0 | Version 1 |
|---|---|
| Covid: Scottish university students banned from going to pubs | Covid: Scottish university students banned from going to pubs |
| (32 minutes later) | |
| Students are being told not to go to pubs, parties or restaurants in a bid to stem a spate of coronavirus outbreaks at Scottish universities. | |
| Hundreds of students have tested positive at campuses across the country, with many more self-isolating. | Hundreds of students have tested positive at campuses across the country, with many more self-isolating. |
| Universities have now pledged to make it "absolutely clear" to students that there must be no parties. | Universities have now pledged to make it "absolutely clear" to students that there must be no parties. |
| And they will not be allowed to socialise with anyone outside of their accommodation. | And they will not be allowed to socialise with anyone outside of their accommodation. |
| Students have also been warned that any breaches of the new rules "will not be tolerated". | Students have also been warned that any breaches of the new rules "will not be tolerated". |
| The stricter guidelines were announced after opposition leaders accused First Minister Nicola Sturgeon of a "basic failure" to anticipate the problem and provide more testing on university campuses. | The stricter guidelines were announced after opposition leaders accused First Minister Nicola Sturgeon of a "basic failure" to anticipate the problem and provide more testing on university campuses. |
| Universities Scotland said the new guidance that had been agreed with the Scottish government was a "necessary step at this crucial moment of managing the virus in the student population, to protect students and the wider community". | Universities Scotland said the new guidance that had been agreed with the Scottish government was a "necessary step at this crucial moment of managing the virus in the student population, to protect students and the wider community". |
| The new rules state that all universities will "make absolutely clear to students that there must be no parties, and no socialising outside their households". | The new rules state that all universities will "make absolutely clear to students that there must be no parties, and no socialising outside their households". |
| They go on to say: "This weekend, the first of the new tighter Scottish government guidance, we will require students to avoid all socialising outside of their households and outside of their accommodation. | They go on to say: "This weekend, the first of the new tighter Scottish government guidance, we will require students to avoid all socialising outside of their households and outside of their accommodation. |
| "We will ask them not to go to bars or other hospitality venues." | |
| Extra staff will be brought into student accommodation to watch for any breaches of the guidance and to support students who are self-isolating. | Extra staff will be brought into student accommodation to watch for any breaches of the guidance and to support students who are self-isolating. |
| Police Scotland will also be monitoring student behaviour off-campus and in private accommodation. | Police Scotland will also be monitoring student behaviour off-campus and in private accommodation. |
| And private providers of student accommodation will also be urged to strictly enforce the guidance. | And private providers of student accommodation will also be urged to strictly enforce the guidance. |
| Students will also be required to download the Protect Scotland app. | Students will also be required to download the Protect Scotland app. |
| The guidance warns: "We will take a strict 'Yellow Card/Red Card' approach to breaches of student discipline that put students and others at risk. | The guidance warns: "We will take a strict 'Yellow Card/Red Card' approach to breaches of student discipline that put students and others at risk. |
| "While we first want to advise students about breaches of discipline, we will not hesitate to escalate this to disciplinary action including potential discontinuation of study." | "While we first want to advise students about breaches of discipline, we will not hesitate to escalate this to disciplinary action including potential discontinuation of study." |
| Life for university students was already very different this term. | |
| Most students were already set to learn mostly online, but the university experience is a social one as much as an academic one. | |
| Perhaps the most significant move is to appeal to students not to visit bar or hospitality venues. | |
| Ultimately students who break the rules on campus or in university accommodation face expulsion. | |
| However, universities know they also have to appeal to the individual's sense of responsibility and common sense. | |
| It will still be a big ask. Homesick students won't usually be able to go back inside the family home they lived in until a few weeks ago. | |
| Starting university can be a difficult experience - a student may not like their course or may find it hard to live away from home or make new friends. | |
| This year it will be even tougher so for that reason, it will be more important than ever to consider the wellbeing and mental health of students. |