The UK government has announced a “travel window” just after the end of lockdown in England for students to get home for Christmas. The travel window will run from 3-9 December. This excludes students who have tested positive or been notified by the NHS test and trace system.
Universities and HE establishments have been instructed to finish all face to face learning by 9 December in order to “support all students being able to travel home in the window”. Lectures and other learning can then resume online if the provider wishes. Mass testing will be offered to as many students as possible at their University campuses. Each University will announce the place, data and time of the testing.
Universities Minister Michelle Donelan said: ”We know this Christmas will feel different, and following this incredibly difficult year we are delivering on our commitment to get students back to their loved ones as safely as possible for the holidays. In order to support the return home of students in December, we will be utilising lateral flow devices (LFDs) – a clinically validated swab antigen test that does not require a laboratory for processing and can turnaround rapid results within an hour at the location of the test. Testing would have to be completed by the end of term – 9 December.
Cypriot students need to consider the restrictions on entry to Cyprus. Currently anyone arriving from the UK must provide a negative Covid-19 test result on arrival, obtained within 72 hours before travel. Moreover, they must complete a Cyprus Flight Pass before travelling, available on the Cyprus Flight Pass website.
When Cypriot students return to the UK after their Christmas holiday are required to self-isolate in their accommodation for 14 days (as from 4am on Sunday 1 November).
