Universities angered by lack of clarity over re-opening

University chiefs in the United Kingdom have urged Boris Johnson to allow students to go back to campuses this month after the prime minister failed to mention their plight in his press conference on Monday 5 April, writes Jemma Carr for the Mail Online.

Johnson confirmed that from 12 April, non-essential shops, gyms, hairdressers, zoos and theme parks in England can re-open – while pubs and restaurants will be allowed to serve customers outdoors. But the prime minister failed to mention anything about university return dates – despite ministers promising to reassess current rules at Easter. Since January, students have been unable to return to campuses or university accommodation unless they are studying for a degree that requires in-person teaching, such as medicine.

Universities UK President Professor Julia Buckingham and the group’s chief executive wrote a letter to the prime minister calling on him to provide ‘urgent’ clarity on what the return date will be. Their letter, reported in The Daily Telegraph, reads: “We are asking for an explanation for this omission and seeking urgent clarification about your government’s plans for student returns and what further steps will be taken to support their education and well-being.”
Full report on the Mail Online site