Skip to main content

Union leaders concerns by Covid-19 risk as universities begin new academic year

UNION leaders in Scotland raised concerns today about the risk of further Covid-19 outbreaks as universities begin a new academic year. 

Scottish representatives of the National Union of Students (NUS) and University and College Union (UCU) said that they remained worried about the effect that returns to campus could have on students and staff. 

Figures published last week by the Office for National Statistics (ONS) suggest that one in every 75 people in Scotland has coronavirus, but only half of all young people are fully vaccinated and campus returns in 2020 contributed to the spread of the virus. 

Unions now say that they are hopeful that some normality be restored but, with higher case numbers this year, the potential for infections spreading remains high. 

NUS Scotland president Matt Crilly told BBC Radio Scotland the nature of dense student housing increased the risk of transmission. 

UCU Scotland official Mary Senior said: “Given how exponentially higher the cases are at the moment, I really don’t think we can be surprised if we are going to see outbreaks in student accommodation.

“We do need real caution in terms of returning to campus.”

OWNED BY OUR READERS

We're a reader-owned co-operative, which means you can become part of the paper too by buying shares in the People’s Press Printing Society.

 

 

Become a supporter

Fighting fund

You've Raised:£ 13,288
We need:£ 4,712
3 Days remaining
Donate today