Ruth Maguire MSP has today welcomed additional guidance published for people living in student accommodation.
While students are encouraged to remain on campus following measures implemented to prevent the spread of coronavirus, those who wish to return home on a permanent basis are now permitted to do so.
Students who opt to do this have been asked to follow self isolating rules, avoid public transport and consider any return hime carefully before acting.
Those who wish to return home for a visit or a short stay are required to follow the Scottish Government guidance on social gatherings with exceptions granted for reasonable circumstances such as a family emergency.
Minister for Further Education, Higher Education and Science Richard Lochhead has written to college and university principals and student accommodation provider networks to set out the new guidance. The updated guidance has been developed in consultation with the National Union of Students Scotland and Universities Scotland.
The SNP MSP for Cunninghame South said: “I’d like to thank students who have stuck with the guidance over the weekend who are considering returning home on a permanent basis.
“I understand that many students find their first experiences of leaving home challenging. In the current climate these feelings of anxiety may be magnified and the prospect of not being able to visit their family and wider support network will have been distressing.
“I hope that the updated guidance will allow students to make an informed decision on their living arrangements as the term progresses.
“If possible, please consider remaining within student accommodation to make the most of your experience in further education within the guidelines as we continue to slow the spread of Covid infections throughout Scotland.”
Updated Student Accommodation Guidance is available to view on the Scottish Government website.
Measures taken to drive infection rates down announced 22nd September are available on the Scottish Government website.
Guidance on seeing friends and family; what you can and cannot do.
On September 24 Universities Scotland published new measures for students to prevent the spread of coronavirus in universities.
Ruth Maguire MSP 