Exeter University students in ‘targeted lockdown’ after rise in Covid-19 cases

Exeter University students have been told not to meet indoors with anyone not in their household for the next fortnight after a rise in student cases of coronavirus.

This news comes a few days after students expressed concern about the lack of social distancing at an outdoor cinema event and other campus parties.

According to Public Health England (PHE), 58 new cases have been reported in Devon over the past seven days, more than half of which are “attributable to the University”.

It is believed that this rise is due to students who “arrived from their home towns and cities, carrying the infection with them”, according to Mike Shore-Nye, Exeter’s registrar.

He added that “at this stage, there is no evidence of wider community transmission” and that, despite the reports of student parties, “the vast majority of our 25,000 students have behaved impeccably”.

However, after discussions with PHE, Devon County Council and Exeter City Council, the university brought in new restrictions to prevent further spread around the city.

Commenting on the new rules, a female student said: “It does just kind of feel like a local lockdown on students. I can understand it, but in a way it is unfair.”

Another said that “it is annoying that it is just us that can’t continue with what the law is”, while a third added: “They are targeting us, but there is nothing we can do about it.”

We are seeing a continued rise in student Covid-19 cases and, although at this stage there is no evidence of wider community transmission, we are taking further action today in Exeter to control the spread of infection.

– University of Exeter

 

Residents living near the campus have said that the restrictions come as no surprise.

Jonathan Kirby, of the Powderham Crescent Residents’ Association, said: “My reaction to this is, I told you so. No one should be surprised with all these students coming back that there would be contact and spread of coronavirus.

“It was just absolutely bound to happen and you don’t have to be an expert or a super forecaster, data analyst or anything. We could see it coming and it’s here.”

In a statement, the University of Exeter said: “We are seeing a continued rise in student Covid-19 cases and, although at this stage there is no evidence of wider community transmission, we are taking further action today in Exeter to control the spread of infection.

“We have agreed with Public Health England, Devon County Council and Exeter City Council that now is the time to ask students living in Exeter to take significant additional measures.

“This is necessary to avoid further local restrictions, of the type already seen in a number of other universities.

“So, for the next 14 days, beginning today, Monday 28 September, we are asking students who live in Exeter not to meet indoors with anyone who is not part of their household.

“The only exceptions to this are for study, work, organised sport, or in an emergency situation where people are in danger.

“We will keep this measure under regular review. This does not mean that students cannot go out, but they should not socialise in other people’s residences, and outside their current household they must observe the Rule of Six and all other social distancing measures at all times.”