With India having been removed from the coronavirus red list,UUKI and the wider UK Higher Education sector is feeling a lot more confident that there will be enough quarantine hotel places for international students when they arrive later this year.
UUKI’s director Vivienne Stern has previously highlighted that there was concern about whether there would be enough hotels to meet the demand from students when they arrive, but with India now being placed on the amber list of countries, there will be a lot less pressure on the quarantine system, freeing up rooms.
Stern pointed out that clear communication with students to help them understand what they need to do under current UK quarantine rules will be essential to maintain a good system going forward.
Stern praised the government for listening to what UUKI had to say regarding accommodation within the quarantine system, and that they have left themselves enough room to expand accommodation if the need arises.
UUKI remains in close contact with the government and continues to monitor the situation.
Services will be provided for any student who is quarantining and feels claustrophobic or anxious, according to Stern, who emphasised that this must be highlighted to students before they arrive so that they know what to expect.
Stern also encouraged students to take a proactive approach and get in touch with their universities to figure out exactly what it is they need to do when they arrive, what they need to do before they depart and what will happen after their quarantine period.
International Higher Education 