Falmouth University says it will be working quickly to understand the detail of a new "travel window" from the government which should allow students to travel home for Christmas, following possible mass testing.

Students have been told they will be able to travel home to spend Christmas with their families once the national restrictions end on December 2, following steps set out in new Government guidance published this week.

From December 3 to December 9, which will be known as the ‘student travel window’, students will be allowed to travel home on staggered departure dates set by universities, who will work with other institutions in the region to manage pressure on transport infrastructure.

The Government says it will also work closely with universities to establish mass testing capacity to allow students to go home.

A spokesperson for Falmouth University said: “Universities received the guidance regarding student movement and plans for the end of term this morning [yesterday]. We are pleased that the government has committed to a “student travel window” so students can return home at Christmas, should they want to.

"We will be working to quickly understand the detail of the new guidance and to put measures in place to support our students so that they can maintain the highest quality learning experience and travel safely over the festive period.”

In order to travel home safely, students in England will be required to follow the current national restrictions in place until December 2, completing this four-week period in their term-time accommodation. 

The student travel window will mean students can travel having just completed the four-week period of national restrictions, reducing the risk of transmission to family and friends at home.

Universities have been told they should move to learning online by December 9 so students can continue their education while also having the option to return home to study from there.

Tests will be offered to as many students as possible before they travel home for Christmas, with universities in areas of high prevalence prioritised.

This will provide further reassurance that where students test negative, they can return home safely and minimise the risk of passing coronavirus on to their loved ones.  

If a student tests positive before their departure they will need to remain in self-isolation for the required period of ten days. Moving all learning online by 9 December 9 gives enough time for students to complete the isolation period and return home for Christmas.  

The Government had pledged to ensure students can be with their families at Christmas while limiting transmission of the virus.

Universities Minister Michelle Donelan said: “We know this Christmas will feel different, and after this incredibly difficult year we are absolutely committed to getting students back to their loved ones in time for the Christmas break.

“But I know residents in Falmouth might wonder how students leaving campus, or those coming back to the area, might affect them. I want to reassure everyone that we have worked really hard to find a way to do this for this group, while limiting the risk of transmission.

“With the national lockdown measures, staggered leave times, safer travel guidance and any additional assurances from testing, we are confident transmission can be controlled, and we can enable these students to have the Christmas break they deserve.”

Universities are expected to make plans to ensure students can travel home safely at the end of term, working with local public health officials and transport operators. 

Students are being told to follow the Government’s travel guidance, which  includes wearing face coverings unless exempt, avoiding busy routes and times, and limiting car sharing with only their household or bubble where possible.  

English students at universities in Scotland, Wales or Northern Ireland, should follow the guidance relevant to where they are living before returning home. When they return to England, they should follow their local guidance for their home area. Students returning to their home in England who have not completed the four weeks of national restrictions should undertake at least 14 days of restricted contact either before or after return home to minimise their risk of transmission.

Universities have also been asked to provide additional help and practical support to students, particularly for students who remain on campus over Christmas, which can include care leavers, international students and students estranged from their families. Universities should ensure they are properly cared for and can access affordable food, medical and cleaning supplies if needed.

  The Government has provided over £9 million to leading mental health charities to help them expand and reach those most in need, as well as working closely with the Office for Students to provide up to £3 million to fund Student Space, a new mental health support platform.  

  The department also worked with the Office for Students to clarify that providers were able to use existing funds, worth around £23 million per month for April to July this year and £256 million for Academic Year 2020/21, towards hardship support.