Exeter University student households still can't mix

Ban goes on till Saturday

University of Exeter students are still being asked not to mix households indoors in a bid to tackle the spread of coronavirus.

Even though cases linked to students at the university have been dropping, it has extended the indoor household mixing ban until 26 October in a bid to drive down infections further.

Mike Shore-Nye, registrar and secretary at the university said: “We know from our close working with Public Health England that the measures we have introduced and the fact that our colleagues and students have responded so well have been a major factor in our regions being placed in the ‘medium’ (lowest) rather than ‘high’ risk level with no further restrictions introduced at this time.

"We continue to discuss the data and the underlying picture with our PHE colleagues and we are hopeful that we now see signs that the numbers of cases are no longer rising. This is due to the efforts of all of you in adhering to the guidelines and in doing so showing respect and compassion for all members of our local communities.

“If we can establish a clear trend in the reduction of cases associated with the university then we can hope to reduce these restrictions and increase the amount of teaching and activities we are able to deliver on campus. To achieve this we must all continue to follow the covid-19 rules.”

He added: “We are working with the Students’ Guild and Athletic Union to begin the reintroduction of covid-safe indoor sports activities next week, if we see no evidence of an increase in positive cases. We are also asking students not to join sports teams based in the community at this time, to further reduce the risk of community transmission.”

Dr Virginia Pearson, Director of Public Health for Devon has today welcomed the continued reduction in student cases in Exeter but had warned of the need for extra vigilance across the city and the rest of Devon. “The pattern in Exeter has shown a successful reduction in student cases with no sign of significant spread thanks to the swift actions of the University and other partners in working together to contain the situation. But we must not be complacent,” she said.

“Everyone – and particularly those people of working age – must be extra vigilant about maintaining social distancing, handwashing, wearing face coverings and avoiding social mixing if they can.”