Students at the University of Gloucestershire will now be able to be tested for Covid-19 even if they show no symptoms.
The University is rolling out mass testing for its students in order to send them home for Christmas. Testing will be voluntary, free of charge and will be offered to all students enrolled at the University of Gloucestershire.
The testing will start from 30th November to 9th December to match the window that the Government gave students to go back to their permanent homes for the holidays.
This initiative aims at preventing asymptomatically infected students from spreading the virus to family and friends. They will be given allocated time slots and testing will be carried out in Cheltenham (Park Campus) and in Gloucester (Oxstalls Campus). Students will also be offered the opportunity to take two tests three days apart in the run up to their scheduled subject release date.
This is welcomed by students who have been criticised and blame for the rapid spread of coronavirus this Autumn. Ever since universities opened, Covid-19 cases increased and more than 35,000 positive Covid-19 cases now recorded on campuses in the UK according to the University and College Union.
‘I think it is a good idea because it is an extra safety precaution, meaning we can prevent another lockdown after Christmas so I can have a nice birthday’ says Creative Advertising student Jack Kirk.
Other universities are also following the same approach with the University of Hertfordshire announcing a large-scale asymptomatic testing programme from the week commencing 30 November.
