How can Universities prevent the spread of Covid-19 and remain open?
Few industries haven’t been impacted by Covid-19, but the education sector is certainly one that has been most severely affected. During the first wave, almost overnight, once-busy lecture halls, libraries and even student accommodation were empty. In this new school year, as university campuses have filled back up again, how will a place designed to bring people together to share ideas successfully socially distance?
Initial discussions suggested that fewer students may return to their university towns in the autumn as the university experience would be drastically different. However, this was not the case. Deferrals for this year only rose by 2%, which is an average yearly increase. Instead, there was a 19% increase in students deciding to cancel their deferred year and start study this autumn. This means campuses are just as busy as normal and need to continually be made Covid-19 secure to prevent the spread of the virus and protect both the local communities and student and staff.
Data and capacity control
Areas such as libraries and lecture halls used to be filled to the brim with students. However, as part of reopening, universities spaces like this will have to be changed to allow for social distancing and a smaller number of people. Lecture halls and seminar rooms which used to be packed full of students could be left empty at many universities. Many universities have chosen to put most, if not all, lectures online. Only allowing students to come in for small seminar groups and practicals which require students to be in labs.
Lottie, a final year student at Nottingham University said:
‘All lectures and seminars are online now, with no option to attend in person. We are allowed to go in for practicals as vet students but this is in full PPE and house groups for younger students.’
Other universities have reduced the size of their lectures to allow students to attend lectures in person if they wish, with additional precautions put in place.
Eve, a first year student at Bath Spa University mentioned:
‘We are allowed to attend our lectures in person but we have to sit socially distanced and wear a mask. They are also streamed online for anyone who prefers to stay at home.’
Communal spaces such as the library and cafeterias are harder to manage as students used to regularly flow in and out of these areas. Booking systems for libraries and gyms will allow students to still utilise these spaces but do so in a controlled and safe manner.
‘There is almost nobody around on campus, if you want to go to the library you have to pre-book an hour slot, if you turn up without a slot you get turned away.’
Harry, a final year student at Southampton University.
Booking systems are a good first step towards opening communal spaces. However, if real-time data is utilised alongside these solutions then students are able to use the spaces more effectively, while still preventing overcrowding and reducing the risk of Covid-19 spreading. Implementing solutions such as the tested.me app would allow individuals to check in and out of a location in an easy and frictionless way, helping universities effortlessly manage the flow of students around the campus.
Physical solutions
As well as utilising technology, universities will need to use physical solutions as part of their Covid-19 prevention protocol. One-way systems can be set up around the campus and buildings as well as enforcing that all those who aren’t medically exempt wear face masks while moving around inside spaces and when unable to socially distance. Additionally, in study spaces and lecture halls clear plastic dividers can be set up to allow students to study in separated zones and providing sanitising stations which can be used before and after using a desk.
‘Not a lot has changed around our campus, we have to wear masks to enter buildings and some places like the library and gym are closed.’
Eve, first year student at Bath Spa.
‘We have a one way system set up around the Vet school and all of our exams will be done online rather than in person.’
Lottie, final year student at Nottingham University.
The installation of thermal scanners can help prevent the spread of the disease by identifying individuals who have a temperature, one of the common signs of Covid-19. When this information is used in combination with technology, individuals and universities have better control over preventing the spread of Covid-19.
Testing
Effective and timely testing when someone displays the symptoms of Covid-19 is vital, preventing outbreaks within households, accommodation sites and even entire campuses. Universities are an environment unlike most, with new households being formed at the beginning of each year, often with people who have never previously met.
Eve, a first year student at Bath Spa University said:
‘A girl in my flat started to display symptoms so I am currently isolating as this is the university’s policy. People are definitely a bit annoyed about isolating and I think they would have preferred she got a test done privately rather than through the university so we didn’t all have to isolate.’
Some universities have taken testing even further, such as Southampton University where rapid at home testing is being trialled. Saliva samples are collected using a non-invasive method on a regular basis and all participants are given the results within 48 hours. Through regular testing the university hopes to keep infection levels in Southampton low and give confidence to the local community as well as students and staff.
Harry, a final year student at Southampton University told us about the testing programme:
‘They’ve sent us lots of spit tubes with stickers to label them and bags to enclose them in. We then get texts when they want us to do a test, this is usually about once a week. Once we have done the test we drop it at a Dropbox on campus and get the results the next day. It is really good.’
Protect Privacy
While implementing new procedures to protect the health of local communities, staff and students are extremely important, these should not mean sacrificing privacy and control over personal data. As highlighted, technology will form an important part in the efforts to suppress Covid-19 and therefore ethical data companies should be utilized. All personal data that individuals input into their tested.me account remains in their control, meaning they can delete the data at any time and know it will never be sold onto third parties.
https://dfemedia.blog.gov.uk/2020/06/12/student-deferral-rates/
https://www.southampton.ac.uk/news/2020/09/saliva-phase-two.page
https://universitybusiness.co.uk/sponsored/6-ways-to-ensure-a-safe-return-to-campus/
