Into the void

Universities face tough decisions as England returns to lockdown

The prime minister’s pivot to a second national lockdown for England is placing most of the population back under extensive restrictions, after weeks of insistence in the face of scientific advice that a tiered approach would be enough to prevent a second crisis. 

Much less extensive was the instruction given to universities, which were told last weekend they could stay open for teaching but “should consider moving to increased levels of online learning where possible”. Follow-up guidance clarified the government expects universities to continue face-to-face teaching, where it can be done in a “Covid-secure way”.