The test and trace system should have been prepared for potential coronavirus outbreaks in universities

Editorial: The inconvenient truth for the government is that all roads lead back to the glaring absence of the ‘world beating’ system promised by Boris Johnson

A student wearing a face mask passes through the University of Glasgow campus (AFP/Getty)

Britain’s universities are now on the front line of the battle against coronavirus, following outbreaks in several institutions after students returned for the new academic year. In Scotland, students have been told not to go to pubs and restaurants or socialise with members of other households this weekend. UK ministers have confirmed it might be necessary to tell students not to return to their family home this Christmas so they do not unwittingly become super-spreaders who put older relatives at risk.

The development is hardly a surprise and yet, like this month’s return of schools, appears to have caught the government off guard and behind the curve – not least in ensuring adequate testing capacity. This government often seems to lack a basic ingredient: common sense. Although it insists it has been working closely with those in higher education to ensure a safe return, some academics claim the government was warned about the risks this summer, and still cut the universities adrift.

The Scientific Advisory Group on Emergencies (Sage) told ministers the prospect of a major outbreak this month was slim, advice that might have been overtaken by the recent rise in infections. It added: “A critical risk is a large number of infected students seeding outbreaks across the UK, influencing national transmission … Peak health impacts of these new infections and outbreaks they spark would coincide with the Christmas and new-year period, posing a significant risk to both extended families and local communities.”

Students have a duty to act responsibly in light of the worrying surge. As in the wider community, a small minority will not do so. A yellow and red card system for those who repeatedly flout the rules, as introduced in Scotland, would be a sensible way forward for students throughout the UK. Ministers should resist the temptation to deflect blame from their mistakes by stigmatising students, as they have already done by criticising people for breaking the rules or demanding tests without having symptoms.

Normal university life is incompatible with social distancing; for those living away from home for the first time, the social side is an important part of the experience. Many universities have tried to become covid-secure by keeping lectures online but most want to continue to offer tutorials for smaller groups. Although a predicted drop in the number of overseas students failed to materialise, institutions fear demands for people to pay lower tuition fees. They see a financial crisis looming and know they would not be first in the long queue seeking government bailouts.

Some universities have started to set up their own testing systems. Although there are many other pressing demands on NHS test and trace, it should find a way to work with academic institutions and local authorities to ensure adequate testing is available on campus.

The inconvenient truth for the government is that all roads lead back to test and trace and the glaring absence of the “world-beating” system promised by Boris Johnson. The latest figures show that only 28 per cent of in-person test results were received within 24 hours, compared to 33 per cent the previous week. A quick turnaround is vital to control the spread of the virus. The proportion of close contacts of those who have tested positive for Covid-19 being reached by NHS test and trace is still below the 80 per cent target.

It is all very well for Rishi Sunak, the chancellor, to say that we must learn to live with the virus “and live without fear”. But, as the universities are the latest to discover, that is very difficult without a properly functioning test and trace system.