Travel quarantine; just what effect will it have – on health – on business?

Travel quarantine; just what effect will it have – on health – on business?

“Critics round on No 10 over ‘ridiculous’ rules for 14-day quarantine”

I have yet to see any mention of the effect a quarantine regime will have on businesses outside the “travel and tourism” sectors.

While it is obvious that those sectors will suffer, there are many other businesses, such as Zetland, our student accommodation in Huddersfield, which will suffer from additional barriers on a market already under severe pressure.

Critics round on No 10 over ‘ridiculous’ rules for 14-day quarantine

Tens of thousands of new arrivals to the UK will be able to go food shopping, change accommodation and use public transport from airports during a 14-day quarantine imposed to prevent a second wave of coronavirus, under draft plans to be laid before parliament.

The central problem is the lack of clarity around the effectiveness of the quarantine strategy. It has already become apparent that people under quarantine restrictions will be allowed to use public transport to get to their ultimate destination, and then be allowed to go out to shop and fulfil legal obligations. So how effective will it be?

My personal view is influenced by our position of course. I try to be as impartial as possible but I can’t get past the argument that if the general public are obeying goslings and exercising good social distancing, and in particular if those inbound passengers were compelled to use the ‘test and trace’ app, then they actually represent very little additional risk.

It’s a difficult one for sure.

Universities still can’t say what they’re going to do for 2020/21

Universities still can’t say what they’re going to do for 2020/21

“We can’t yet say what’s on offer in September, UK universities tell freshers”

If you UK universities still can’t say what they’re going to do for 2020/21, it’s unreasonable to expect our potential tenants to make solid commitments.

For the moment, while we continue to receive enquiries, we are finding students cannot be certain about the dates they’ll need accommodation, and are reluctant to commit.

We can’t yet say what’s on offer in September, UK universities tell freshers

Anxious sixth-formers trying to decide which university offer to accept are finding little clear information to steer them, with vice-chancellors saying they are still not able to promise anything like the usual experience of lectures, seminars, nightlife – or even shared kitchen and dining spaces in halls.

Fair enough. These are very difficult times for most, of course, but particularly sectors at all connected with education, and in particular, tertiary education. We feel the best thing we can do is be accommodating and patient.