Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what discussions he has had with the Secretary of State for Education on what steps higher education institutions should take in preventing the spread of covid-19 infections from 16 August 2021, when the self-isolation rules change, for students recently turned 18 who have (a) had close contact with someone who has tested positive for covid-19 and (b) not yet had two doses of a covid-19 vaccine; and if he will make a statement.

There have been no specific discussions. However, consideration was given to those recently turned 18 years old who will not have been fully vaccinated. We will provide further information shortly.

The Government has recently updated its guidance for higher education providers to prevent the spread of COVID-19 infections, which is available at the following link:

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/higher-education-reopening-buildings-and-campuses