Students face a fortnight of online-only teaching if they want to go home for Christmas under plans being considered by ministers.
Gavin Williamson, the education secretary, said at the end of last month that students in areas with high infection rates would need to isolate for two weeks before the end of term.
Under the proposal ministers would ask universities in England to keep students off campus for a fortnight from December 8, The Guardian has suggested. The move is designed to deliver on Boris Johnson’s pledge “to get students home safely for Christmas”.
In some university cities, infection rates are higher among students than locals.
Michelle Donelan, the universities minister for England, is expected to meet university leaders today to discuss the plan.