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An evacuation-style operation will take place to get students home safely for Christmas after England's lockdown.

The government has told universities to allocate departure dates during a "student travel window" between 3 and 9 December, to minimise the risk of them spreading Covid-19.

Many students will be offered rapid result tests, and teaching must move online from 9 December.

Unions said the plan "leaves little room for error".

Universities Minister Michelle Donelan said the week after the four-week national lockdown in England ends on 2 December was chosen because "students will pose a much reduced risk to their loved ones and their community".
She told BBC Breakfast the timing means that anyone who develops symptoms on 9 December will still "have enough time to isolate and then return home for Christmas".