WINCHESTER university students will be able to travel home to spend Christmas with their families after the lockdown ends on December 2.

But the city’s students will have to comply with the current national restrictions by staying in their term-time accommodation throughout the four-week shutdown.

From December 3 to December 9 they will be allowed to travel home on staggered departure dates set by universities.

The travel window will mean students can undertake journeys having just completed the four-week period of national restrictions, reducing the risk of transmission to family and friends at home.

The government says it will work closely with universities to establish mass testing capacity.

Tests will be offered to as many students as possible before they travel home for Christmas, with universities in Covid hot spots given priority.

If a student tests positive before their departure they will need to remain in self-isolation for the required period of ten days.

A post on Winchester University’s social media said: “Following the end of the current lockdown, a ‘student travel window’ will take place from 3 December to 9 December to facilitate students travelling home for the Christmas period.

“Staggered departure dates will be allocated to each university to manage pressure on transport infrastructure. The travel dates for Winchester students will be confirmed shortly, as we continue to work with local public health officials & other local universities.

“For the moment, the restrictions currently in place state ‘if you live at university, you should not move back and forward between your permanent home and student home during term time’.

“In line with Government guidance, we will be required to move teaching online from 9 December to the last day of Semester on Friday 11 December. We will confirm shortly exactly when the University will move to online teaching.”

The government's announcement will be welcomed by the thousands of students at Winchester University and those at the Winchester School of Art, run by Southampton University.

Universities are expected to work with local public health officials and transport operators ensure students can travel home safely at the end of term.

A government spokesman said: "Students should follow the travel guidance, which includes wearing face coverings unless exempt, avoiding busy routes and times, and limiting car sharing with only their household or bubble where possible.  

"We are working with the other governments across the UK to ensure that all students are treated fairly and can travel home as safely as possible to keep all our communities safe.

"Universities have also been asked to provide additional help and practical support to students, particularly for students who remain on campus over Christmas, which can include care leavers, international students and students estranged from their families.

"Universities should ensure they are properly cared for and can access affordable food, medical and cleaning supplies if needed."