The great evacuation of students from Jesmond begins today, after the government announced an early “student travel window” to reduce the spread of coronavirus to family and friends.

Students from Newcastle and Northumbria University received emails recently to update students that following government guidance universities should move to fully online learning by December 9th, even for those who are currently receiving present in-person lectures.

Mass testing of students has been rolled out across both campuses from the end of November to ensure a safe return to students to their families.

Northumbria University Vice-Chancellor and Chief Executive Andrew Wathey told students: “The government’s guidance sets out a number of expectations of universities, and we are currently making arrangements to meet the expectations laid upon us.

“I appreciate that these new developments may be a little unsettling, but hope that they give you confidence that we are working as hard as we can to ensure you are able to go home to your families for Christmas in the safest possible way and return for the new term in January,” he added.

Jesmond’s permanent residents may be happy to see quieter streets throughout December, but the early student exodus could also affect local business.

Gez Davidson, who runs Cafe Bar One on Jesmond Road, told JesmondLocal: “We’ve sort of noticed already the area getting quieter, so I think it is no secret really that those students who were able to, have probably already gone.

“We’ve noticed that die off a lot earlier than things usually do die off for Christmas,” added Davidson.

During term time, students make up a significant proportion of Cafe Bar One’s customer base.

“We would always have a lot of students in here working,” Davidson said. “When we had the pavement café outside, even when numbers were restricted inside, we had a lot of students sitting outside.

“Those same people have continued to come down and use the café to takeaway, so yes, we will definitely feel the hit when the students go for sure.”

Others are less certain the earlier departure of students will affect businesses significantly.

Katherine Cockburn, owner of Gourmet Gifts on Acorn Road, told JesmondLocal: “They normally leave mid-December anyway, and so obviously what happens for me is when they leave mid-December it frees up all the parking spaces around my street.

“When [students] leave in mid-December normally, it allows the residents and people who come from maybe Ponteland or Gosforth to park.”

“I’m only guessing, but I do feel the parking often puts people off and I think when the students go it’s pretty obvious that the streets are a lot emptier so it encourages people to come in,” said Cockburn.

If you need more information on the student travel window, or COVID testing available to students, visit the Newcastle University or Northumbria University inquiry pages.