Irreversible crocus of hope

How do universities fare in the government’s roadmap out of lockdown?

“The crocus of hope is poking through the frost and spring is on the way, both literally and metaphorically,” the prime minister told the country during yesterday evening’s “irreversible” roadmap press conference, at which he answered questions on the government’s probably not-quite-irreversible four-step route out of lockdown, published earlier in the day. 

The flowery language and awkward metaphor from Boris Johnson were as expected as much of the roadmap’s higher education content. In summary, students on “practical higher education courses” who would be “unable to complete their courses if they did not return to take part in practical teaching, access specialist facilities or complete assessments” will return to campus from 8 March.