Temporary Halls restrictions to lift on Monday

Residents were prohibited from hosting guests and parties for two weeks, after over 30 Covid-19 cases were reported

This evening, College announced that the “temporary restrictions” introduced in Trinity Hall are to be lifted on Monday, November 29. 

College have said that this development “is thanks to the Trinity Hall students and staff for their perseverance during the past two weeks”.

“We still encourage you to exercise personal responsibility and please bear in mind that the normal restrictions still apply in the run up to the exam period”, the email continued. 

On November 15, Trinity Hall banned non-resident guests from the complex, as well as parties, due to rising cases nationally and amongst residents. 

Over 30 cases of Covid-19 were reported at Trinity Hall when the restrictions were implemented. 

The ban on guests and parties in Trinity Hall and campus accommodation was removed on November 1 of this year, for the first time since before the pandemic. 

Residents were not permitted to host daytime or overnight guests or hold parties throughout the 2021-21 academic year.

In an email sent to Trinity Hall residents yesterday, the warden Roja Fazaeli said: “I am happy to let you know that Covid-19 positive cases in Trinity Hall have declined notably in the past week, which is a testimony to the sense of community and common purpose here at Trinity Hall.”

Fazaeli said that the temporary measures were to be lifted following consultation with the Trinity Living with Covid Oversight Group. 

From November 29 until the study period, residents are permitted to have external visitors and overnight guests “that are properly signed in”, and “parties are allowed with the advance permission of the Warden”. 

The normal procedures for overnight guests and parties in College accommodation are outlined in the Conditions of Occupancy document and the Trinity Hall Residents’ Handbook for this academic year. 

According to the Handbook, daytime guests at Trinity Hall must leave by 10.30pm. Any visitor remaining after the designated time is deemed to be an overnight guest and “must be signed in at Reception before 10.30pm”.

Guests will not be admitted to Trinity Hall after 10.30pm, unless they are with their host. 

Overnight guests are also usually not permitted “over the Christmas and New Year period, the night of the Trinity Ball and during the annual exam period”, unless advance written permission has been granted. 

Residents may host only one overnight guest at any time, and for no longer than two nights in succession at Trinity Hall, unless special permission is granted. 

College’s treatment of student renters over the course of the pandemic has attracted criticism. In March 2020, when Trinity made the decision to shut its accommodation, residents were instructed to vacate rooms with 24 hours notice, or 48 hours for international students.

Last year, students at Trinity Hall criticised the complex for its strict Covid-19 restrictions and “disproportionate and unfair punishments” when these were broken. Penalties included essay assignments, fines and relocation. Students also complained about Trinity Hall staff members for what they perceived as unwarranted verbal attacks when rules were broken.

Sarah Emerson

Sarah Emerson is currently a Deputy News Editor of Trinity News. She is a Senior Sophister English Literature and Jewish and Islamic Civilizations Student.