Students at a top Scots university have been urged to stay indoors this weekend to prevent any coronavirus flare-up.
St Andrews principal professor Sally Mapstone has asked scholars to respect a “voluntary lockdown” and avoid bars and parties from 7pm tonight.
Mapstone stressed the move is a "preemptive" measure as Covid-19 rates surge across the country - with all the university’s sporting and social events also suspended.
In an open message to students she added: “I appreciate that this request will appear to some of you to be premature.
“But a hallmark of this pandemic has been that, as a society, we have acted too slowly in the past, and thousands of people have died unnecessarily as a result.
“Early action saves lives, and we have an opportunity as one community to take action to protect ourselves, and those with whom we share this town.”
“We acted swiftly in March when the pandemic first hit Fife, and the situation we face now is just as serious.”
Among the events postponed over the weekend include those at the Byre Theatre, main library and chapel.
Mapstone added: “I must stress that this is preemptive and proactive action. There is no evidence that the virus is surging in our community.
“Rather it is because as a country we are now in a very fast-moving phase where early intervention is key, and hours make a difference.”
Mapstone vowed to keep the situation “under close review” with further information and intervention from the Scottish Government expected after the weekend.
She added: “Thank you all for your patience and understanding. I know I am asking a great deal of you, but I also know that you will respond positively.
“The sooner we break the transmission of the virus nationally and locally, the sooner we can all return to a traditional university experience.”
