LIFT OF VISITORS BAN: MIXED REACTIONS TRAIL ANNOUNCEMENT

 

In 2021, because of the spread of Covid-19 and in a bid to curb the rate of the transmission of the virus among students the university put certain measures in place. Incoming freshmen and returning residents of QEH II were greeted with a row of ceramic washstands by the hall gate. The number of students in a room was reduced as well; a four-man room became a two-man room, and a six-man room became a three-man room. 

An internal memorandum was released on March 27, 2021, to inform students that visitors were not allowed to come into the hall of residence to prevent the spread of the COVID-19 virus within the halls of residence.

 

Recently, a new memorandum was passed across that students could begin to receive guests from 4 PM to 10 PM on weekdays and 10 AM TO 10 PM on weekends. This news was met with mixed feelings as several queenites celebrated the news. However, Queen Elizabeth II Hall released her own rules stating that visitors were allowed till 8 PM; a rule slightly different from what was released by the University. 

This development satisfied the wants of some Queenites as they no longer have to sneak their friends in.

“I think it’s very good that queenites can now have visitors.” Glory said, “I’m not particularly inclined towards visitors, but being able to bring your friends to the hall without having to sneak them in and worry about fines is a favourable development. I just wish they would extend the time at which they locked the gate. It’s too early.”

The lift of the visitor’s ban also included permitting male visitors to enter the hostel. It is still not known if the hall will allow that because the hall management has not released any statement concerning that.  Mbath explained that she does not care about the ban being lifted. “I value my privacy,” she said. “Also, I don’t know if boys would be allowed into the hall.” She believes that the hall closes much too early and is inconvenient. 

Others have expressed their displeasure at the fact that the time the hostel gates are locked has not yet changed despite the memo making rounds amongst students. The hostel management has however stated that they maintain their concerns about the safety of the students resident in the hall. 

Kayode, a 200-level student said she does not believe that it is okay to close the Hall at 10 PM. “For security and convenience,” she said, “the time can be extended till 11; for the sake of those who have activities that extend beyond that period.”

It is up to the hall management if they want to listen to the varying opinions of students but the rule that has been changed is allowing visitors in and only female visitors for now.