Coronavirus in Scotland: Edinburgh University buy more than £300,000 of laptops so staff can work at home

Edinburgh University Old College building

DOGGED deans are having to fork-out more than £300,000 on laptops as part of their coronavirus emergency planning.

Bosses at Edinburgh University are buying in the equipment so staff can work from home during the outbreak.

The £327,950 worth of kit is being bought under "extreme urgency" protocol only enacted in emergencies like flooding.

"As part of business continuity planning for Covid-19 we have identified the need for additional laptops to enable staff to work from home," reads the procurement notice.

The university last week announced plans to move classes online and cancel some exams by next Monday in a bid to reduce the spread of coronavirus.

First and Second Year exams will be cancelled this year, with some exceptions for professional accreditation.

Exams for those in Third Year and above will be performed remotely.

The university's usual suppliers are unable to meet the huge laptop order and so have suggested an alternative source with delivery expected within a week.

"This is a time critical purchase as we need to provide our staff with the appropriate tools to work from home," adds the notice.

Edinburgh University has been approached for comment.