Bermuda College will use remote learning for the first week of the new term because of the threat of industrial action and problems scheduling coronavirus tests.

Face-to-face teaching, scheduled to start next Monday for the first time since the pandemic hit last March, will not go ahead for at least a week.

Phyllis Curtis-Tweed, the Vice President of Academic & Student Affairs, explained the deadlock between the Government and the Bermuda Industrial Union over union decertification votes could result in disruptions that would affect a return to campus.

She added: “Additionally, there are currently difficulties in scheduling Covid tests at the testing facilities.

“We are actively working on the latter issue in order to make provision for the return to campus relative to our Covid screening protocols.”

The college asked students to check their e-mails and the college website for updates.