STUDENTS at a university forced into lockdown after a surge in Covid cases are still organising illegal raves on social media despite record death rates.
University of Manchester students are using secret codes and guest lists to host the illicit parties despite national lockdown restrictions and the coronavirus death toll hitting a new high of 1,610 yesterday.
Parties advertised on social media are set to take place at Oak House halls of residence in the student heartland of Fallowfield, south Manchester.
Police were previously called to break up raves attended by hundreds of revellers at the flats last September, before 1,700 students were placed into self-isolation when more than 100 tested positive for Covid.
But despite the outbreaks and only a fraction of students being allowed face-to-face tuition under the current lockdown, more raves are being plotted with secretive rules and guest lists to stop them being shut down.
A private Instagram group called ‘oakhousemassive’ claims to be organising new raves and features footage of people crammed into student flats and DJs playing at previous parties.
The group then provides step-by-step instructions to acquire a code for groups of 10 to gain access to the party.
Organisers claim to have security at the raves and that party-goers will be vetted to check they are students before the events.
Revellers are told to message organisers on Instagram before being given a group name and number to verify on Snapchat – a messaging app which automatically deletes messages after a few seconds.
The location of the rave is then given to the guest list on the night.
Organisers boast: “The way we are running this, if you are invited, you will not be waiting around outside for more than five minutes.
“So anyone hanging around outside the front door has either got the location from someone, or has stumbled upon the event.
“Either way, they won’t be let in. Good luck everyone, we hope to see you soon.”
National lockdown rules state Brits should not leave their homes or mix with people from other households, except for work and other essential purposes.
The University of Manchester has moved most lectures online during the national lockdown and advises students to stay away from campuses unless taking part in face-to-face classes.
Students studying subjects including medicine, dentistry, veterinary studies and teacher training are still attending lessons as normal with social distancing.
The University of Manchester was at the heart of a Covid outbreak in the city shortly after students started the academic year last September.
More than 500 staff and students tested positive for the virus as Manchester became a national hotspot and was plunged into Tier 4 restrictions.
Students protested as they were ordered to stay inside their flats and security fencing was erected outside their accommodation to stop them leaving.
The fencing was eventually removed with the university saying they had only been installed to manage entry and exit points.
New national restrictions look set to last until at least March with Prime Minister Boris Johnson working on plans to allow families to socialise by Easter.
There are fears schools could be shut until Easter, with universities also looking set to remain closed until at least their summer terms.
The University of Manchester has been contacted for comment.
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