‘Let us out’: Isolating students hang window protest signs
Students isolating in their university halls have hung signs calling for a refund of their tuition fees.
Students isolating in their university halls of residence have been communicating with the outside world via signs in their windows saying “Let us out” and “Send beer”.
Thousands of students have been forced to self-isolate following a surge in cases of Covid-19 at universities including Manchester Metropolitan, Glasgow and Edinburgh Napier.
One thousand seven hundred people were told to stay in their rooms at Manchester Metropolitan University’s Birley Campus and Cambridge Halls for 14 days after 127 tested positive for the virus.
An email from the university initially asked all students to remove their signs, however, a later tweet from MMU apologised for this.
The university said: “We apologise for the message sent to our students last night about posters in windows, it didn’t reflect the University’s view.
“We respect the rights of students to express themselves, but as requested by @gmpolice the posters must not break the law or they’ll have to be removed.”
Education Secretary Gavin Williamson is expected to make a statement in the Commons on Tuesday.
At least 25 institutions have seen confirmed cases of the virus, according to university statements and local reports.
