Council praises first class preparations for safe students return

  • Wednesday 9 September 2020

More Articles

Manchester City Council has praised the extensive plans which have been put in place to manage the safe return of students to the city in the context of the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic.

Around 80,000 new and returning students are expected to arrive in Manchester over the next couple of weeks. 

In recent months detailed preparations have been taking place through the city’s Student Strategy Partnership which brings together the University of Manchester, Manchester Metropolitan University, student unions, Manchester Student Homes, Greater Manchester Police and Manchester City Council. 

A raft of measures have been put in place to manage the safest possible return of students. These encompass both on campus arrangements for lectures, events and those living in halls of residence and in neighbourhoods around the city.

These include:

  • Virtual only events in Welcome Week and a blended model of virtual and small group lectures on campus to reduce contacts.  
  • Clear communications with students on Covid-19 guidelines and expectations 
  • The establishment of a local testing site at Denmark Road Leisure Centre in Hulme, a short distance from campus, which will operate five days a week. There is also scope for mobile testing centres if further capacity is required.  
  • Detailed plans in place to manage any potential outbreak . 
  • Council liaison with businesses and licensed premises in areas with significant student populations, such as Fallowfield and Withington, to ensure they are Covid-secure and be clear about the expectations on them and the potential consequences of not meeting those expectations.

Sir Richard Leese, Leader of Manchester City Council, said: “We are used to welcoming an influx of students but obviously this year is like no other. 

“A great deal of planning has gone into ensuring that the return of students to Manchester is as Covid-secure as possible and that they can have a great experience in our city without putting themselves or others at risk. 

“In particular I want to commend the universities, who have done some brilliant work around communications with students and their own on campus arrangements. They have engaged really constructively with wider planning around off campus elements. They have also shown leadership by making clear to students that while everything is in place for them to learn and enjoy themselves safely, any irresponsible behaviour which flouts Covid-19 restrictions, such as holding house parties while restrictions are in force, will not be tolerated and could have disciplinary consequences. 

“Students are always welcome here and form an important part of the life of our dynamic city. Many stay after they graduate and become proud Mancunians. We want them to feel safe and we also want them to feel part of the community, which means being good neighbours where they are living off campus. As well as working with the universities to communicate Covid-19 safety information, we are continuing our regular work to encourage students to be part of their neighbourhoods.”

Was this page helpful?

Fields marked * cannot be left blank

Feedback submitted to us on this form is monitored but you won’t receive a reply. In an emergency, visit our emergency contact details page. Please don't include any personal or financial information, for example your National Insurance or credit card numbers.