Machibet LiveCovidiot students still organising illegal raves on social media with secret codes & guest lists despite record deaths | The Sun - Machibet Live

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.

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Footage shows illegal lockdown raves held inside university accommodation Credit: Instagram

Dozens of students packed into one flat for this illegal partyCredit: Instagram

More parties are being advertised on social media despite the national lockdownCredit: Instagram

Parties advertised on social media were set to take place at Oak House halls of residence in the student heartland of Fallowfield, south Manchester.

The University of Manchester today told The Sun it has launched an 'urgent investigation' into the matter.

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.

Organisers claims the raves will be staffed with securityCredit: Instagram

Step-by-step instructions are given to gain accessCredit: Instagram

Students are told how to gain an access number for eventsCredit: Instagram

The parties are in breach of national Covid lockdown measuresCredit: Instagram

Revellers are given the location of the raves on the nightCredit: Instagram

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.

Party-goers are warned not to reveal the locations of the parties to othersCredit: Instagram

Organisers boast guests vetted for the event 'will not wait more than five minutes'Credit: Instagram

Videos appear to show parties taking place inside Oak House halls Credit: Instagram

Videos show dozens of students packed inside tiny flatsCredit: Instagram

Full DJ equipment is crammed into the kitchen of one flatCredit: Instagram

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.

A University of Manchester spokesman said: "We were already aware of this issue and have been investigating as a matter of urgency.

"This behaviour is totally unacceptable and the University strongly condemns it.

"We have been clear and consistent with our messaging around student conduct and behaviour in halls and we will be working hard to identify those involved.

“Our students must respect social distancing rules and all other restrictions to keep themselves and others safe.

"If students do not comply, they will face disciplinary action from the University, which could lead to fines or expulsion, and we will not hesitate to involve the police if necessary. Some students have already been issued with fixed penalty notices by the police.

“The overwhelming majority of our students are adhering to the guidelines and, if they’re concerned, they can report anti-social behaviour anonymously via //www.reportandsupport.manchester.ac.uk/report.”