Students have raised concerns after their university began erecting fences around accommodation blocks.
The University of Manchester has begun putting the measures in place at Fallowfield campus, as the country enters a second lockdown.
The city and the surrounding region has battled some of the highest coronavirus case rates in the country prior to the latest measures.
But students and parents have said that no warning was given about the new measures.
One resident, who wished to remain anonymous, said: “We were not told about the fences being erected and we still don’t have clarity about what’s happening.
“We’ve spoken to the people putting up fences and the management who are overseeing it, and they’re giving very mixed messages, especially regarding how they plan to identify students. It’s not clear.
“It feels extremely authoritarian. especially considering when we all had Covid at the start of term and Fallowfield was the hotspot of a country, all the support we got was some food that was almost out of date.”
Both Manchester universities have had several positive cases amongst students and staff, with Manchester Metropolitan University placing over 1,500 students into self-isolation in late September.
The move also comes as the inquest begins into the death of UoM student Finn Kitson, who was found dead in his Fallowfield halls of residence on October 8.
Concerns have again been raised over the mental wellbeing of students, with green spaces sealed off to prevent household mixing.
The student added: “It’s going to have an awful effect on student wellbeing.
“There’s a huge amount of people saying how stressed they feel, especially when they’re erecting fences on the day that [Finn Kitson’s] inquest is opened.”
The university have apologised for the lack of advance notice given to students, and insists that students are not being locked in.
A spokesperson for UoM said: “In response to the national four-week lockdown we are introducing new security measures at key entrance points to our campus, accommodation and main pedestrian routes to help keep our students, our staff and our community safe.
“A security presence will be increased in these areas and fencing displaying important COVID-19 health messages will be installed.
“This fencing is designed to help highlight main entrance areas, where security staff will ensure that only students who live in that accommodation can access safely and help avoid the mixing of households.
“We understand these are challenging times, and we are extremely grateful to all of our students who are following the guidelines and making adjustments to their lives to help keep our community safe.”
It is believed that the measures had been planned prior to lockdown, with Fallowfield seeing a number of large Halloween parties over the weekend.
The statement added that normal services available to students will continue, with students to be sent an email showing proof of residence.
Students should keep their ID with them at all times to ensure they are allowed in and out of their blocks.
By Callum Parke
All pictures were taken by our anonymous source.