A UNIVERSITY staff member says they are concerned about returning to campus after footage of a student party breaching coronavirus guidelines was posted online.

The short clip, which was put on video and picture sharing site Snapchat, shows a group of youngsters partying who are believed to be Essex University students.

In in there are about 30 in close proximity breaching the Rule of Six brought in to prevent the spread of Covid-19.

It had been captioned as “Meanwhile in uni of Essex” as well as “UoE Act 1 Scene 1.”

The concerned staff member said: “Essex University management are burying their heads in the sand over staff safety concerns.

“Now we have to deal with students like those in this video, coming into our place of work and risking infecting us to provide some semblance of a normal on campus student experience.

“I feel like a canary in a coal mine right now.”

Gazette:

A spokesman for the university said they were confident the video was not shot at their Colchester campus but said they were warning students about their behaviour.

“Having reviewed the footage, we don’t believe this is on our campus, however, we remain alert to the potential for student parties and are encouraging our students to act responsibly,” he said.

“We are at the start of the term and students are adapting to university life in very unusual circumstances.

“They have all been asked to sign a pledge to say they will act responsibly, observe social distancing and respect the health and well-being of others both on and off campus.

“We have extra patrol staff working on our campuses responding to any issues as they arise and reminding students about the promise they have made.

“We will take action against any students who repeatedly ignore our guidance.

“We would urge any staff who are concerned about returning to campus to get in touch with their line manager, so we can agree a way forward.”

The university is offering anti-body testing to students and staff returning to campus who are not showing symptoms of the virus.

Results are yet to be verified or released.

Five students linked to the elite sports programme had tested positive for Covid-19 and were following Government guidelines by self-isolating.

They did not live on site at the Wivenhoe campus.

Assistant Chief Constable Andy Prophet has previously urged people not to socialise in large numbers and warned fines would be issued if necessary.

He said: “Our approach has been, and will continue to be, engaging with the public, explaining the regulations, and encouraging people to do the right thing.

“We’ve found that approach has been really successful.

“Where it is absolutely necessary, reasoned conversations have failed, and it’s right to do so, we will issue people with fines.

“The compassion, resilience, and determination from the community to keep each other safe has been outstanding and is important to getting us through these unprecedented times.”

“Our job is to protect and serve the people of Essex, catch criminals and keep you safe.”