"It was hard to get food in lockdown," Manchester Met student says

29 September 2020, 09:10 | Updated: 29 September 2020, 11:14

"It was hard to get food," Manchester Met student tells LBC

By Fiona Jones

This Manchester Metropolitan University student returned home after a tough quarantine and told LBC how "it was hard to get food" while she was stuck in her flat.

Students across the UK have been left "trapped" in university halls of residence as the government's lockdown messaging leaves thousands in self-isolation.

With more than 500 cases of Covid-19 being confirmed at roughly 30 UK universities, students are now facing the grim prospect of lonely quarantines.

Outbreaks have left thousands locked down on campuses across the country, some in "vile" conditions, due to a lack of government clarity on whether they can return home to self-isolate.

First year MMU student Lucia is reading film-making returned to her home in Brighton yesterday, "I didn't want to stand another two weeks of that, to be honest."

Read more: James O'Brien questions: "Did universities allow students to return to get money in the bank?"

Student tells LBC of extreme lockdown in Manchester Met uni

"We were one of the first flats having to go into quarantine so we got barely any help from our fellow staff and students. It was very hard to get food, we weren't allowed outside," she said.

The rules of now changed, thankfully, she continued, and students are allowed outside.

Lucia told Nick she plans to go back to Manchester Met uni after lockdown has lifted and work from home for now - she said that many students had returned home, like her, but on the first day lockdown was announced.

Explained: Are students shut in halls allowed to go home?

Manchester students unable to leave halls after Covid-19 cases outbreak

Another Manchester Metropolitan University (MMU) student living at halls placed under a two-week quarantine revealed to LBC the "frustrating" lack of communication over the issue.

He said his flat had been left facing a mound of rubbish which they were told to keep indoors.Dan Johnson, a 20-year-old drama and contemporary theatre student, told LBC how an "absolutely vile" pile of bin bags had been left in the flat's storage room while they waited for a member of staff to collect them.

The Cambridge Halls resident said: "We were told that we can't take the bins down - we were told we have to double bag them and leave them in a cupboard for three days and then someone will come a collect them.

"The smell is absolutely vile - there's 10 of us living in this flat so the amount of bins we have to take out is quite a lot."

More Nick Ferrari

See more More Nick Ferrari

Caller Som has a warning from the past as the conflict between Israel and Iran escalates.

Caller Som has a warning from history as Israel and Iran conflict escalates

LBC callers react to Israel’s ‘risky’ strike on Iran

LBC callers react to Israel’s ‘risky’ strike on Iran

Caller in Israel warns against Iran becoming a nuclear-armed state

Caller in Israel warns against Iran becoming a nuclear-armed state

Caller points out that Israel denied entry to Labour MPs as UK comes under fire for new sanctions

Caller points out that Israel denied entry to Labour MPs as UK comes under fire for new sanctions

Caller Layla

Caller Layla fears for her daughters following Kemi Badenoch's Burqa comments

Caller Barry

LBC caller backs the government's reversal on the winter fuel allowence

Nick Ferrari is unsure about caller Bill's proposal to turn migrant hotels into prisons

Nick Ferrari is unsure about caller Bill's proposal to turn migrant hotels into prisons

Call the Cabinet: Nick Ferrari is joined by Environment Secretary Steve Reed to take your calls

Call the Cabinet: Nick Ferrari is joined by Environment Secretary Steve Reed to take your calls

LBC reaction: 1200 Channel migrants arrive in a single day

LBC reaction: 1200 Channel migrants arrive in a single day

Exclusive
'Elite mindset' and ‘left-wing opinion’ fuelling migrant crisis says Nick Ferrari as he slams government

'Elite mindset' and ‘left-wing opinion’ fuelling migrant crisis says Nick Ferrari as he slams the government

Reform, racism and ‘a perverse Batman’ | LBC’s best callers of the week

Reform, racism and ‘a perverse Batman’: LBC’s best callers of the week

'Farage is a media-made man'

David and Nick debate whether 'tiny and ridiculous' Reform gets too much airtime

Tube worker John

Tube worker shares his close encounters with fare dodgers

LBC callers react to Netanyahu calling out Starmer for being on the 'wrong side of humanity'

LBC callers react to Netanyahu calling out Starmer for being on the 'wrong side of humanity'

LBC callers react as the UK suspends trade talks with Israel

LBC callers react as the UK suspends trade talks with Israel

LBC callers react: UK, France and Canada threaten Israel with sanctions

LBC callers react: UK, France and Canada threaten Israel with sanctions