Reports this morning have suggested that students currently self-isolating at Manchester Metropolitan University will be allowed to return home.
Professor Malcom Press – Vice-Chancellor at Manchester Metropolitan University – apparently spoke with BBC Radio Manchester today, confirming that “students self-isolating are allowed home and parents can pick them up”.
It comes following widespread conversation, coverage and criticism after around 1,700 students were sent an email by the university last Friday telling them they must self-isolate in their accommodation for 14 days.
This was in a bid to help contain an outbreak of coronavirus (COVID-19) at the University.
It’s believed that 127 positive cases were confirmed in connection with both the Birley campus and Cambridge halls of residence.
ADVERTISEMENT
Some students residing within the aforementioned accommodation however were reportedly caught by surprise at the announcement and apparently only found out about the need to self-isolate when they encountered security guards at the gates who told them they were not permitted to leave.
This then raised questions among members of the public and legal commentators online as to what authority MMU or Manchester City Council has to impose such measures.
ADVERTISEMENT
Geograph / Gerald England
Manchester Metropolitan University officials have previously stated that following the short-notice instruction to self-isolate for 14 days, they are “unable to prevent our students from leaving the halls”.
They did however urge students to “do the right thing”.
In the statement published on the Manchester Metropolitan University website on Sunday, Vice-Chancellor Professor Malcom Press said: “I recognise the impact that this situation is having on our students, particularly given the extremely short period of time we had to inform them of the decision.
ADVERTISEMENT
“Many of them are away from home for the first time and still finding their feet. Their welfare is our top priority and that is why we have been working hard with organisations around the city since Friday evening to put in place support to help during this 14-day period.
“We are urgently preparing a care package which we hope will ensure students will have the essentials they require in halls, plus financial support to assist them through this challenging period.
“We expect students to follow the guidance for self-isolation set out by the Government and Public Health England and our staff are on hand 24 hours a day to provide support, guidance and deal with concerns.
“We are unable to prevent our students from leaving the halls, but our students are bright young adults and we trust that they will do the right thing.”
Manchester Metropolitan University
David Regan – Manchester’s Director of Public Health – has also previously confirmed to the MEN that the ‘lockdown’ at the Birley and Cambridge halls is currently optional.
ADVERTISEMENT
He said: “We have currently not used any legal measures to enforce the additional requests,”
“We hope our students can understand the rationale for these actions and will support us in helping to contain infection and reduce further spread either amongst the students themselves or into the wider community. The rising weekly incidence rate and increase in the number of COVID hospital admissions at the Manchester Royal Infirmary reinforces why this is so important.”
Mayor of Greater Manchester Andy Burnham also said that he is “keeping a close eye” on developments at MMU and has reportedly spoken to police to check “everything is in order”.
Superintendent Chris Hill of Greater Manchester Police’s Manchester city centre divison added that they “will continue to work with MMU and local authorities to engage with students and offer advice surrounding the re-opening of universities and staying safe in the current climate” and they understand that “this situation provides a number of challenges for all involved”.
It was also announced yesterday that Manchester Metropolitan University has moved all first and foundation year learning – including all lectures, seminars and classes / workshops – to online and virtual instruction only.
ADVERTISEMENT
In the meantime, any students self-isolating will be permitted to return home to continue isolation with their families.
The Manc has contacted Manchester Metropolitan University for comment.
News
The Japanese takeaway with a Michelin-trained chef serving a secret omakase menu out back
Georgina Pellant
Good sushi is a hard thing to find in Manchester nowadays. To be honest, ever since the demise of Umezushi, it has felt out of reach.
Average sushi, however, is suddenly available in abundance thanks to an explosive proliferation of trendy, if soulless, Pan Asian restaurants.
You know the sort. The spots with the claggy, dried-out rice on ostentatious platters, whose chefs stuff cream cheese into the middle of their maki, or disguise its lack of freshness with cascading waterfalls of dry ice.
These spots, with their fake flower walls and neon signs that scream “Pick me!” seem, depressingly, to be taking over. So it’s with relish I can reassure you at least one place in Manchester city centre is doing its bit to remind us what real sushi should actually taste like.
Image: The Manc Group
Image: The Manc Group
Even better, it’s entirely missing the gaudy flamboyance of Manchester’s glitzy Pan Asian sushi scene – so if, like me, you’re not into superficial sushi, you should feel right at home here.
I’m talking about One Sushi, formerly known as Ikkan – a tiny Japanese takeaway shop on Oxford Road filled with little more than a few wooden counters and a cash desk topped with metallic maneki-neko, or beckoning cat.
Opened last year by the team behind China Buffet, a popular Chinese restaurant in the heart of Chinatown, its takeaway cabinets are stuffed with California and red dragon rolls, deep-fried ebi, and various tempting combo platters.
These lovingly packaged takeaway morsels are already considered by sushi fiends in the know to be amongst best in the city, but – whilst they are really good – they are nothing compared to what is coming off the kitchen’s near-invisible pass.
Hidden at the back by a blue flag featuring the One Sushi logo and rolling waves that resemble Japanese ukiyo-e artist Hokusai’s famous Great Wave off Kanagawa print, it’s here that you will reconsider whether you’ve ever really had a good piece of sushi before in your life.
Prepare to be blown away.
The no-frills setup for the omakase, which literally translates as ‘I leave it up to you’. / Image: The Manc Eats
A piece of Otoro tuna nigiri. / Image: The Manc Eats
We’re talking otoro belly tuna, A5 seared wagyu steak (that’s the highest grade you can get), sweet Japanese scallops and prawns, all prepared right in front of you by master sushi chef Eddie who trained at two Michelin star Hong Kong restaurant Zuicho.
All the fish here is super fresh, and the entire style of the menu is down to chef Eddie – meaning he chooses for you, preparing the best of the best from that day.
Priced at £58 per person, Eddie can accommodate up to four people at once for this incredible omakase sushi experience. There’s really nowhere like it in Manchester for this price, in fact the only other place where you can go to experience something like this will set you back at least £200.
For sushi lovers, this is a dream come true.
Featured image – The Manc Group
News
Manchester United confirm Antony will return to training following assault allegations
Danny Jones
Manchester United winger Antony is heading back to training amid his multiple assault allegations.
Antony‘s case is still ongoing, with a total of three women coming out to accuse him of domestic abuse — chiefly, his ex-girlfriend Gabriela Cavallin, who was first to raise concerns surrounding his alleged behaviour — but his cooperation through the investigation has led them to revise their position.
Issuing an update on Friday morning confirming that the forward with be brought back into the fold until the situation is resolved.
A club statement reads as follows: “Since allegations were first made in June, Antony has co-operated with police inquiries in both Brazil and the UK, and he continues to do so.
“As Antony’s employer, Manchester United has decided that he will resume training at Carrington, and be available for selection, while police inquiries proceed. This will be kept under review pending further developments in the case.
“As a club, we condemn acts of violence and abuse. We recognise the importance of safeguarding all those involved in this situation, and acknowledge the impact these allegations have on survivors of abuse.”
Erik ten Hag‘s side plays their second game against Crystal Palace in less than a week after beating them 3-0 in the Carabao Cup on Tuesday and while it is not thought Antony will be brought straight back into the team, he will be available for selection moving forward.
United currently sit ninth in the Premier League with three wins and three losses to their name.
The Manc -
29th September 2020 
