KILL-JOY Whitehall mandarins have BANNED uni students from throwing house parties or copping off together on nights out.
As scientists warn partying youngsters are behind the Covid spike, teens heading back to campus were slapped with tough new rules.
Students were warned they are “not permitted” to hang out in groups larger than six.
They will be placed in specific ‘households’ with others who live in their same student flat or floor in their halls of residence block.
These can include more than six people.
But students should not bring back anyone to stay over because it would breach the new ban on gatherings of more than six people – effectively barring undergrads from copping off.
The usual Freshers Week booze-fuelled club nights will be scrapped and replaced with “Covid-secure entertainment”.
All lectures could be carried out on Zoom and students banned from uni buildings if there is a local lockdown.
Youngsters who catch Covid will be banished to their dreary student room and banned from returning to their parents home in case they spread the bug.
Most international students will also have to quarantine for 14 days when they arrive – with food delivered to their door.
Worried ministers fear the return of universities could send Covid rates spiralling out of control.
The new Department for Education guidelines warns the mass movement of students “brings with it a degree of risk” which must be “minimised”.
Undergraduates heading off to university face a totally different experience.
Face masks must be worn in lectures and at uni club socials, while social distancing markings may be laid out in commons rooms.
In a major blow to drama-lovers, students have been told to “avoid cheering our shouting” at plays and concerts, and audiences could be scrapped altogether.
Lectures should take place outside wherever possible, the guidelines say.
Universities Minister Michelle Donelan said: “The safety and wellbeing of university staff and students is our priority.
“Universities have been making a mammoth effort to safely open campuses and buildings to students this autumn, and the Government has worked closely with them to ensure they are well prepared for the return of students.
“The updated guidance includes the recent Sage advice and will help university leaders access the information they need, and assist their existing plans to keep students and staff as safe as possible.”
The slew of restrictions are being brought in after alarming stats showed partying youngsters are behind the Covid surge.
England’s infection rates have rocketed from 12.5 per 100,000 last week, to 19.7 this week.
Among 19 to 21 year-olds – the typical undergraduate age – it stands at a staggering 54.5 per 100,000.
