Police have issued a 48-hour dispersal order for the entire city centre following a number of large gatherings.
The order gives police the power to tell a person engaged in anti-social behaviour, or who is likely to engage in anti-social behaviour, to leave a specified area for up to 48 hours.
It may include confiscation of items such as alcohol and is available to anyone that appears over 10 years of age.
Failure to comply is a criminal offence and can result in imprisonment and/or a fine.
Pat Karney, the council's city centre spokesperson, tweeted: "GMP have informed the Council that a Dispersal Order for 48 hours is in place across the city centre.
"We don't need another rave like Castlefield last night. Too many people think the pandemic is over. Covid cases in GM tell us it's not."
The dispersal order covers everywhere within the inner ring road plus parts of Ancoats.
The order will be in place from 3pm on Thursday 1 April 2021 until 3pm on Saturday 3 April.
It comes after two nights of gatherings that have resulted in large groups of people partying in locations including Castlefield Bowl and Cutting Room Square in Ancoats.
The M.E.N told how hundreds of people joined a rave in Castlefield last night.
Local residents complained that some revellers were urinating in public, smashing bottles and leaving litter.
Police said they were monitoring the gathering throughout the day and officers had tried to engage with those attending but were met with 'hostility'.
Additional officers were drafted in and at around 10pm the rave was peacefully dispersed.
But the Mayor Andy Burnham was among those to condemn the 'trail of destruction' left behind, with the concrete steps in Castlefield left covered in rubbish.
Litter pickers began the clean-up last night and returned this morning to finish the job.
Local councillors have also praised waste collection contractor Biffa whose staff have been working hard to keep the city centre clean this week.
Marcus Johns, the Labour candidate for Deansgate, added: "Andy Burnham was right to call for calm over this weekend.
"We are all in this together.
"We need to keep rates low by sticking to the guidelines like the rule of six and attending our vaccination appointments.
"If we all keep it up, we'll be out of this together too.
"We don't want to see a repeated of last night.
"Let's remember kindness and looking out for each other has pulled us all through the last year.
"I would urge everyone to remember that."
What GMP say:
Inspector Jonathan Shilvock of GMP City of Manchester division, said: "This week we have seen an increase in antisocial behaviour as people gather in large groups and are hostile towards our officers who attempt to engage with them and explain the coronavirus legislation which remains firmly in place even with some of the restrictions now being lifted. People can now meet in a group of six or as two households. Please abide by this legislation.
"This type of irresponsible behaviour causes concern for local residents and has a negative impact within the community. I would like to reassure the public that you will see an increased police presence in the area and our officers will be enforcing the dispersal order where appropriate and issuing fixed penalty notices for breaches of COVID legislation.
"If you have any concerns or questions regarding this dispersal order, please feel free to approach one of our uniformed officers who will be patrolling the area and able to help.
"With the bank holiday weekend and Easter holidays taking place, I would like to remind everyone of the importance of making sure your celebrations comply with the legislation. Please be considerate of others and remember that we are still in the midst of a pandemic, and as we work our way towards the next step in the roadmap it's important we aim to keep virus transmissions to a minimum."
Anyone with information regarding antisocial behaviour in the area should get in touch via the GMP website using the LiveChat function or by calling 101. Alternatively you can report it anonymously to Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111. Always dial 999 in an emergency.
