Footage has emerged of students at a top Scots university huddled together during a fire alarm with no social distancing in place.
A student at Edinburgh University’s Pollock Halls shot the footage in the early hours of Saturday morning, September 26.
Footage shows scores of students close together filing back into Lee House at around 2am yesterday.
It came as officers from Police Scotland were called to the same campus on Friday night to break-up a number of parties.
The student, calling themselves @pollockprisoner on Twitter, said of the fire alarm: “It was just crazy because no one tried to keep them socially distanced.
“The residents were made to congregate in mass outside.
"The uni clearly had no plan of action for keeping us socially distanced in a fire drill.”
They now plan to campaign for mental health aid for students at the halls.
Scots scholars have been told to steer clear of pubs, parties and restaurants in a bid to stem a surge in coronavirus outbreaks on campus.
Measures introduced at Pollock Halls include social distancing in dining rooms.
The source told how one of the gatherings broken up by police on Friday night was a ‘pantry party’ with snack sharing at Holland House.
They said: “All 20 of the students at the 'party' were isolating in the household so surely it doesn’t matter if they try and socialise to keep themselves sane?
“Then when the institution is at fault for a massive failure of social distancing, no one was told off.
"We’re being used as scapegoats for the uni failing to prepare for this.”
Police confirmed officers broke up several gatherings in breach of restrictions at Pollock Halls on Friday with no arrests and no fines issued.
A University of Edinburgh spokeswoman said: “Police attended a small number of gatherings at Pollock Halls.
“We continue to support our students and to monitor the situation, keeping our students and staff informed as appropriate, and following all Scottish Government guidance.
"We are providing care and support - including mental health support - to those self-isolating both in University-owned and private accommodation.”
