Scotland's higher education minister insisted students should still aim to stay in their term-time digs despite new rules for emergency trips home.
The SNP government's Richard Lochhead was responding to days of anger after young people were told to isolate in shared accommodation while infections soared on campuses.
Some universities slapped draconian penalties on breaches including fines and expulsion while students struggled away from home in communal accommodation.
There are also fears a further national "circuit breaker" national lockdown would trap students who have not left.
Asked if students should prepare now for a harsher lockdown in October, Lochhead told BBC Radio Scotland: "That's not our plan just now, no. We do not have a national lockdown. What we do have is restrictions in place and we're asking students to play their role by sticking to their current student household on their campuses."
The Scottish Government updated its guidance at the weekend after a flood of complaints.
Students can visit their parents if there is a "reasonable excuse" such as a family emergency, but the whole household will then have to isolate.
Those who have been advised to self-isolate can return home if they require help to do so. And students wanting to return home on a permanent basis can do so under existing rules which allow the formation of a new household.
Of the positive covid tests detected last Thursday, more than 43 per cent were in the 15-19 age group alone, data from Public Health Scotland showed.
Lochhead said: "It's a challenging time for Scotland's students, we all recognise that, and it remains our strong message that we encourage students to remain living in their current households because that's the best way forward to prevent the spread of the virus."
The get-out clauses raised concern students will flood home to escape misery on campus.
Lochhead said some want to be at university, adding: "They are enjoying the opportunity of making new connections, of at least meeting their tutors now and again, albeit a lot of their learning is online. I don't expect a mass exodus from Scotland's campuses but the opportunity is there for those who are struggling."
