‘We are appalled’: Liverpool universities release statement on St. Patrick’s Day crowds in Sefton Park

The University of Liverpool, Liverpool John Moores University, Hope University, and Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine have released a joint statement to address the mass gathering in Sefton Park on St. Patrick’s Day this Wednesday.

The statement, which was released to the University of Liverpool News site yesterday, expresses disappointment towards those who partook in the gathering in Sefton Park.

The Universities’ joint statement ends by saying they will continue to work hard at keeping everyone in Liverpool safe, including regular testing and implementing “robust isolation protocols”.

The statement reads: “We are appalled by the reckless actions of those who gathered in Sefton Park in clear breach of the rules that the vast majority of people in Liverpool have been following to help stop the spread of COVID-19.

“While it is not clear who took part in these gatherings, all three universities and the Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine will be reminding students of their crucial responsibility to observe Government guidelines in order to protect not just themselves but the entire community from exposure to the Coronavirus.

“While the rate of infection across the Merseyside region is falling, we recognise there is no room for complacency and we will be reasserting this message in the strongest terms possible.

“We have been very clear in our expectations of our communities and thousands of students have signed up to our Community Pledge, committing to doing all they can to keep everyone safe. When we have had evidence of students contravening restrictions, we have acted.

“We will also continue to do all we can to keep our city safe, which includes regular testing of all students and staff on campus, as well as robust isolation protocols.”

Related stories recommended by this writer:

• ‘They said I was part of a festival’: We spoke to a UoL student fined at Sefton Park

• One arrest and over 40 fines issued at Sefton Park St Patrick’s Day gatherings

• Liverpool Pride has been cancelled for the second year in a row