Canterbury's student population has largely vacated the city ahead of the Easter break after a meningitis outbreak prompted the cancellation of in-person assessments and the shift to online exams. The city's pubs and venues, usually bustling with students, have been left unusually quiet.
At The Cricketers pub, manager Ash Bolonghe described a near-empty venue on St Patrick's Day, normally a peak day. Staff had masks and sanitiser ready, having visited one of three emergency antibiotic clinics set up in the city, where 11,000 doses are available. Other bars and music venues reported similar emptiness, with staff focusing on cleaning.
The University of Kent campus, where one of two deceased individuals was a student, was eerily quiet. Long queues for masks and antibiotics on Monday had shortened by Tuesday. Many students packed up early for Easter, some wearing masks, heading to train stations. This exodus raises concerns about the outbreak spreading via public transport.
One 24-year-old female student likened the situation to 'Covid II', noting that many housemates had left. She took precautionary antibiotics after seeing queues. Another student, Stephen, 24, sought antibiotics after attending Club Chemistry on dates linked to the outbreak, criticising the timing of public warnings.
Roland Cobbett, 66, a researcher, also obtained antibiotics as a precaution, praising the swift clinic setup. While some residents expressed concern on social media, many continued daily life without masks. Pauline, 72, a retired tech analyst, noted quieter footfall but said she was 'not in a blind panic'. Those who attended Club Chemistry can collect antibiotics from local clinics.
