Thursday's clean-up of Dunedin's Castle St carnage came after news University of Otago students have been partying with an uninvited guest.
That guest was Omicron, which they say they had a bouncer for.
"We've got the QR codes, the vaccine passes - but with the numbers sometimes you can't really do much," said student Jackson Willis.
Now the flats on the street have moved from celebration to isolation, it's all a bit hazy.
"From memory, we were on the street but not actually sure if we were there because the exact locations haven't been posted yet," said isolating student Olivia Swan.
"No one's really sure what's going on."
Dunedin's Castle St orientation week parties have been jam-packed in years gone by. If any events could be COVID-19 super-spreaders, it's these.
"There were lots of people everywhere, everyone was really close together I assume. I think everyone was trying to have a good time getting back into uni," said Swan.
Two nights of partying on the entire street have now been identified as places of interest. Health advice says anyone who partied there last Saturday or Monday nights are asked to take a test and isolate until the results come in.
That's hundreds if not thousands of students just getting into their year at university. They say the messaging is confusing.
"They said the whole of Castle St is a location of interest, but some of us were just walking down the road, some didn't leave their flats on Castle St," said another student.
News of positive cases meant the party on Thursday moved to the city's testing centres.
"We kinda just wanna get some answers and some guidance," said student Ella Johnson.
"One of our friends went to Castle St the other night so we just want to be safe," another added.
But despite the University telling them to get tested, many were turned away - only letting in those who are symptomatic or close contacts.
"Really those people who are symptomatic who have been to those parties, we do really need them to turn up. There is high demand and we really want to test the right people," said Andrew Swanson-Dobbs, WellSouth chief executive.
The University of Otago distanced itself from the information clash on Thursday.
"We have used a variety of communication channels to inform all students that mass gatherings pose a significant health risk and that large gatherings of returning students in north Dunedin at informal social events are a serious concern," a statement said.
A hard thing to stop when it's informal social events the student city is renowned for.
