Chinese universities assisting int'l students amid coronavirus outbreak

Chinese universities in different provinces of the country are supplying face masks and food for international students amid the coronavirus outbreak. 

The supply of essential commodities is low due to the Lunar New Year holiday in the country. On Monday, the Chinese government extended the holiday, across the country, to February 2 – in a bid to control the outbreak by reducing the potential for massive gatherings of people. Thus, students are finding it difficult to buy daily essentials.  

Nipun Biswas, a Bangladeshi student studying at Jiangxi University of Finance and Economics in Nanchang, said, "Four Bangladeshi students, including me, reside in the university dormitory. The university authority is supplying us with food and masks and the international office is constantly monitoring the situation."  

Khondoker Rafiul Alam, another Bangladeshi student at the same university, said, "Everything, thus far, is under control. Please pray for us." 

Imani Afki, a Moroccan student at the university, expressed her gratitude to the university for its efforts in keeping the students safe and secure.  

The university instructed all its students to wash their hands frequently, limit going outside, and wear face masks. 

Additionally, the universities are also monitoring the students' temperatures.  

Around 500 Bangladeshi students are reportedly stuck in China's Wuhan province. Bangladesh's government has made all the necessary preparations for the return of the Bangladeshi citizens, however – to contain the spread of the virus – the Chinese government has prevented everyone from leaving the country in the next 14 days. 

No Bangladeshi student, as yet, has been infected with the virus. 

Considering the situation, State Minister for Foreign Affairs Md Shahriar Alam, on Tuesday, requested the Bangladeshi citizens comply with every directive of the Chinese government – to combat the outbreak.

The deadly virus has already spread to 17 countries and the death toll has risen to 132 – with nearly 1,500 new cases reported in China today.

Chinese companies are working overtime to produce enough face masks amid soaring demand caused by the outbreak, The Guardian reported.