Dozens of Dunedin students have quarantined themselves, and many more have been left with their studies in limbo, as the deadly coronavirus outbreak continues.
As of yesterday afternoon, more than 1100 people had died from the outbreak, which began in China’s Hubei Province.
The outbreak prompted New Zealand to close its borders to any foreign traveller coming from, or transiting through, mainland China.
All travellers arriving in New Zealand from China, or any travellers who have had exposure to a confirmed case of coronavirus — now officially called Covid-19 — were expected to self-isolate for a period of 14 days.
The impact was being felt by education providers in Dunedin.
A University of Otago spokeswoman said 26 students and four staff members who had returned from travel in China since late January were in self-isolation in Dunedin.
‘‘We continue to support them daily and are looking forward to welcoming them out of self-isolation,’’ she said.
There were 224 students from China in New Zealand on visas, and the university was checking whether they were in self-isolation, or needed to be.
‘‘The wider, course implications for these students are still unknown.
‘‘We are keeping our students’ welfare, wellbeing and academic journey at the centre of our response.”
Otago Polytechnic students were also affected.
As of 3pm yesterday, a spokesman said seven students and a staff member were in self-isolation in Dunedin.
None had developed flu-like symptoms.
Forty international students had their plans to study in Dunedin affected, he said.
Of those, 26 international students who had planned to resume studies at Otago Polytechnic this year were waiting to find out when the border would reopen.
‘‘Otago Polytechnic is investigating options that would enable them to come and continue their study or learn online from China. ‘‘However, this is dependent on a range of factors, including governmental directives.
‘‘For example, the longer the border is closed, the less likely this cohort would be able to begin their studies.’’
Another 14 international students had applied to enter programmes at Otago Polytechnic, but did not have visas.
With Immigration New Zealand’s Beijing office closed, they would most likely have their study deferred until semester two, where possible, the spokesman said.
Secondary schools were also affected.
Taieri College principal Dave Hunter said eight international pupils who had arrived from China were self-quarantined for 14 days.
