Around 150 Norwegian students in China recommended not to head home

Around 151 Norwegian students are in China and Hong Kong. Currently, they have been recommended to stay put due to the virus outbreak in Wuhan.

The Norwegian State Educational  Loan Fund provides support to 143 students in China and Hong Kong, according to Nettavisen.

Ansa, an organization for Norwegian students abroad, states that they have 151 Norwegian members. This includes people who are in field work or have an internship abroad.

Students not recommended to return home
“Our recommendation is that Norwegian students in China follow the Foreign Travel Advisory Board and the advice of the Institute of Public Health. We do not recommend our members to head home,” said Hanna Flood, Ansa’s President.

The virus was first discovered in the Wuhan metropolitan city of Hubei Province in China last month. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs advises against travel to the province.

Ansa has not received reports of suspicion of infection among Norwegian students. Flood said the organisation is following the situation as best they can.

“This is a situation that can change from day to day,” she added.

106 deaths
106 people have died as a result of the virus outbreak in China and a total of more than 4,000 have been infected in China. The World Health Organisation believes the global risk is high.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs is monitoring the development and is assessing the ongoing need for any measures, NTB reported on Monday.

Danish authorities announced on Monday that they are trying to get 13 Danes out of the province. It is unclear how many Norwegians are staying there.

© NTB Scanpix / #Norway Today