Lakeside students try to quarantine their Chinese flatmate amid coronavirus scare

Warwick University has told students allegedly exerting pressure on flatmates returning from Wuhan that doing so is “unacceptable and will not be tolerated.”

In an email seen by The Warwick Tab, the University explains “students cannot be prohibited from returning to their residence once they have passed checks at UK airports.” The University has also prohibited all university-related travel to China’s Hubei province.

A student in Lakeside accommodation told The Warwick Tab her flatmate had travelled recently from Wuhan to GuiYang “half an hour before the city was blocked” and was planning to make her way back to the UK.

“We want her to promise us she’ll quarantine herself for 14 days after coming back from China,” she said. “Many of us are worried and want to raise awareness, but the University is being ignorant to us.”

Stock image credit: SWNS

The new guidance sent to students advises students to contact the NHS if they start feeling unwell. The email also instructs students to remain in their rooms and away from public spaces if they begin to experience symptoms.

The email also says: “The University notably has taken the decision to prohibit all university-related travel to affected areas, including but not limited to, Hubei province, China, for our staff and students.

“Please note students cannot be prohibited from returning to their residence once they have passed checks at UK airports. Exerting undue pressure on a student to prevent them from returning to their residence is unacceptable and will not be tolerated.”

The University of Warwick has been contacted for comment.

Stock featured image via SWNS

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