The Ministry of Foreign Affairs will no longer arrange to bring home the Fijian students studying in Wuhan, Hubei in China, because they are safer there. It comes after China’s coronavirus epicentre sees single digits for the first time in weeks.

Acting Permanent Secretary for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Yogesh Karan said they were well-looked after and none of them have contracted coronavirus.

“They (Fijian students) are very well looked after by our Embassy in Beijing and our Ambassador there is in direct contact with all of them and we’ve got a representative also who is doing his PhD in Wuhan City.

“They have been supplied with food, water and have been provided with regular checks and everything is okay as they remain indoors.

“As far as things are now, we have not received any complaints from any of the students there regarding any issues. So far it’s good.”

There are eight Fijian students studying in the epicentre of the coronavirus outbreak.

Two students were earlier quarantined in New Zealand for two weeks last month until they were cleared to return to Fiji

India suspends tourist visas

Meanwhile, the Indian government has restricted all tourist visas till April 15, 2020.

Head of Chancery, High Commission of India in Fiji Sukanta Sahoo said according to the advisory sent by the Indian government, all existing visas except diplomatic, official, UN/International organisations, employment, project visas stand suspended as a precautionary measure for the COVID-19 outbreak.

He said any developments on the issue would be issued via an advisory by the High Commission office in Suva.

Edited by Ranoba Baoa

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