The Sunday Mail
Norman Muchemwa and Precious Masakara
Parents with children studying in China should stop panicking as necessary measures have been put in place to make sure the children are safe from the highly contagious coronavirus (COVID-19), Chinese Deputy Ambassador to Zimbabwe, Zhao Baogang, has said.
Deputy Ambassador Baogang made the assurance Tuesday in Harare while addressing parents of students studying in China.
The parents organised the meeting with the Chinese Embassy in Harare to get an update of the prevailing situation in China following the outbreak of the coronavirus more than two months ago.
According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), over 90 000 people have been infected with over 3 000 succumbing to the deadly virus.
Coronavirus has since spread to all the continents with Africa being the least affected after recording only three confirmed cases.
Mr Baogang said to date no foreign student has been affected adding their food is being ordered online.
He said the Chinese government has enlisted the services of psychologists to aid the students with counselling as they are kept in isolation.
“I want to assure parents that no foreign student has been affected by the disease, which was first detected in Wuhan,” said Mr Baogang.
“Students are ordering their food online and it is being delivered at their doorsteps”
“We understand that children miss social life and public gatherings but we have invited psychologists and professors to ensure that they calm them down and we keep them in isolation to avoid transmission of disease.”
The life of foreign nationals in China, he said, is guaranteed adding the best way to deal with the virus is to stay in one place.
“Life can be guaranteed to foreign nationals in China and we promise to keep taking care of them,” said Mr Baogang.
“There are reports that South African President Cyril Ramaphosa wants to withdraw South African students in China and I support him in that move.
“However, the best approach to deal with coronavirus is to stay where you are because if you leave China it becomes more complicated.
“It will lead to exhaustion of resources because these people will have to be tested for coronavirus when they reach their countries.”
Mr Baogang assured parents that the Chinese government will cover all the expenses for students in China but it will be expensive when they get back to their respective homes.
There are about 800 Zimbabwean students living in Hubei province — the epicentre of the coronavirus.
Chinese authorities put the expansive province, which has nearly three-quarters of the 90 000-plus confirmed cases, under total lockdown on January 23 to slow down the spread of the disease.
