Coronavirus outbreak: Nepali Embassy in China advises students to contact special hotline numbers

BEIJING, Jan 28: The Embassy of Nepal in China has set up a special hotline in five cities of coronavirus-hit China to provide immediate help to the Nepali students living there. 

China has placed a veritable lock down in several cities of Hubei province–the epicenter of the outbreak where most cases have been confirmed–including Wuhan, and suspended plane, train and bus links to the capital of the province in its effort to contain the deadly coronavirus that has already claimed 106 lives since its outbreak last month, with more than 4,500 infections confirmed and another 7,000 cases awaiting confirmation. 

The first case of death outside Hubei was confirmed in Beijing on Monday.

Despite the lock down, the coronavirus, which is believed to have originated from a wild animal market in Wuhan, has already spread to more than a dozen countries, with 50 cases confirmed outside China.

Thailand has reported 14 cases of coronavirus infection; Hong Kong has eight; the United States, Taiwan, Australia and Macau have five each; Singapore, Japan, South Korea and Malaysia each have reported four; France has three; Canada and Vietnam have two; and Nepal, Cambodia and Germany each have one.

There have been no deaths outside China.

Thousands of foreigners have been trapped inside Wuhan, a city of 11 million people, as the capital has turned into a ghost town with streets deserted and hospitals overwhelmed. 

The embassy, issuing a circular on Tuesday, has advised the students living in Hubei province and Wuhan to contact the helpline 027-87122256 and 027-87811173 provided by Hubei Foreign Affairs Office if they have any issues regarding food, water, medicine and other essential supplies.

The students can also contact the embassy hotline 15750720069 in case of any help. Besides, they can also contact the embassy on 15701285763 for consultation, stated the embassy.

The Foreign Minister of China Monday had briefed the embassies in Beijing on China’s effort to contain the spread of coronavirus outbreak.

“On the occasion, I met the Chinese authorities and held consultation regarding the safety of Nepali students. I have made a special request to the concerned bodies to provide necessary help to the Nepali students living in Hubei and Wuhan,” stated Ambassador Lila Mani Paudel. 

“The Embassy is in regular contact with the concerned authorities of the Nepal government and the Chinese government. We assure that we are making every effort for the safety of the student of Hubei and Wuhan.”