At least eight Nepali students have been infected by Covid-19 in various parts of Australia, according to the Nepali Embassy in Canberra. 

“It has been reported that a total of eight Nepali students have been infected by the coronavirus,” the embassy said in a statement on Sunday. 

According to the embassy, four are from New South Wales, three from Victoria-3 and one from Tasmania. 

“One previously infected in Tasmania has fully recovered and all seven students are doing well and are in quarantine in their respective homes,” said the embassy. “The embassy is closely following up on the situation that has developed here in Australia as a result of the Covid-19 pandemic and has been communicating with the concerned agencies/authorities of the Australian government to address the situation and provide necessary support measures to the Nepali international students, temporary residents and the Nepali community affected by Covid-19.” 

According to the Australian government, a total 3,969 cases of coronavirus have been detected in Australia as of Sunday. 

Earlier last week, the Nepali Embassy in the United Arab Emirates said that two Nepali migrant workers were infected by Covid-19 who later fully recovered. 

Later on Saturday, another two Nepali migrant workers had contracted the virus in the UAE. 

The Nepali embassy in Australia said it has received requests from Nepali citizens for evacuation as well. 

“We have been receiving queries regarding the evacuation of some Nepalis (students, visiting parents and temporary visa holders) who are in difficult situations here and wish to return to Nepal at the earliest possible,” said the embassy. “Considering the ongoing situation of Covid-19, the embassy has been coordinating with the authorities in Kathmandu to manage their safe return to Nepal.”

Published on: 29 March 2020 | The Kathmandu Post