University cancels Chinese celebrations

Rat year events off in sympathy for virus cases

The University of Exeter have cancelled their Chinese New Year celebrations this Sunday [2 February] due to the coronavirus outbreak.

It comes after it was announced that two members of the same family have become the first people to be diagnosed in the UK.

They had reportedly travelled from China recently, and are now being treated in Newcastle.

More than 200 people in China have died from the virus, with almost 10,000 cases nationally.

A University of Exeter spokesperson said: “We have been discussing the Chinese New Year celebrations with our student community and together we have decided not to go ahead with the events in Exeter this Sunday 2nd February. 

"We have taken the decision out of respect for the Chinese community locally, nationally and internationally where other celebrations have been cancelled or disrupted with ongoing public concerns about coronavirus.

"We offer our full support to our Chinese community at this time and continue to work with Public Health England on any communication and information required on coronavirus.” 

Exeter City Council Leader Phil Bialyk said: “I fully support the University of Exeter in their decision to suspend Chinese New Year festivities in the city this weekend. It is a sympathetic and responsible approach to this global outbreak.”