A student dormitory of Estonia’s top higher education institution, Tartu University, where at least four Sri Lankan students are studying, took steps to restrict the movement of its dwellers after at least 16 students were tested positive for the COVID-19 virus.
“We got an email on April 16 with details of the outbreak by the hostel authorities,” Piyara W., a Sri Lankan student at the university in the northeastern European country, said over a WhatsApp call.
“The email stated that some residents on the third floor of Raatuse 22 (the name of the dormitory) have been diagnosed with COVID-19. It advised those with COVID-19-like symptoms to avoid contact with others and self-isolate. Soon the dormitory was put under lockdown,” Piyara said.
Akila Fernando said, “I was scared first. I had the symptoms, thought I had the virus and decided to keep the news from my parents.”
However, when tests were carried out of nearly 300 dwellers, Piyara’s and Akila’s tests came negative.
Piyara said the dormitory authorities took the right initiative by informing the students, carrying out immediate tests and asking them to take precautions, such as social distancing, wearing masks and washing hands. The 16 virus affected students and those who refused to undergo the tests were asked to isolate in one floor.
“We were barred from leaving the dormitory for about three days. But later they gave us permission to leave,” Piyara said.
“However, classes went on as usual for some time until the university shifted all classes to online.”
The Sri Lankan embassy in Stockholm, Sweden, had written to the students for an update. “The Government of Sri Lanka is considering the possibility of evacuating the Sri Lankan students staying abroad on a priority basis determined by the evolving risk factor of COVID-19,” an email from the embassy to one of the students read. As the Sri Lankan government had not decided to arrange an evacuation of the Sri Lankan students from Scandinavian and Baltic regions, it requested students to inform regarding their desire to return home.
Piyara and Akila said they are not expecting to return to Sri Lanka.