[Anchor]
The rapid spread of the new coronavirus has also put schools and universities across the country on edge as graduation season nears along with the beginning of a new academic year.
Our Jenna Lee spoke to local college students to hear their concerns in this week's Voices of Seoul.
[Reporter]
A slew of universities here in the capital, including the University of Seoul, have postponed the start of the new semester amid growing worries among students over the further spread of the novel coronavirus.
Chung-Ang University is going as far as putting off a graduation ceremony scheduled for next Friday to this August.
An official at Yonsei University said the school recently implemented a quarantine measure for returning Chinese students to use individual dorm rooms.
Despite these measures, students are still expressing their concerns.
[Clip: Students: 00:32]
"My friends and I have been sharing our concerns in a group chatroom, and there has been a precautionary mood on campus with banners promoting the use of face masks."
"The school is making efforts to inform students on how to better protect themselves but I don't think it's very effective. Also, I think the school should give us assurances that it is only allowing Chinese students that have tested negative for the virus to return."
[Reporter]
Others, meanwhile, expressed optimism, saying the outbreak seems to be getting under control.
[Clip: Students: 00:13]
"If anyone had the virus, they would know and go immediately into quarantine. I trust the airports for that. I hope they will be able to come back if they don't have the virus."
[Reporter]
To keep students safe and ease their concerns, the education ministry said it will create an inter-ministerial task force to manage the international student body in South Korea for returning Chinese students.
Jenna Lee, eFM News.■
<Photo: tbs>
