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Student exchange company is slammed for ‘irresponsible’ begging letter asking Australians to take in quarantined Chinese teenagers – even though it could expose their own families to coronavirus
- Appeal to host families to temporarily take in students returning from China
- Looking for hosts who could house students under-18 who needed to self-isolate
- Request for help from student exchange company sparked anger from hosts
- Global Experience says the aim was to find out which hosts were willing to help
- Do you know more? Email kylie.stevens@mailonline.com
A student exchange company begging host families to take in Chinese students returning from the coronavirus-stricken nation has been branded ‘irresponsible’ for putting Australia’s health at risk.
Families were shocked to receive an email from Global Experience last week, requesting assistance to host students aged under-18 in the coming weeks who need to be in isolation for 14 days.
The email supplied to Daily Mail Australia claims the Department of Education was seeking help in finding families who could provide temporary accommodation for students before they return to school and their permanent hosts.
A student exchange company issued an appeal for host families to temporarily take in students aged under-18 returning from China (stock image)
‘We understand this request may be difficult to consider for you and your families,’ the email states.
‘Your kindness and respect is appreciated for these students, as they would like to continue their studies in Australia as soon as possible.’
The email stressed the students aren’t from Wuhan or Hubei province – the Chinese epicentre of the virus which has claimed more than 3000 lives worldwide, including one death in Australia.
Students were expected to self-isolate in their rooms, not spend time in public and requested to wear a mask when in shared areas of hosts’ homes.
It comes as the number of confirmed coronavirus cases in Australia grew to 29 on Monday.
The startling email angered a previous Sydney host with three young children, who described the request as horrific.
One host contacted Daily Mail Australia to express their outrage and described the request a as irresponsible for putting Australia’s health at risk (stock image)
‘I was distressed that they were willing to put my family and the country at risk,’ the anonymous host told Daily Mail Australia.
‘It’s irresponsible to put the public at risk like this.’
Requirements for students’ temporary stay include a private bathroom for their exclusive use and three meals a day brought to their room.
Families would be paid up to $390 per week- around $100 more than the normal rate, the Sydney host claimed.
‘Even if they tripled the amount, the fact they’re offering more money to take in the students in and want us to put food at their door as if they’re an animal makes it worse,’ they said.
‘It’s not about the money, it’s about keeping everyone safe, especially for those who have young children.’
The email requested assistance for hosts to temporarily take in students returning from China
Global Experience chief executive Sonia Ortega claims the response from host families has been more positive than negative.
‘We’re not forcing any families to take in these students,’ she told Daily Mail Australia.
‘All we’ve done is contact families to find who is willing and in a position to host.’
‘We’ve received a few angry emails and we understand the concerns and fears they have. But we’ve received emails for many families who are more happy to help.’
Daily Mail Australia has contacted the NSW Department of Education for comment.
Out of the 29 confirmed cases in Australia, 15 have recovered while remaining patients are in a stable condition, according to the government website.
Students returning from China are requested to self-isolate themselves for 14 days
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