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Shaoxing University in Shaoxing, East China's Zhejiang province. [Photo/usx.edu.cn]

Several universities in Shaoxing, East China's Zhejiang province have recently called on students from middle or high-level COVID-19 risk areas to stay at their schools rather than return to their hometowns during the upcoming Spring Festival, in an effort to decrease the risk of COVID-19 spread.

According to preliminary research conducted by local education authorities, as of Jan 18, about 100 college students in Shaoxing were from middle or high-level COVID-19 risks areas.

Zhang Wentao, a freshman at Shaoxing University, decided to stay at the university to celebrate the Spring Festival. He said that it will be the first time for him to celebrate the Chinese New Year holiday outside of his hometown, but that his parents supported the decision.

Zhang is from Shijiazhuang, North China's Hebei province. As of now, the number of COVID-19 cases in his hometown has surpassed 710.

Zhou Shihe, another freshman at Shaoxing University, also made the same decision, saying that it was safer for him to stay in his dormitory to celebrate the Spring Festival rather than in his hometown, since his village was in lockdown.

Ye Weiqiang, deputy director of the department for students' affairs at Shaoxing University, said that the university will provide sufficient living supplies for students choosing to stay at university for the Spring Festival.

Ye added that supermarkets, libraries, and canteens at the university will remain open to students during the Spring Festival.