Students in a University of Sydney-run apartment building are to be temporarily evicted to make room for international students needing to be quarantined when the travel ban imposed after the coronavirus outbreak is lifted.

Key points: International students coming from affected countries will need to stay in isolation for two weeks after returning to Australia

International students coming from affected countries will need to stay in isolation for two weeks after returning to Australia University of Sydney sent an email telling students who live in the apartment building to start packing as soon as possible

University of Sydney sent an email telling students who live in the apartment building to start packing as soon as possible First-year student Sam Johnson said the move would be a "big inconvenience"

Occupants of the multi-storey student accommodation building were yesterday told they will get 48 hours' notice to vacate their self-contained units so they can be used by students arriving in Sydney.

The residents — who are four weeks into their 48-week lease — will be relocated to alternative student housing for up to eight weeks, with the university reducing their rent for the period and covering removalist costs.

"Start packing your belongings as soon as possible to ensure that you are ready for the removalist," the university said in an email to students.

The university said the apartments had been recommended by NSW Health as the most suitable for self-isolation.

People returning from areas with a high concentration of COVID-19 cases — including China, Iran and Italy — have been directed by health authorities to self-isolate for 14 days.

"Prior to your return to your room … the university will undertake a thorough clean of your room and the common areas," the students were told.

Students returning to Australia will only stay in the building for precautionary isolation.

If they are suspected of having COVID-19 they will be moved to a medical facility.

'It's a pretty big inconvenience'

First-year computer science student Sam Johnson has been living in the building for a month.

"I feel sorry for the students in China but I think the university hasn't dealt with this very well," he said.

He said the university should have instead considered renting out hotel rooms for the newly arriving students to be quarantined in.

Mr Johnson said the news had distressed many of his friends.

"[International students] have moved to a completely new country, a completely new culture, they've made their first friends here and suddenly they're all being turfed out again," he said.

"It's a pretty big inconvenience and it's really not going to help with my studies."

The University of Sydney told the ABC it is carefully planning for "several scenarios".

"If the restrictions are lifted, we will need to take steps to keep all of our students, staff and community safe and minimise the risk of transmission — in line with NSW Health advice," a university spokesperson said.

"We're aware that moving would be inconvenient and possibly distressing for some.

"Always, the safety, health and wellbeing of our students is our first priority. "

Some universities offered cash grants to international students who fly to Australia through a third country to circumvent flight restrictions.

Many students spent 14 days in Thailand and Hong Kong so they could be in Australia in time for the academic year.