People travelling from mainland China or Iran are banned from entering New Zealand (file photo).

The Government's travel ban on people from coronavirus-hit mainland China is a political decision that isn't justified by public health considerations, the University of Auckland claims.

The university last week announced a freeze on hiring new staff as it attempts to address the financial impact of the travel restrictions.

Vice chancellor Stuart McCutcheon said student numbers at the university have dropped and it now expects its revenue to fall by more than $30 million in the first semester.

He said about 2000 students from China who were expected to enrol at the university in 2020 can't enter the country to begin their studies because of the travel restrictions.

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The overall financial damage to the university was likely to be "significant", spokeswoman Lisa Finucane said.

ROSS GIBLIN/STUFF Minister of Health David Clark says the bans have played a key role in keeping COVID-19 out of New Zealand for so long.

It was too early to address whether the Government should consider providing financial support to the tertiary sector, she said.

"We would much rather the government immediately and progressively removed the ban which in the university's view is a political decision not justified by public health considerations."

The World Health Organisation said travel bans during health emergencies are ineffective in most situations.

But Health Minister David Clark denied the ban, which also covers travellers from Iran, was based on political, and not public health, considerations.

It was "based on expert health advice", he said.

"These restrictions have played a key role in keeping COVID-19 out of New Zealand for so long, and have given us time to better understand the disease and ramp-up our preparations.



"The decision to introduce travel restrictions was not taken lightly. We are reviewing these restrictions every 48 hours – but now is not the time to step back from our approach."