University Of Minnesota Suspends All Student Travel To China For Spring Semester
MINNEAPOLIS (WCCO) -- In response to concerns over the coronavirus, the University of Minnesota is suspending all student travel and education abroad programs in China for the spring semester.
The university made the announcement Friday and also encouraged anyone with plans to travel to China to reevaluate those plans.
"The health and wellbeing of the U of M community is paramount. With this in mind, we are continuing to monitor the 2019 Novel Coronavirus and implement precautions as necessary. There is still much we don't know about this outbreak and the virus — which the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, as well as health officials in China, are working diligently to better understand," the university said in a statement.
Related: Delta To Temporarily Suspend All US To China Flights Due To Coronavirus Concerns
According to the university, the decision to suspend travel was made in accordance with recommendations from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the U.S. State Department.
Read more on the University of Minnesota's website.
On Friday, Breck School sent out a letter to students and parents saying they are monitoring the spread of the Coronavirus ahead of a language-immersion trip to China in May. Breck senior Aidan Curry has been studying Chinese for 13 years, and is signed up for this trip.
"Last time there was a major outbreak of a virus in China they did cancel the trip at Breck," Curry said, who says she's already taken big steps to prepare for international travel. "You have installments for the money that you pay to go on the trip and we have to submit VISA applications."
She's concerned about the health risk, but she doesn't want it to stop her from going on this highly anticipated trip.
"I really want this trip to go forward, I've been really excited and really wanting to go to China," Curry said.
Since the departure is still far out, Breck School tells WCCO they do not want to cancel the trip yet. A school representative said student safety is a priority and they follow the guidance of the CDC and U.S. Department of Health.
