U of M cancels student travel to Italy as virus cases rise
[KSTP-TV]
The University of Minnesota is the latest to join local schools taking precautions due to the rise in confirmed COVID-19 cases.
In an update Sunday, university officials said they have decided to suspend student travel and study abroad programs in Italy for the spring semester.
"Major factors were the raising of both the U.S. Department of State’s travel advisory and the (U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention) CDC’s travel health notice to a Level 3," a statement on the decision read.
Officials said although there have been no confirmed cases of the virus at any of its campuses, they ask those who experience a fever, cough, diarrhea, or shortness of breath to consider "staying home and away from school or work to prevent spreading it to others."
Friday, the University of St. Thomas announced it is closing its campus in Rome for the remainder of the spring semester due to the rise in confirmed COVID-19 cases in Italy.
University of St. Thomas announces Rome campus closure in midst of rising virus cases