IU is canceling all university-sponsored international spring break travel programs because of the COVID-19 outbreak, according to IU’s coronavirus webpage. IU spokesperson Chuck Carney confirmed the cancellation in a Thursday afternoon email.
“We understand that the cancellation of these programs may be disappointing and disruptive, but the health and safety of our students and of the IU community as a whole must take precedence,” the webpage reads.
IU’s previous travel ban restricted travel to China, Iran, Italy and South Korea, which are level 3 travel alert destinations designated by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. This designation indicates widespread ongoing community transmission. Some level 3 destinations have restrictions on travel to the U.S, according to the CDC’s website.
The new restriction on all IU-sponsored international travel includes destinations with CDC level 1 travel alerts, which indicates risk of limited community transmission, and level 2 travel alerts, which indicates ongoing community transmission that is not yet widespread.
The IU webpage lists risks such as exposure to the virus and becoming stuck somewhere due to additional U.S. or foreign travel restrictions.
IU is developing policies to address affected students’ academic and financial concerns regarding these cancellations, according to the webpage. University leaders particularly want to ensure students will be able to make up any missing credits necessary for graduation.
Affected students can expect more information as quickly as possible and will be available on the university’s coronavirus webpage.
IU-sponsored travel within the U.S. is not canceled as of Thursday afternoon.
This story will be updated.
