As the new coronavirus strain has quickly spread beyond China across the world in the past few weeks, Notre Dame officials said in an email they have no reason to believe anyone on campus is at risk, but they provided travel advisories to students in preparation for spring break.
The vice president for student affairs Erin Hoffman Harding, vice president for human resources Robert McQuade, vice president for internationalization Michael Pippenger and vice president for campus safety and University operations Mike Seamon penned the email.
Notre Dame will continue its ban on University-sponsored travel to China and will also now prohibit University-sponsored travel to South Korea, advising against personal travel, the email said.
If the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention raises its risk levels for coronavirus cases in Italy, the email said the University will plan on taking action in regards to study abroad students and University-sponsored travel there as well. In addition, Notre Dame International included an advisory for study abroad students to reconsider traveling to areas experiencing an outbreak or at high risk.
With regards to spring break specifically, the email recommended against traveling to China, South Korea, Italy and Japan.
Although the University does not believe anyone on campus is at risk, officials said members of the greater Notre Dame community have concerns regarding their family and friends in affected areas.
“Our staff in Notre Dame International is working closely with these students to help reduce their concerns,” the email said. “Please offer support should you interact with anyone who is impacted.”
The University will continue to monitor the health risk of this strain of coronavirus and provide updates if recommendations change.
