Robert Morris cancels all study abroad trips as coronavirus spreads

Robert Morris University has canceled all trips abroad out of growing concerns over the spread of the coronavirus, a university spokesperson said Thursday.

“Out of an abundance of caution, we have canceled all study abroad trips planned for the spring semester, including those scheduled to leave in May,” spokesman Jonathan Potts said in an email to the Trib.

Cases of coronavirus — a novel virus causing respiratory and other issues — began rising in countries outside of Asia this week, with positive cases topping 500 and deaths reaching 14 on Thursday, according to the Washington Post. In Iran, there have been 245 confirmed cases and 26 deaths, and South Korea announced 505 new cases, bringing the country’s total to more than 1,700.

“Given how rapidly the outbreak of the coronavirus appears to be unfolding around the globe, and the likelihood of increased travel restrictions and quarantine requirements, we felt this was the prudent course of action,” Potts said.

As of Thursday, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention had Level 3 warnings in place for travelers to China and South Korea, advising anyone with nonessential travel plans to avoid the countries.

Robert Morris had three international study trips planned for its spring break, all of which were set to begin Thursday or Friday: a management class in Japan and Taiwan, a communications class in Paris and a nursing class in Australia, according to the university’s course guide.

Ten others were set for May: South Africa, Serbia, Ireland, England, South Korea, Belize, Turkey, South Africa, Scandinavia and China.

Potts said the university will make sure students who were set to travel receive refunds and other opportunities to earn the credits they would have earned during their time abroad.

The University of Pittsburgh has canceled or changed the location for all spring break programming in China through April, according to spokesman Kevin Zwick. He said the university is also working with students who might not being able to return home during summer break.

Saint Vincent College in Westmoreland County this week decided to withdraw its sponsorship of a spring-break trip to Rome, according to spokesman Jim Berger.

Students can still go to Italy if they choose, Berger said, though it will be of their own accord with no college-sponsored events.

Seton Hill officials said that while they continue to monitor the spread of the virus, May trips to Holland, France, Agentina, Greece, Ireland, South Africa and Italy are still scheduled.

At Duquesne University, spring break travel plans remain intact, and a university-sponsored trip to Italy will go forward as planned, spokesman Kenneth Walters said.

The trip to Rome is “located far from the outbreaks reported in northern Italy,” administrators said in an email to all students and staff sent Wednesday. “(The) trip itinerary has been modified to avoid outbreak areas.”

The trip to Italy — one of five for-credit spring break trips offered by the university — runs from Feb. 29 to March 8.

The email to students noted that no current advisories ban any travel. The CDC’s alert regarding travel to Italy urges older adults and those with chronic medical conditions to consider postponing nonessential travel.

Duquesne’s Rome and Dublin campuses are operating normally, officials said.

At California University of Pennsylvania, spokeswoman Christine Kindl said a spring break trip to Greece is set to go as planned, as are two summer trips to Madagascar and Eastern Europe.

Indiana University of Pennsylvania has fallen in step with the State Department’s “do not travel” advisory for China, according to a release from the university.

“This means that no student or employee is permitted to travel to China on university business,” according to the release.

Megan Guza is a Tribune-Review staff writer. You can contact Megan at 412-380-8519, mguza@tribweb.com or via Twitter .