MINNEAPOLIS — Students at the U of M and Macalester College set to study in China this spring semester are being forced to change their plans due to the Wuhan coronavirus.
U of M spokesperson Jake Ricker confirmed that officials with the University decided to suspend the study abroad in China program after considering recommendations from both the U.S. State Department and the Centers for Disease Control.
Macalester spokesperson Sara Suelflow provided a similar statement:
"Based on the State Department travel advisories, and consistent with college policy, Macalester has canceled those plans."
Minnesota Daily reports that the decision was shared with staff and faculty in an email Thursday. “The health and well being 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,” the email from Campus Public Health Officer Jakub Tolar read.
More businesses and organizations are reacting as the coronavirus outbreak in China worsens. Delta Air Lines has suspended all of its 42 weekly flights to China beginning Feb. 6, and most other major carriers have followed suit.
The World Health Organization has declared a public health emergency over the global outbreak of coronavirus. In total, there have now been 7,834 confirmed cases, with 99% of those occurring in China, health officials said.
