As the coronavirus continues to spread in China and other countries, including the U.S., some universities in the D.C. area are suspending programs in China and asking students and faculty who are there to head home or return to campus.
And one of the largest study-abroad providers, the Council on International Education Exchange, has suspended all current programs in China.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention raised their advisory for China on Monday to urge Americans not to travel to China for any nonessential reasons. The same day, the State Department also raised their warning level to 鈥淩econsider Travel.鈥�
CIEE in a statement cited the advisories, as well as the fact that the Chinese universities they work with have delayed the start of classes, in their decision to 鈥渟uspend all current programs in China.鈥�
More local coverage on coronavirus
- Testing underway for several potential coronavirus cases around DC region
- Coronavirus: What you need to know
- Sick passenger at BWI didn鈥檛 meet coronavirus testing criteria
They added, 鈥淎t this moment, our worldwide staff is exploring feasible academic options for our current and future students, and will be communicating additional details to both students and home universities very shortly.聽Until all current CIEE participants in China have left the country, our on-site staff will be there to support their health and safety.”
Some area universities are following suit, or taking other steps.
DC
At Georgetown University, administrators have on university-sponsored and -related travel to China. They鈥檝e also contacted students and faculty in China to ask that they make arrangements to head home or to campus. They said they鈥檇 give students and faculty information and resources to leave China, and to 鈥渆nsure academic continuity.鈥�
At George Washington University, officials said they鈥檝e been in contact with students who are in China for the spring semester. They also said that students who are traveling or have recently traveled abroad 鈥渉ave been advised to take precautions鈥� in light of the novel coronavirus, though no one has been recalled.
The university said that anyone who feels sick and has been to Wuhan should seek medical help from the GW Colonial Health Center, but to call first. The number is (202) 994-5300 and someone is there 24/7. If you鈥檙e not sick, but have general questions, they said, ask a faculty or staff member, or a resident adviser or director.
American University has asked all students in China 鈥渢o return to campus as soon as possible and is disallowing travel to China by any member of the AU community for the time being,鈥� a spokeswoman told 海角精品黑料 in an email. She added that eight American undergraduates and one graduate student have been in Beijing. 鈥淎U is working with students to help get them back to campus, including providing some funds for flights,鈥� the spokeswoman said.
Howard University and Catholic University each told 海角精品黑料 they have no students or faculty in China.
Virginia
At the University of Virginia,聽students in China 鈥渨ere advised to depart鈥� on Monday, the day the CDC and State Department advisories were upgraded, a spokesman told 海角精品黑料 in an email. 鈥淎t this time,鈥� he added, the university has 鈥渘o faculty-led or UVA-administered education abroad programs planned for the remainder of the spring 2020 semester in China.鈥�
At Virginia Tech, officials cited the CDC warning in saying on their website that 鈥渦niversity-supported travel to and from China is restricted unless extraordinary circumstances are presented to the Global Travel Oversight Committee.鈥�
Maryland
The University of Maryland is suspending Education Abroad programs in China for undergraduates for the semester, a spokesman told 海角精品黑料 in an email. 鈥淪tudents are being supported in finding alternative academic options for the semester,鈥� he added. for the latest information.
海角精品黑料 will add to this list as we get more information.
