Towson Suspends Some Study Abroad Opportunities Over Coronavirus

TOWSON, MD — As Towson University students embark on spring break March 15 to 22, some have had a change of plans. The university canceled spring break study abroad trips amid concerns over the new coronavirus.

The university announced this week it has suspended all spring break and summer study abroad programs.

In addition, TU's Study Abroad Office has reached out to all spring semester study abroad participants about their status, according to a statement from the university.

It has created a Towson University coronavirus page for updates.

On Feb. 29, Towson University recalled nine students studying abroad in Italy as well as faculty and staff from the country who were there for the spring 2020 term. Rather than returning to campus, they were instructed to go home to their personal residences, self-isolate for 14 days and contact a health provider before being permitted to return to campus.

"All TU Study Abroad students will be fully supported by the Office of the Provost to ensure the completion of their coursework of study," the university said in a statement.

On Feb. 26, Towson suspended all upcoming university-sponsored and university-related travel to Italy and Japan for spring 2020, out of an abundance of caution.

It will not recall faculty, staff or students already abroad in Japan for the spring 2020 term, a decision the university said was based on Centers for Disease Control and Prevention guidance.

The university suspended university-related travel to China for the spring semester Jan. 30.

University officials say their decisions have been informed by guidance from the U.S. Department of State, Administrators of Institutions of Higher Education and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

"The health and safety of our students, faculty and staff remains our primary concern," Towson University said in a statement. "We know that the outbreak and spread of coronavirus is concerning to all members of the Towson University community both at home and abroad."

See Also: 3 Have New Coronavirus; MD Governor Declares State Of Emergency

Globally, more than 96,000 people have been infected and over 3,200 people have died from the new coronavirus, Johns Hopkins reported Thursday morning. More than 80,000 cases of the new coronavirus are in China, while the United States has had more than 150 confirmed cases to date. At least 11 people in the United States have died from the new coronavirus, 10 of them in Washington state and one in California, CBS News reported Thursday morning.

The new coronavirus spreads between those closer than 6 feet apart through respiratory droplets when a person who is infected coughs or sneezes and the droplets get into the mouths or noses of others, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.