URI Suspends International Travel Over Concerns Of Coronavirus

KINGSTON, RI — Amid growing international and local concerns over the spread of the new coronavirus, the University of Rhode Island has suspended all international travel, effective Monday, until May 1.

University officials are working with study abroad organizers and hosts to bring students, faculty and staff that are already abroad home safely. Anyone who has traveled to a country currently under a Level Three travel advisory will not return to campus. Instead, they will be asked to self-quarantine and monitor for symptoms for 14 days, following the Rhode Island Department of Health and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention guidelines. The university will work with students on a case-by-case basis to ensure returning students can meet their class requirements.

Exemptions can be granted by the provost or department heads for international travel, the university said in a statement. If an exemption is granted, travelers are strongly encouraged to buy refundable tickets and to monitor updates leading up to their planned departure date. The university reserved the right to revoke all travel permissions and exemptions at any time, based on the changing situation.

"We know this is an inconvenience and a disappointment to many who had upcoming international travel plans, but the ongoing uncertainty of the COVID-19 situation in many parts of the world requires us to take the appropriate steps to safeguard our students, faculty, and staff," the statement read in part.

The university suspended all planned trips to and study abroad programs in China at the end of January, when the outbreak was still mostly contained to the region. All seven of the students in China returned home safely and have not developed symptoms, the university said.

At the Kingston campus, students are reminded to wash their hands frequently, wipe down surfaces in dorm rooms with disinfectant and avoid sharing any personal items such as water bottles and utensils.

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