By Emily Riley

On Feb. 28, the University of Maryland announced that study abroad programs in Italy would be suspended in response to the Center for Disease Control’s report that the condition of the coronavirus in Italy rose to a Warning Level Three, advising that people avoid any nonessential travel to the country. As of March 3, the university also suspended all 2020 spring break and summer study abroad programs.

With at least 22 deaths and cases in 34 states across the United States as of Mar. 8, a necessity to contain students and limit travel led to the suspension of the programs. The university offers 19 different programs in Italy, with dozens offered over spring break and the summer term as well.

Italy is currently the third country to have its program suspended, following China and South Korea’s spring 2020 programs. According to the university’s statement, should other countries be upgraded to a level three or have worsening conditions, their study abroad programs will be suspended as well.

The statement urged students returning from programs abroad in countries with Warning Level Three statuses to “stay away from campus, self-monitor and self-isolate for two weeks post return.” The CDC termed the 14 days prior to travelling an essential “self-monitoring” period to ensure that they didn’t contract the virus while traveling.

The travel ban isn’t just affecting students currently abroad. Emma Kleiner, a sophomore double major in astronomy and physics, had already sent in her application to study in Florence for the Fall 2020 semester when the news broke and is now unsure of what the situation will be like in coming months. 

“The physics department has their own study abroad in Florence in the fall, and it’s only offered in fall semesters,” Kleiner said. 

Although Italy could be safe by the time students leave for the fall program, many have already begun to make decisions for fall semester. With a travel ban still in place, students are struggling to ensure that they’re signed up for the right classes, have found adequate housing and are considering all possibilities for the sake of their health.  

“I can’t really study abroad at a different time.” Kleiner said. “I hope my advisor could help figure something out to get me into the classes I need to be in for that semester – if anything did happen I can’t afford to be behind a semester right now.”

Ellie Williams, a sophomore double major in government and politics and Ffrench, had just committed to a summer study abroad program in Austria when she received the statement that all summer programs would be suspended.

“The work we would have done sounded really interesting and meaningful,” Williams said, now having to look into 9-to-5 jobs to fill her summer. “I can’t say I’ll get even near the same experience I was looking forward to this summer.”

The study abroad office, University Health Center and Chief Communications Officer Katie Lawson director of communications have directed all questions on the current study abroad issue concerning the coronavirus to mediainfo@umd.edu, who were not able to answer any further questions and concerns about the situation. 

According to the CDC, symptoms of the virus are fever, cough and difficulty breathing. While there is currently no treatment, the CDC advises that the safest way to prevent the virus is to wash your hands for 20 seconds with warm water and soap.

There are currently no confirmed cases of the virus at the university.