Purdue University announced Thursday a halt to all university-sponsored international travel over the school’s upcoming spring break.
The statement nods to new guidelines from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention regarding international student travel, adding that the decision was made “out of an abundance of caution.” The ban follows Purdue’s decision earlier this week to cancel university travel to China, Iran, Italy, Japan and South Korea, all countries rated as a level 2 travel advisory risk or higher by the CDC.
“We understand that the decision to suspend international spring break travel will be a relief to some and disappointing to others. As always, this decision was guided by our top priority of the health and safety of our Purdue community,” Purdue Provost Jay Akridge said in the statement, which was released on the university’s new coronavirus update website.
Additionally, students who choose to travel over spring break to one of the countries under a level 3 risk travel advisory are required to self-quarantine for 14 days after they return. Those students must also be medically examined. These steps are “recommended” for students who travel to a country under a level 2 risk.
The statement also cautions students that travel could be suspended in at-risk countries, leaving them unable to return.
The new round of restrictions also follows guidelines sent out this week cutting off invitations to visitors from level 2 and level 3 risk countries, outlining possible remote learning options for students, and advising Purdue employees to start making contingency plans in their departments.