Coronavirus Scare In New York: Marist College Closing Campus In Italy, Orders 163 To 'Self-Quarantine'

Marist College in New York state said Monday it would shut down its campus in Florence, Italy, due to the spreading coronavirus. The school will also force over 150 students into “self-quarantine” after they return to the U.S.

Marist College President Dennis Murray told parents about the decision first in a letter sent out over the weekend.

“This decision presents immediate challenges for the 163 students studying in Italy this semester. Marist is supporting these students in a number of different ways, including assistance with travel,” Murray said. “After they return to the US, we will contact each of them individually to plan their coursework for the rest of the spring semester, either online or through directed study. We are committed to ensuring that all students remain on track for their anticipated graduation timelines.”

The school’s decision comes after the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention upgraded Italy to Level 3 status as the coronavirus continues to spread. This means the CDC is advising people to “avoid non-essential travel” to Italy to avoid possible exposure.

“Do not travel to Lombardy and Veneto due to the high level of community transmission of virus and the presence of local quarantine procedures,” the CDC said. “Large numbers of cases continue to be reported from these regions in northern Italy, which are the source of most cases in the country. Cases elsewhere in the world have also been linked to these regions.”

If anyone has to travel to the region, the CDC advises they talk with their doctors and healthcare providers to properly prepare. Other recommendations include avoiding contact with any sick people, avoid contact with the face if hands aren’t washed, and carry hand sanitizer “that contains 60%–95% alcohol.”

Murray said once the students are stateside, they won’t be permitted on campus grounds until they have completed a 14-day “self-quarantine.” If the students show no signs of illness during that time, they will be allowed back on campus.

Murray also said any students living in campus dorms in Poughkeepsie, New York, should not host any returning students until after the “self-quarantine” was completed.