The Kamloops-Thompson School District is cancelling school trips to Europe over spring break due to the ongoing coronavirus outbreak.
In total, 38 staff and students from Clearwater Secondary, Valleyview Secondary, and Sa-Hali Secondary who had plans to be in various parts of Europe – starting next week – are impacted.
“This move is done out of an abundance of caution,” he told NL News. “This is disappointing obviously for the students, so its not without due consideration and not something we would rush into, but after monitoring the situation after some time, this is the position we were necessitated to take.”
Hamblett says SD73 is working to see if the European trips can be refunded, rescheduled or rerouted.
“Schools and trip organizers will communicate directly with affected students and families about the next steps related to refunds,” he said.
And at this time, a South Kamloops Secondary student trip to Costa Rica will still go ahead as planned however, Hamblett says SD73 will monitor the situation daily and respond to any recommendations made by the Government of Canada.
He says SD73 staff considered a number of factors ahead of cancelling the Europe trip, including the potential that staff and students may be quarantined, either overseas or once they return to Canada.
“We know that these trips are eagerly anticipated and have required extensive planning and support to make them happen,” he noted. “While we regret to have to cancel any planned activities, we see this as a wise and necessary precaution.”
SD73 is also asking parents and staff who are travelling overseas over spring break to monitor any symptoms and quarantine themselves, if needed, once returning to Canada.
“While the current areas of most significant concern are China, Northern Italy, Iran, Japan, and South Korea, impacted areas may change and expand as the situation continues to evolve,” said Hamblett.