University of Pittsburgh tells students in 3 countries to return home, stay away from others

The University of Pittsburgh has notified 41 of its students studying in Italy, South Korea, and Japan that “they should return to their home communities in the United States and practice social distancing for 14 days after they arrive.”

Pitt already had canceled or changed the venue for all spring and spring break programming in China after the U.S. Department of State issued a do not travel advisory for the country, effective through April.

In a post it its website PittWire, the university said, “Pitt is also working with students who may be prevented from returning home during summer break. Staff from the Office of International Services have been in communication with this affected group and are working with others across the University to address potential visa, housing and dining needs, as well as other support students may need. With the global situation changing constantly, staff are remaining in close touch with the international student community about what needs may emerge.”

“Our students’ health, safety and security are our top priority, and we encourage international students to seek guidance from the Office of International Services and their designated immigration specialist,” said Ariel Armony, vice provost for global affairs.

Duquesne taking similar action

Pitt’s most recent announcement comes at a time when Duquesne University is making plans for American students at its Rome campus to return to the United States.

Duquesne cited a notice by the Centers For Disease Control and Prevention on Friday evening that raised the caution level against travel to Italy because of the growing coronavirus threat.

None of the 59 American students at the Italian campus has fallen ill, according to a university spokesman.

The Associated Press notes that Italy has reported 888 cases of coronavirus, the most of any country outside of Asia, while CNN reports at least 17 deaths in Italy have been attributed to the virus.

Cases in Italy “have been associated with travel to or from mainland China or close contact with a travel-related case, but sustained community spread has been reported in Italy,” the State Department said in its related travel advisory. “Sustained community spread means that people have been infected with the virus, but how or where they became infected is not known, and the spread is ongoing.”

Like Pitt, Duquesne is working with students to make travel arrangements and cancelled a planned spring break trip that was to have left for Rome on Saturday morning.