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Gonzaga Recalls Its Students From Florence Campus Due To Coronavirus

Courtesy of Gonzaga University

Students enrolled in the Gonzaga-in-Florence program have been asked to return home because of reports of coronavirus in Italy. University spokesman Pete Tormey reports no students have been exposed, but the university is acting out of caution.

"For the safety of our students, faculty and staff, we made the difficult decision to suspend the program. Along with a number of universities in Florence, we are concerned that by remaining in Florence, our students may be at risk of in-country quarantines, restricted travel and limited access to basic services," Tormey said.

He says students there are currently on spring break, but officials are making every effort to contact them with the message to return home. He says the university will eventually determine how the students' education will continue.

"They've started their semester already in Florence, so we'll work with them on an individual basis to finish the course work they've already begun. We'll finish that with distance learning or other means."

Gonzaga has posted a statement about the issue on its website.