DES MOINES, Iowa - Des Moines Public School has canceled two school-sponsored spring break trips because of concerns over the coronavirus.
DMPS Director of Communications Phil Roeder told WHO-TV that a photography class trip to Italy and a Japanese class trip to Japan have been canceled.
“We obviously don’t want to run the risk. Travel to both of those places is not advised if it’s not essential," said Roeder. "Like so many educational institutions and others, we are being safe rather than sorry and taking what I think is a very prudent step to cancel those."
The DMPS Director of Central Campus says there's a possibility that the Italy trip could be rescheduled.
The district is also advising against families and staff taking spring break trips to countries heavily affected by the virus. And if they do, the district is asking those travelers to self-isolate for 14 days upon their return. Check out Des Moines Public Schools web page on coronavirus here.
The Italian government Monday night extended restrictions on personal movement and public events to the entire country in an effort to stem its coronavirus outbreak. Italy has recorded more than 9,000 coronavirus infections and 463 deaths, well over half the toll for Europe