Coronavirus forces Assumption to suspend Rome operations

Photo | Grant Welker Assumption College's Worcester campus

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By Grant Welker

Assumption College is temporarily shutting its Rome campus as the coronavirus outbreak has forced cautionary action in Italy.

The campus will close for the remainder of the spring semester, with arrangements being made to bring students back to the United States as soon as possible, the Worcester school announced Monday.

Italy has experienced more than 1,100 confirmed coronavirus cases as of Sunday, according to the World Health Organization, the third highest number in the world. The tally includes 29 deaths, behind only China and Iran.

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention advised avoiding all non-essential travel to Italy. The U.S. Department of State has an advisory against any travel to Lombardy and Veneto, the regions in northern Italy where the outbreak there is worst.

"The safety of our students and faculty in Rome is paramount," Assumption President Francesco Cesareo said in a statement. "This decision was difficult and not one made in haste, rather, it was thoughtfully, thoroughly and exhaustively discussed over a number of days. While we hoped for students to complete the semester in Rome, an unprecedented global health crisis has intervened."

Assumption said it will cover all fees and differences in airfare and reimburse students for travel expenses related to their return to the U.S. Students returning are instructed to self-isolate at home for at least 14 days, a period of time in which they will not be allowed on campus as a precaution against the spread of coronavirus.

Students are being allowed to continue with their Rome courses online.