This browser does not support the Video element.
Temple University bringing students home from Rome amid coronavirus outbreak
Lauren Dugan reports on four Temple University students forced to cut their studies in Rome short due to coronavirus concerns.
PHILADELPHIA - Temple University is bringing home students studying abroad in Rome amid the growing coronavirus outbreak, university officials announced Saturday.
The university made the decision to cease in-person academic operations for the spring semester after the U.S. State Department issued a level three travel advisory — the second-highest level of warning — for the whole of Italy late Friday, saying that the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention had recommended “avoiding nonessential travel.”
“It hasn’t gotten the point in Rome where everyone is wearing a mask and where you go, people are going crazy because we are south of where the two towns were quarantined,” said Temple student Carly Barrist.
School officials asked all affected students to contact the university immediately to begin making arrangements to return home.
Students who spoke with FOX 29 agreed that the university is working hard to help with the unexpected move, but the decision is hurting their wallets.
“We lost a lot of money on flights, not to mention where we were living. We don’t think we are going to get a refund for the missing two months,” said student Ava Gipson.
FULL COVERAGE: Coronavirus
Other major countries have issued warnings for only defined areas of northern Italy where most cases of the new coronavirus are clustered. The national total reported by Italian health authorities exceeded 1,100 on Saturday, the greatest number of any country outside Asia. There have been 29 deaths of people with the virus.
This browser does not support the Video element.
What is coronavirus?
From how it spreads to where it originated, here's a look at everything you need to know about the deadly contagion.
RELATED STORIES:
Villanova students heading home from Italy due to coronavirus outbreak
United Airlines latest to offer fee waivers to Italy amid coronavirus outbreak
Coronavirus: Symptoms, testing and how to prepare amid growing COVID-19 outbreak
Temple Rome faculty members will offer classes online beginning March 9, to avoid interrupting academic progress.
Fay Trachtenberg, interim director and acting dean of Temple University Rome, added that the university can help secure housing for students who wish to return to Temple's main Philadelphia campus.
More information from the school's study abroad program is expected in the coming days.
___
For the latest local news, sports and weather, download the FOX 29 News app.
DOWNLOAD: FOX 29 NEWS APP
___
The Associated Press contributed to this report.