USC students studying in South Korea, Italy recalled due to coronavirus

Tourists wearing protective masks visit Venice on Feb. 25, 2020, during the usual period of Carnival festivities which were cancelled due to a coronavirus outbreak in northern Italy. (Credit: Andrea Pattaro / AFP / Getty Images)

by: Los Angeles Times

Posted: Feb 25, 2020 / 08:58 PM PST

Updated: Feb 25, 2020 / 09:31 PM PST

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Any USC students studying abroad in South Korea or parts of Italy affected by the coronavirus outbreak are required to return home, university officials announced Tuesday evening.

“The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has issued a Level 3 travel advisory for South Korea, which advises against all non-essential travel,” USC officials said in an email obtained by The Times. “As a result, we are requiring students to leave … and we are working actively with them to make arrangements to travel back to USC.”

Students in the Veneto and Lombardy regions of Italy — which have seen a sudden surge in infections — are also required to return, while those studying elsewhere in the country are encouraged to stay in close contact with their program administrators in case the situation changes.

“Your safety, well-being, and ability to continue your studies and other activities remain the highest priorities for the entire leadership of USC,” the administrators said in the email, sent at 5:19 p.m.

Read the full story on LATimes.com.