International school trips for P.E.I. students cancelled over coronavirus fears

The two out-of-country school-sanctioned trips abroad for the month of March have been cancelled because of concerns over COVID-19, P.E.I. school officials announced Tuesday.

The cancellations include a school trip to Europe for the March break period. There are currently no international trips planned for the French Language School Board.

Brad Trivers, minister of education and lifelong learning, said he knows students will be disappointed, and hopes the trips can be rescheduled at a later date.

"Safety is our primary concern," he said in an interviewon CBC News: Compass.

Trivers said Island families and students planning personal trips over March break are encouraged to visit the province's website for up-to-date important information about COVID-19, including updates and instructions for those travelling.

Stay home if feeling symptoms

He said Island students and school staff returning from trips abroad who are feeling well can return to school. Those who may not be feeling well and are experiencing symptoms such as fever, cough, or difficulty breathing are asked to stay home and contact 811 for instructions.

There are currently no confirmed cases of COVID-19 in the Atlantic provinces.

On Monday, New Brunswick's Department of Education said students and chaperones who have returned or will return from international travel must avoid public schools for two weeks from the date of their return.

Trivers said P.E.I. will continue to take its cue from the Chief Public Health Office when it comes to monitoring COVID-19and any protocol to shut down schools should anyone get the virus.

Zoe Pineau, a Stratford mother of four, said she thinksthe P.E.I. government should be following New Brunswick's lead.

Pineau saidshe may not send her kids back to school after March break for 14 days as a precautionary measure.

"I think people are very concerned about over-panicking and it's almost causing people to not do anything," said Pineau.

"I don't think people should panic and freak out. If it's going to spread here, it's going to spread through travel. So in order to slow it down, number one cutting down on unnecessary travel would be a good idea and number two, if you are sick or if you have travelled, then you should stay home for a little while afterwards."

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