UD Students Seek Immediate Flights After Trump Implements European Travel Ban
Cover photo of President Trump at a coronavirus briefing from Flickr
Franchesca Hackworth
Asst. Online Editor
As of Thursday at 10 p.m., worldometer reports that there are more than 145,000 coronavirus cases worldwide and 5,423 deaths. The CDC reports that there are 1,629 cases in the U.S. across almost all 50 states and 41 deaths.
The University of Dayton has generally always encouraged studying abroad, but now nearly 80 students are working to book a flight back to the U.S. after President Donald Trump’s Wednesday announcement that nationals from most European countries will be banned from entering the U.S. due to the coronavirus pandemic.
The travel ban will go into effect March 13 at midnight and will prohibit affected travelers from entering the U.S. for 30 days, at least. U.S. citizens will still be able to return to the U.S. but are expected to self-quarantine for 14 days.
UD’s Center for International Programs emailed nearly 80 students Thursday urging them to book flights as quickly as possible in light of the president’s announcement.
“We are now requiring that all University of Dayton students who are currently studying in Europe return home to the United States,” the email stated. “Our strong recommendation is that you try to get a flight that returns home to the U.S. by the end of the day Friday.”
A Google Form also was created for students to fill out once they booked their flight so the university can keep track of the travelers and ensure their safety, university officials said.
The nearly 80 students who are working to find their way home do not include the 13 UD students who were studying in Italy who have already returned to the U.S. The university advised students studying abroad in Italy and South Korea to return to the U.S. due to the coronavirus last week.
Flyer News has been in contact with a few students who are currently in Europe and attempting to finalize travel plans.
Lauren Durham, Flyer News’ assistant arts & entertainment editor who was studying abroad in London, is still in the process of trying to book a flight when we last checked with her.
She tells us she should be able to come home by the end of next week.
In addition to implementing a temporary travel ban, the president declared a national state of emergency during a press conference on Friday.
During his announcement, he also stated that interest on federal student loans will be waived indefinitely as the nation and economy tries to work through the spread of the virus.
UD students are continuously affected by the risks associated with the coronavirus pandemic. From online classes to canceling trips abroad, the virus brings uncertainties to students.
Flyer News will continue to update with new information regarding the status of UD’s students who are abroad in Europe as we hear from them.
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