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Tourists wearing protective masks walk past the St. Louis of the French church in Rome, Sunday, March 1, 2020. The French community church in Rome, St. Louis of the French, closed its doors to the public on Sunday, reportedly after a priest was infected with a new virus.
AP Photo/Andrew MedichiniUniversities around the country have been taking precautions over coronavirus. The University of Notre Dame is taking steps to protect students and faculty.
The university cancelled its Rome study abroad program Friday after the CDC issued a travel advisory to Italy.
One hundred six students and some faculty who were in Rome are back now. They are required to stay home for 14 days and to be cleared by a doctor.
University spokesperson Dennis Brown said these are preventative measures and there haven’t been any confirmed cases of coronavirus at Notre Dame.
“It is an evolving situation, a lot of fluidity to it. We are continuing to monitor the national and international landscape, keeping apprised of what the CDC and state department are recommending.”
Brown said the university is keeping a close eye on other places students are studying, like Japan.
The university also strongly discouraged students from traveling internationally during spring break, which is from March 7-15.
Contact Annacaroline at acaruso@wvpe.org or follow her on Twitter at @AnnacarolineC16
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