European spring break trips cancelled by Kamloops school district due to COVID-19

As a precautionary measure, the Kamloops-Thompson School District has cancelled spring break group tours to Europe due to the worldwide outbreak of the COVID-19 virus.

The decision affects 38 staff and students from Clearwater Secondary, Valleyview Secondary and Sa-Hali who had planned to visit various regions of Europe beginning March 13, 2020, according to a school district media release.

The district considered the Health Canada advisories as well as the potential that staff and students may be quarantined, either overseas, or after they return to Canada when making the decision to cancel trips. 

“Due to the risk of harm for students and staff travelling to regions of Europe, we had to make the call to cancel these trips," Bill Hamblett, Assistant Superintendent of Schools – Secondary, said in the release.

"We see this as a wise and necessary precaution.”

Fortunately for students at South Kamloops Secondary, their trip to Costa Rica will continue as planned, barring any changes with the Government of Canada's Travel Health Notices.

The school district sent out a message to parents and staff urging those who are traveling overseas to consider the risks, and the possibility of quarantine upon their return to Canada. 

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