Statement regarding COVID-19

Update: Thursday, March 12, 2020, 9:00 AM CET

CEPA’s top priority is the health and safety of our students and faculty leaders. We are aware of the US State Department’s on March 11, 2020 to issue a Global Travel Alert for US citizens to level 3. We are also aware of the US Government administration to restrict “all travel” from foreign nationals coming from continental Europe to the U.S. for the next 30 days, with an exemption for travelers coming from The United Kingdom.

Our crisis management teams are in close contact with student groups currently traveling in Europe as well as student groups planned to arrive in Europe in the coming months.

Communications are being sent regularly to our institution and faculty partners and their students as needed.

Please do not hesitate to contact us if you have questions.

 

Update: Thursday, March 5, 2020, 10:00 AM CET

CEPA has been continuously monitoring developments of the respiratory illness caused by the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) ever since the first outbreak was identified in Wuhan, China.

In addition to reviewing the CDC, US State Department, and WHO announcements and reports, we are also monitoring national and local health ministries in Europe as well as the additional guidance from the following organizations:

Based on multiple sources of information, we are:

  • monitoring program locations in Europe regarding the spread of COVID-19 on a daily basis
  • working closely with staff and coordinators on site in Europe to communicate additional guidelines and recommended safety measures
  • providing information about personal health considerations, resources, and additional travel precautions to students at our locations in France and Germany

On February 28, 2020, the US State Department and CDC issued a travel advisory to avoid all non-essential travel to Italy. Several airlines limited or varied their travel policies and flights to Italy.

On Feb. 29, 2020 the US State Department increased their travel advisory to Level 4 for the Lombardy and Veneto regions in Italy. As a result, some study abroad programs were cancelled.

All other Spring, Summer, and Fall 2020 programs across Europe are continuing as planned until further notice from CEPA or the university partner.

We will provide updates should travel advisory levels in other European countries be heightened.

The safety, security, and well-being of our students, faculty, and staff are of utmost importance to CEPA. Thankfully, we have not received any reports of CEPA students or staff in Europe or the US becoming sick from the coronavirus. We are making every effort within our means to support program participants and their home institutions in finding safe decisions and feasible solutions.

Please do not hesitate to contact us if you have additional questions or concerns.

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