Melrose Schools Assessing Germany Trip Amid Coronavirus Concerns

MELROSE, MA — Officials are assessing whether to send students on a scheduled April trip to Germany after recent urging from Gov. Charlie Baker that high schools and colleges cancel upcoming international trips in the face of the new coronavirus threat.

Mayor Paul Brodeur and Superintendent Cyndy Taymore updated parents in an email Wednesday on the coronavirus risk.

"At this time, the risk assessment for Germany remains low for exposure, however as this is a fluid situation which is changing daily, we are closely monitoring additional guidance by the CDC, the Massachusetts Department of Public Health and we will determine if this trip should move forward," the message said.

Germany has 240 reported cases, according to the foreign health officials. No deaths have been reported.

The message also said students and staff who returned from Wednesday night from a trip to France will return to school if they do not show symptoms. France, the email noted, has a low risk of exposure, according to the CDC.

France has been hit the second-hardest among European countries with 285 cases.

"The school department will be in contact with each family to inform them of symptoms they should be aware of," the message said. "That said, the risk of exposure to the broader school community remains low."

There was a trip to Rome in February, but Taymore said everything went fine.

"All are back in school and all are well," she told Patch Feb. 27.

Italy is the site of the largest outbreak of coronavirus outside of Asia, with more than 3,000 reported cases.

Numerous school districts have kept students and staff home after returning from international trips in recent days. Two people who returned from a trip with a Rhode Island school were confirmed to have the virus, while a third person on the trip — a Massachusetts woman — tested positive by state officials.

Baker on Wednesday implored schools to cancel upcoming trips overseas.

"Taking this precaution will help protect these students and the commonwealth as we are home to such a large number of colleges and universities," Baker said.

Local Melrose field trips scheduled for the next two weeks are also staying on schedule.