Two more overseas school trips have been cancelled by the Greater Victoria School District amid concerns about the spread of COVID-19.
An Esquimalt High School spring break trip to Switzerland, Italy, France and Spain, and a Spectrum spring break trip to the same countries have been cancelled. The district previously announced cancellation of a Mount Douglas Secondary trip to Italy.
B.C. health authorities are recommending that schools cancel or postpone trips to affected areas overseas during the March school break.
Spring break starts March 16 in most B.C. school districts.
In the Saanich School District, a trip to Japan was cancelled, while another trip was rerouted to Germany from northern Italy, where there has been an outbreak of the virus.
A meeting with Parkland Secondary parents was held Wednesday night to discuss the Sidney school’s planned trip to England, France and Spain, said Saanich superintendent Dave Eberwein. “There was a variety of expressions shared around still going on the trip, not wanting to go on the trip, concern if itineraries needed to change at the last minute.”
Parents were told that district officials will get back to them early next week with a decision, said Eberwein, noting schools’ international trips are planned through established tour operators with insurance and cancellation policies.
In Sooke School District, three trips have been called off — one to Japan, one to Greece and one to Rome and Paris.
Next week, the school board will consider the fate of a few more trips, all within North America, chairman Ravi Parmar said.
The Comox Valley School District has called off school trips to China and Italy, but is monitoring the situation for a spring break trip to Germany and upcoming trips to the United States — especially Washington state, which has had a significant number of COVID-19 cases.
The Nanaimo Ladysmith School District says it is watching the situation closely, but has not cancelled any trips.
“It’s fluid,” said district spokesman Dale Burgos. “So we’re making sure that we’re following the guidelines that the federal government and the provincial government have set.
“And then we’re just in constant contact with Island Health.”
He said schools have trips planned for Europe, but none of the destinations has a high-risk rating for COVID-19.
The outlook could change quickly, however, Burgos said. “It seems that things are changing on a daily basis.”
The Cowichan Valley School District has only one international trip upcoming, to London. It was scheduled for discussion by the school board Thursday night.
