The University of Georgia has asked students studying in Italy to leave the country, impacting the students studying in Cortona for the spring semester.

Chris Robinson, Director of the Cortona Studies Abroad Program shared this message on Friday, February 29, 2020:

"On February 28, 2020, the US Centers for Disease Control issued a "Level 3 Alert: Avoid Non-Essential Travel" to Italy based on the spread of New Coronavirus (COVID-19) in the country. The American State Department also raised Travel Advisory to "Level 3: Reconsider Travel" on February 28, 2020. This is an increase in previous warnings.

Given the developments and after consulting with the UGA Risk Management Committee, the Office of Global Engagement suspends all programs abroad in Spring 2020, independent international experiences, exchanges and parallel courses in Italy, effective immediately.

The University of Georgia International Center in Cortona has top priority to the health and safety of our students. The decision to suspend programs shows in accordance with the International Travel Policy of UGA.

The University of Georgia expresses its continued commitment to the programs offered in Cortona and also to relations with the municipality of Cortona. It is our intention to restart with the operation of the programs as soon as possible in accordance with the rules of the university and the state. We are optimistic and hope for a quick containment of the new coronavirus."