Those at the University of Regina that had trips planned to China through the university will have a tough time doing so.

The U of R has cancelled all centrally-organized and funded trips to China for the next three months. Any University-sponsored and organized China trips being taken by students, staff, researchers or faculty will need Dean’s approval. Students and staff taking personal travel to China will not be impacted.

Spokesperson Paul Dederick explains the difference between the two restrictions.

“There’s sort of official university business, so that is what’s been cancelled,” Dederick said. “We can’t tell faculty, or researchers, or student-exchange people that ‘you must stay home,’ so that’s second level because it’s associated with the University of Regina, but if they are going to go that’s when we’re requiring Dean’s approval, as well as a full risk mitigation plan.”

Dederick said the U of R is just doing what they can to protect students, staff and faculty.

“As a precautionary level, the University is trying to help provide guidance and education on travelling to and from China and things that people should be aware of in order take steps to mitigate their risk of either contracting or spreading the Coronavirus.”

It is not known how many trips are going to be impacted by these restrictions. Two cases of the Coronavirus have been found in Canada, and a total of 76 people have died since the outbreak began in December in China.

(CKRM)