TRAVEL BAN CAUSING PROBLEMS FOR BRENHAM HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS, TEACHERS VISITING SPAIN
Update:
KWHI has learned that the group of Brenham High School students and teachers visiting Spain for spring break are expected home this Sunday night. A parent of one of the kids says the group should return Sunday evening, unless they are able to return earlier.
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A group of Brenham High School students and teachers visiting Spain for spring break are now uncertain on when they will return home because of the coronavirus.
President Trump’s 30 day travel ban from Europe has left many Americans scrambling to get back. A member of the Brenham High group in Spain posted on Facebook that their travel company, Explorica, is working on solidifying their travel arrangements back to the U.S. The travel ban goes into effect at midnight tonight (Thursday).
American citizens will be allowed to return home from Europe, but only after unspecified screening is complete. KWHI has tried to contact Brenham High School and BISD officials for comments on the situation. However, due to spring break, all of their offices are closed.
Brenham ISD did release an update this morning regarding the coronavirus, stating there are currently no confirmed cases in Brenham ISD or in the Brenham community.
Based on the official CDC Travel Alerts posted on Wednesday, countries that have a Level 3 Travel Health Notice include China, Iran, Italy, and South Korea. According to the statement from Brenham ISD, students and/or staff members—including substitutes and tutors—who have traveled to one of these countries over Spring Break are asked to self-quarantine for 14 days per CDC guidelines.
Should any students or family members require self-quarantine, they are asked to email wjackson@brenhamk-12.net and colivarez@brenhamk-12.net before school resumes on Monday, providing the following info:
- Names of all Brenham ISD students and/or staff members affected by the Level 3 Travel Health Notice
- Country/countries visited
- Date of arrival to country/countries and date of departure from country/countries designated on the Level 3 Travel Health Notice
- Date of re-entry into the United States
- Statement of intent to self-quarantine
- Proposed end date of self-quarantine
You can read Brenham ISD's full statement here.
(Joshua Blaschke contributed to this report)
What steps are being taken to be certain that these travelers will self quarantine once they return to Brenham? Not trying to be flippant but – Spain is the new Italy. Will their families need to isolate with them as well? Ten doesn’t sound like a large number but when you begin to think of all the families that are going to be in contact with these people the circle begins to grow. We could have cases in Brenham very shortly. I want to be assured that the city and county are going to be monitoring the movements of these people. I want to feel secure that these students will not be returning to school (if it resumes) before at least a 14 day quarantine has taken place.
I’m sorry until you are in the situation, I think it is awfully wrong of you to judge and overreact. These people spent a lot of money on a trip of a lifetime. This situation escalated quickly. Had they known this would happen, I’m sure they would have attempted to reschedule this trip. We don’t need panic and ignorance right now. I know for a fact, this group is staying at home and not taking it lightly. They wouldn’t dream of putting anyone else in danger. They aren’t showing any symptoms. So pray for them and keep the ignorance to a minimum please!
Our government minimized the scale of the crisis. Giving the impression “It was no big deal” contributing to the general public proceeding as usual with travel plans, etc.
Prayerfully students and advisors can return home all in good health.
God’s Mercy for us ALL!
Why on earth did the school district allow this trip to take place??!! This was totally irresponsible and now they will return and more than likely they have been exposed. I sincerely hope that they will quarantine those who traveled in a location AWAY from Brenham. I am carrying on as usual with local activities but would not dream of traveling abroad.
This trip was not sponsored or sanctioned by Brenham ISD. The school district’s approval was not requirrd.
Probably because the trip was planned and paid for months ago. ? And when the left over a week ago, the USA government and World Health org said it was fine.
How about using common sense?
Seriously, quarantine anyone who has traveled AWAY FROM BRENHAM, are you kidding me! You will have the whole county in quarantine with a view like that!
Absolutely
They didn’t just leave Brenham. They went to Europe and back. You’re missing the point.
James you are absolutely right. The USA really needs to exercise even more of a shutdown for the next two weeks. I thank God that we have had as much as much control as we have had with the President’s control of national boarders. Italy did not have control. Two steps back today will be of tremendous value in the next few months. Being proactive is the only antidote and cure for the war on this virus.
Respectfully, the post I was referring to said that anyone who has left BRENHAM should be quarantined. The group from Europe is now mostly home and will be self quarantining, they are doing the right thing. But to say that anyone who has left BRENHAM should be quarantined is completely off base. The massive overreaction to this with people stripping our stores bare, giving anyone who sneezes a death stare, and treating good friends and neighbors as if they have the plague simply because they may leave Brenham is a very misplaced response. Some common sense is needed!
Apologies, it looks like I mistook the intent of your post.
They should self isolate for 14 days. Symptoms don’t always show up right away. It is a major concern. I hope the school district and the city do the right thing.