(Radio Iowa) — The University of Iowa has canceled study abroad programs in four countries because of the Covid-19 coronavirus outbreak. Iowa State University has canceled spring break programs to Africa, Asia and Europe. I-S-U international risk analyst Shaun Jamieson says the school has canceled the spring programs because of U-S travel restrictions.

“I know that that can be a really disappointing decision for some of our students that were planning on going on these spring break programs,” he says, “but, you know, it’s a difficult decision for us as well, but we make it with the well being of our students in mind.” I-S-U suspended programs in China in late January. Just last week, the university suspended its programs in Italy and South Korea.

About 140 Iowa State students were studying in those countries. About 160 UNIVERSITY OF IOWA students are affected by the school’s decision to cancel study abroad programs in China, South Korea, Japan and Italy. Russ Ganim is the associate dean of international programs. He says some students have found alternative programs in other countries, others have already returned home or will be arriving soon — but very few will actually be coming back to Iowa City.

“Many of those students live either in Des Moines or are from out of state or Cedar Rapids,” he says, “so while we don’t have exact numbers on how many would be coming back to Iowa City, preliminary indications are that we don’t have that many.” Another 160 University of Iowa students are outside the country — but are NOT in countries where Covid-19 cases are spreading.

(Reporting by Iowa Public Radio’s Katie Peikes)