By BRENT MARTIN
St. Joseph Post
Northwest Missouri State University will, in effect, extend spring break.
Northwest officials have announced they are postponing the resumption of classes on the Maryville campus as well as on the Northwest-Kansas City campus due to concerns about COVID-19.
Northwest plans to resume classes on Monday, March 23rd. Though students are on spring break, the Maryville campus remains open. University employees have been told to report to work as usual.
Dorms will open Sunday afternoon at one o’clock for students who choose to return to campus. Student cafeterias will offer scaled-back services.
“This is truly a unique situation that, as we have seen, is evolving in unpredictable ways,” Northwest President John Jasinski said in an email sent to the Northwest community. “As Bearcats, we will continue to adapt and ask that you continue to demonstrate what it means to be a Bearcat by learning, connecting, caring, practicing civility and showing pride in Northwest.”
St. Joseph school officials say students will be sent home after classes today with instructional materials and district-issued technology in case the coronavirus causes an extended absence from classes.
Officials say they are taking the steps as a proactive measure only.
Spring break begins at the end of the school day today.
St. Joseph school officials say the district has had a pandemic crisis action plan in place for 10 years and they update it regularly. The St. Joseph School District maintenance department has scheduled a deep disinfection of schools for next week, during the spring break when the buildings will be empty. Apple Bus Company has planned cleaning, sanitizing, and disinfecting of all of its buses during the break.
The state launched a telephone hotline staffed by medical professionals for people seeking guidance on the new coronavirus. The state health department said people can call 877-435-8411 at any time on any day.
The Associated Press contributed to this story.