Children from primary schools across Northern Ireland are due to head off on ski trips to northern Italy over the next few weeks, despite fears over the coronavirus.
Parents have told South Antrim Vox they are ‘concerned’ about sending their children on the trips and they won’t be entitled to refunds.
The Foreign and Commonwealth Office has not formally advised against travel to Italy – apart from several named towns at the centre of the outbreak. It means that principals are faced with difficult decisions.
“I’m afraid to send my son and I don’t want to lose the money as we have paid for it,” said one parent. “I worry about him being away on his own.”
If the trips go ahead, the children upon return, will have to self-isolate whether or not they show symptoms.
Two schools in Northern Ireland have already cancelled their ski trips to Italy.
Sacred Heart Grammar in Newry and Dunclug College in Ballymena pulled out over virus fears.
Schools around England meanwhile were shut completely for ‘deep cleans’ after pupils returned from skiing trips in Italy.
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