Four teachers and one student in St. Landry Parish have been asked to remain away from campuses following recent travels.
A Park Vista Elementary teacher has been asked to self-quarantine after returning from a recent cruise.
St. Landry Parish School Superintendent Patrick Jenkins says that a message went out to the parents of students at Park Vista stating that the teacher was asked to remain away from campus and is doing so after cruise travel within the last 14 days.
Jenkins reiterates that the teacher traveled to an area that is NOT affected by the novel coronavirus. They are not experiencing any symptoms and are not currently ill but are self-quarantining out of an abundance of caution.
A teacher at Port Barre Elementary, Beau Chene High and Grand Coteau Elementary are also asked to stay away from school campus. There is also one student reported to not return until cleared after going on a cruise.
"We have asked employees and students who traveled recently to unaffected areas to remain away from schools in the district for 14 days following their travels out of an abundance of caution," Jenkins said.
None of those asked to remain away are experiencing any symptoms or illness.
The Superintendent says that following a change in CDC guidance about cruise ship travel, the SLPSS believed it was in the best interest for those who traveled to not return to school until cleared by a medical professional.
"The safety of our students and staff remains our highest priority and therefore we are taking these proactive measures," the statement to parents reads.
The schools have been disinfected as a precaution. Jenkins says the Park Vista teacher had not physically returned to campus since that trip.
Jenkins tells KATC that schools in the parish are taking precautions, reminding students, faculty and staff to practice good hygiene. Custodial staff have been directed to disinfect schools campuses as part of their cleaning routines.
