Natick Cancels School Trips In Response To Coronavirus

NATICK, MA — In a response to a growing regional and worldwide outbreak of the new coronavirus, Natick Superintendent Anna Nolin said in a letter to parents Friday that the school district is canceling all school trips abroad.

The announcement came in a letter from Nolin about the district's wider response to the outbreak of COVID-19.

"We are poised to respond to developments in the region, and we write to let you know of our current practices in prevention," Nolin said in the statement. "The Natick Schools have a pandemic protocol as part of its emergency response procedures. We have met as a leadership team to review this protocol and plan for a unified and systematic response to this possible situation.

Natick's response comes as state officials on Friday announced a new tally of COVID-19 cases in the Boston area. There are eight local cases: one confirmed case in a UMass Boston student that was discovered in early February; three presumptive positives cases in Boston; three presumptive positive cases in Norfolk County; and one presumptive case in Middlesex County.

READ: MA Coronavirus Cases Spike; Many Linked To Boston Conference

Also on Friday, Wellesley closed two public schools for cleaning after a parent tested positive for COVID-19.

In addition to international travel, Nolin said that international visits to schools have been canceled. Domestic trips may soon be canceled too, she said. The moratorium will remain through the end of the school year.

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