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The Calgary Board of Education has cancelled five student trips to Italy, Japan and Taiwan scheduled for March and April amid growing worries over coronavirus.

The board said in a statement on Thursday that the decision was made to keep students and staff safe as travel advisories change.

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“As a system we have rigorous processes in place leading up to, and during international travel. Recent health events across the globe surrounding the coronavirus (COVID-19) have caused us to take time to reflect on trips outside of Canada,” the CBE said.

“This was an extremely difficult decision, and one we did not make lightly.”

Other international trips planned for Calgary schools are still expected to proceed, but could be cancelled at any time, the CBE said.

It’s a disappointing outcome for Chloe, a Grade 12 student at Joane Cardinal-Schubert High School in southeast Calgary who was slated to travel to Italy with her classmates in mid-March.