The novel coronavirus has caused travel cancellations throughout the entire student body.
Plans for spring break, studying abroad and traveling have been canceled due to mandatory quarantines and fear of COVID-19.
Mandated by Cal Poly Pomona, spring break remains scheduled for March 28 to April 3. Leading up to that week, no in-person classes will be in session as the remainder of Cal Poly Pomona’s spring 2020 semester will remain virtual.
Students slightest hopes to travel remain miniscule. Due to government mandates, students’ plans for events and travel abroad have been canceled.
This year’s desired travel destination for many students was Mexico, specifically Rosarito. Its popular tourist attraction Papas & Beer had preparations to host multiple colleges throughout the spring months. The destination puts on a beachfront music festival with popular artists. However, the coronavirus has caused many performing musical acts to postpone.
“I’m actually turning 21 on the 30th. So that’s ruined it,” said third-year sociology student Diana Cervantes. “I was going to go to Rosarito to celebrate my birthday, but that got postponed, and the hotel I got isn’t refunding my money, so that’s another thing. And I’m pretty sure (Electric Daisy Carnival) is going to be postponed.”
CPP’s community of students is faced with cancellation of their desired schedules. Third-year plant science student Michael Vermilye had plans of traveling with CPP’s scuba diving program to Australia’s Great Barrier Reef. He and his team of over 18 students have been subject to cancellations for their trip.
“The virus canceled our trip to Australia,” Vermiyle said. “Through (Associated Students, Inc.) campus rec, we had planned to go to Australia and dive in the Great Barrier Reef this spring break. It was a huge bummer when we saw the news that all campus abroad events were suspended until May 31st. Everyone attending the trip got refunded.”
“This trip was going to provide us an experience of diving in one of the top diving spots in the world, as well as getting to witness the damage the coral reefs are facing due to climate change and water quality,” Vermiyle said.
Pre-pandemic CPP offered students opportunities to study, have new experiences and represent the campus in various avenues around the world. The novel coronavirus has since hindered the chances for exploratory endeavors.
“Moving forward, it’s kind of like every day is something new with the virus. There’s no expectations because one day you’re here and the next day you’re somewhere else,” Cervantes said.