North Ramsey News

As experts advise recent travelers to Europe to self-quarantine, others seem to be heeding the warning by avoiding air travel altogether.

Two students from the University of Minnesota have been advised to self-quarantine for 14 days after being exposed to someone who was COVID-19 positive in Europe, according to KSTP 5.

The Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) evaluated the students on their flight from Europe after it touched down at Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has quarantine stations at the airport, according to KSTP 5. The students showed no signs of having COVID-19, according to KSTP 5.

The university released a statement saying, "The University is providing support by arranging accommodations and regular wellness check-ins during their quarantine period." The university also advised the students have not been in any university-owned buildings, including academic buildings or residence halls, since returning to the U.S.

Study abroad programs in China, South Korea and Italy have been suspended to keep students safe.

MDH said travelers can prevent the virus from spreading by taking precautionary measures such as: washing their hands with soap and water, cover coughs and sneezes with a sleeve or tissue, and staying home if they feel sick, according to KSTP 5.

States across the country are asking people to avoid unnecessary travel to reduce the spread of COVID-19.

Revenues are expected to drop drastically at MSP, according to the airport's spokesperson, Patrick Hogan.

MSP has suspended 90 airline routes, according to Hogan and the airport expects to lose more than $100 million in revenues this year.  

“With significant reductions in flight activity, passenger levels down by 95% and customers filling only 2% of the airport's parking capacity, what would typically be a steady stream of revenues to fund airport operations and improvements has slowed to a trickle," Hogan told KSTP 5.