Florida students who went on Spring Break instead of self-isolating test positive for coronavirus

A group of University of Tampa students – who weren’t practicing social distancing and travelled during Spring Break – have since come home and tested positive for coronavirus.

The University of Tampa tweeted on Saturday:

As of 17 March, the University of Tampa moved all face-to-face communications online for the rest of the semester.

They also banned all athletic events and pulled international student programmes but will keep student halls open until 9 May.

The safety measures come about after medical professionals urged the public to practice social distancing.

Despite this advice, thousands of students flocked to beaches in Florida to celebrate Spring break – a vacation period in early Spring.

Videos emerged online showing college students out and about, but completely unbothered by calls to stay home.

One Spring breaker said:

If I get corona, I get corona. At the end of the day, I’m not going to let it stop me from partying.

Another said:

I mean, it sucks but we’re going to make the best of it… We’re going to enjoy ourselves. We’re having day parties all day.

The current advice from the US government is to practice social distancing and stay at home, but there is presently no lockdown in Florida.

This means there is some confusion about what is and isn't acceptable.

As of Monday night, additional meaures have been introduced in the UK, which means only going out of your house for shopping, one form of exercise, any medical need or travelling to and from work (only when necessary).