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Salem Is Latest To Close Schools After Principal Returns From France

Salem High School students were dismissed from class this morning, and all Salem Public Schools will be closed Friday after a principal's recent travel to France.

Salem High School principal Samantha Meier is not showing any symptoms of COVID-19, but is under self-quarantine for 14 days. She traveled to Paris last weekend.

Last night, President Trump announced a ban on travel from European countries to the United States. An updated list by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention labels France a level 3 country, which advises travelers to avoid all nonessential travel to those locations.

In a letter, Salem Superintendent Kathleen Smith said the decision was made "out of an abundance of caution" to allow for another deep cleaning and disinfecting of the schools.

"No known COVID-19 illness is present in our schools at this time," she wrote.

She said they will be monitoring the circumstances with local health officials this weekend, and communicate whether further closures are needed next week.

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