Posted by Patrick Mahaffy, Youth Exchange Chair
The pandemic of the COVID-19 has spread all over the world and no one knows when the situation will be back to normal. As each country tries to minimize the spread of the virus, strict restrictions continue to be imposed. Hopefully, these will help ease the strain on our health care systems and minimize the damage caused by Covid-19.
 
With students’ well-being and security as our top priorities, Rotary District 7040 has decided to suspend new long-term youth exchanges for one year. This means that our district will not be sending or receiving students in the summer of 2020. 
 
Most countries have blocked foreigners from entering; visa processes are suspended; and it is not fair to the students to be held in uncertainty as many may have alternative plans for their education. This is a necessary step to let the situation return to a state where youth exchange again is possible.
 
We do hate to disappoint you and your students, and we understand that you may have alternate views on the matter. However, from our perspective, this is the timely and right thing to do now. We count on your understanding and hope that we can make exchanges again in 2021-22.