Houston ISD issues advisory ahead of spring break travel season

Houston ISD is advising staff, students and families to take extra precautions around spring break and to follow guidance from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention amid concerns about the coronavirus outbreak.

"Staff and students returning from countries identified in the CDC’s travel warnings should notify their campus and self-quarantine at home for a period of 14 days, returning only when symptom-free," a statement from the district reads.

CDC lists China, Iran, South Korea, Italy and Japan as countries with sustained or widespread transmission of the virus.

HISD's spring break is March 16-20.

Student absences taken in those situations will be excused, the district said. Staff members are asked to follow normal absence-reporting procedures.

The district also revised its perfect attendance policy and will not count any absences after March 6 against an otherwise perfect attendance record.