March 13, 2020
States’ 4-H and IFYE USA Delay
Due to threats of the novel coronavirus, States’ 4-H and IFYE USA have delayed purchase of tickets to all destinations for summer 2020. States’ 4-H notified the outbounds who were scheduled to travel with how the initial plans would affect them. The first plan for Costa Rica and Norway delayed ticket purchases one month which would have been March 15. Ticket purchases for the Taiwan group were delayed two months. Tickets for the Japan Outbound group were reserved to hold space due to the Olympics, so no schedule was published. Discussion with States’ 4-H staff indicates there may be further delays. Meanwhile management continues communicate with partner countries. I will be the conduit for information to Kansas delegates, their families, and affected counties when official information is announced on 2020 outbound programs. For county communications I am notifying the agent or program assistant who signed applications. If other agents want me to copy them, please contact me. States’ 4-H has said that they will refund payments that have been made prior to airline ticket purchases, but that tickets are nonrefundable when purchased.
The IFYE program manager wrote to outbounds yesterday with an update on his plan to delay ticket purchases. He asked prospective delegates to discuss the related health issues with their parents. South Korea and Thailand have decided not to conduct two-way exchanges this year.