Category: Travel Updates

CDC Elevates Alert Status for Several Countries

On Monday night, the Center for Disease Control and Prevention elevated South Korea to Alert-Level 3 status, which recommends that travelers avoid all nonessential travel all non-essential travel.

Italy and Iran were also elevated to Alert-Level 2 status, which recommends older adults and those with chronic medical conditions consider postponing nonessential travel.

Hong Kong remains at Alert-Level 1, which does not recommend canceling or postponing travel to the following destinations. However, due to ongoing protests and civil unrest, students on Duke-supported programs are not allowed to travel to Hong Kong without a petition to waive the restriction is granted by the Provost.

Travel Guidance for Students

Dear students,

As the scope and impact of the 2019 novel coronavirus (COVID-19) continues to be seen across the globe, we are reaching out with some information, and, on behalf of all of us in Student Affairs and here at Duke, to remind you that we are here for you.

In the past last month, many countries – including the United States — have issued the highest levels of travel restrictions and most commercial airlines have canceled flights to China. Duke has also put in place limitations on all university-funded travel to China until further notice, and has cancelled all summer programs planned within China including GEO and Duke Engage.

Since then, we have received numerous questions from our international students with concerns and questions about traveling outside the U.S., particularly during spring break next month. Travel policies are dynamic and will continue to evolve, so we encourage you to review university websites and trusted news sources.  We also want to share some guidance from experts closely monitoring the situation to help you make decisions and preparations.

Please read the information below, and, again, please keep in mind that the situation with 2019-nCoV is evolving rapidly. We will continue to share updates on changes that may impact you and your travel plans. You can also visit the Duke coronavirus response website for more information.

We recognize that this situation personally impacts many members of the Duke community, and that many of you are concerned about friends, family and loved ones around the world.  Know that your Duke community is thinking of you during this time. For additional individual guidance, please email dukereach@duke.edu to let us know how we can better support you.

Sincerely,

Mary Pat McMahon
Vice Provost/Vice President for Student Affairs

Travel Restrictions:

The U.S. State Department has restricted entry into the United States by any foreign national who has recently visited China, other than immediate family of U.S. citizens and permanent residents.  These individuals will not be permitted to enter the country until they can demonstrate they have been out of China for at least 14 days. In addition, any person returning to the U.S. directly from mainland China is now required to self-isolate for 14 days.

While 2019-nCoV has been confirmed in 28 countries as of Feb. 13, the U.S. State Department has not issued travel restrictions related to the outbreak for any other country. However, this could change quickly, so you should continue to monitor the U.S. State Department website for updates if you plan to travel outside the United States.

The Department of Homeland Security has also indicated it will take all necessary steps to regulate the travel of persons and aircraft coming into the country to facilitate the orderly medical screening and, where appropriate, quarantine of persons who enter the United States and who may have been exposed to 2019-nCoV.

Please be aware that visa entries into the United States are not guaranteed, so be sure to present the appropriate visa documentation at the U.S. port of entry and be prepared for additional scrutiny and possible delays. For more information, or if you have questions, visit the Duke Visa Services webpage.

Beyond the current situation, students should consult Duke’s normal travel policies which are governed by the Duke Global Travel Advisory Committee, which regularly assesses risks for international travel. The current list of restricted travel locations can be found at https://travel.duke.edu/restricted-regions-list.

Commercial Flights:

Travel may also be complicated due to the cancellation of flights by US and foreign commercial airlines, many of which have suspended flights to China through late April. In addition, only seven U.S. airports are currently receiving flights from China.

If you are considering travel outside the U.S. during spring break, regularly check airlines for the status of out-bound and in-bound flights given the dynamic nature of this situation.

Health Precautions:

Even if you are not traveling internationally, we encourage all students to follow healthy practices. Aside from the coronavirus, we are also in the height of flu and cold season.

It is not too late to get a flu shot at Student Health. The flu shot is the best way to prevent the flu during flu season, which typically lasts through March or April.

If you are traveling internationally, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends the following practices to reduce the risk of getting sick:

  • Avoid contact with sick people.
  • Discuss travel plans with your healthcare provider. Travelers with underlying health issues may be at risk for more severe disease.
  • Avoid animals (alive or dead), animal markets, and products that come from animals (such as uncooked meat).
  • Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, especially after going to the bathroom; before eating; and after coughing, sneezing or blowing your nose. If soap and water are not readily available, you can use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol. Always wash hands with soap and water if hands are visibly dirty.

If you are currently feeling unwell, we hope that you will make an appointment with Student Health.

 

Urgent Message: Information For Travelers Returning from China

The following information was sent by email on February 1, 2020

URGENT MESSAGE TO THE DUKE COMMUNITY: INFORMATION FOR THOSE RETURNING FROM CHINA (SENT ON FEBRUARY 1, 2020)

This message includes important, time-sensitive information for members of the Duke community who have been in mainland China and will arrive in the United States on or after 12 p.m. on Sunday, February 2, 2020.

You may be aware that the U.S. Department of State has issued a Level 4 – Do not Travel to China advisory and the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services has declared a public health emergency.  As a result, all individuals returning to the U.S. from mainland China are asked to self-isolate for 14 days. In addition, all foreign nationals (other than immediate family of U.S. citizens and permanent residents) who have been to mainland China in the last 14 days are temporarily banned from entering the country.

All Duke students, faculty and staff who will return to the U.S. from China after 12 p.m. on Sunday, February 2, 2020, are expected to immediately self-isolate and complete the survey (note: survey no longer active).

This information will help the university provide as much support as possible to ensure the health and well-being of the Duke community.  Duke medical specialists will monitor the responses, provide guidance on self-isolation as needed and respond to your questions as quickly as possible. Be assured that information provided on this survey will be secure and kept confidential.

If you traveled to mainland China in the last 14 days and feel sick with fever, cough, or difficulty breathing, you should seek medical attention right away.

  • Students should contact Student Health at  919-681-9355, option 2 and ask to speak to a triage nurse.
  • Faculty or staff members should contact Employee Occupational Health & Wellness at 919-684-3136, option 2 and ask for a nurse; after business hours call the Blood and Body Fluid exposure emergency hotline at 919-684-8115.
  • Visitors to Duke should contact the North Carolina Division of Public Health at 1-866-462-3821 for further clinical guidance.

All members of the Duke community are encouraged to monitor the Duke coronavirus website at https://sites.duke.edu/coronavirus/ for the latest updates.

For further information about these procedures and to address any situations not covered by this message, please contact Chloe Hallberg, Director of Emergency Services, at chloe.hallberg@duke.edu.

Thank you for your help complying with federal regulations. At this time there are no known cases of the novel coronavirus in North Carolina or at any Duke facility, and with your help we will continue to keep our community as healthy as possible.

Manager Memo: Guidance for Individuals Returning from China

The following message was sent on January 29, 2020

To:

Vice Presidents, Deans, Directors, Department Heads, and Managers at Duke

From:

Cameron Wolfe, Associate Professor of Medicine, Infectious Diseases

Kyle Cavanaugh, Vice President, Administration, Emergency Coordinator

 

With the outbreak of novel coronavirus, we have received numerous questions from departments seeing guidance for how to handle those returning to Duke from China.

Departments are asked to use the following guidelines:

  • There are currently no restrictions for individuals who remain healthy without fever or respiratory symptoms (cough, sore throat or shortness of breath) during the 14-day period following departure from China.
  • Individuals returning from China who have a fever or respiratory symptoms should stay home, limit contact with others, and contact their healthcare provider.

Anyone returning from China with fever and cough, sore throat or shortness of breath within 14 days of departure from China should call ahead to their doctor’s office and advise them of recent travel and symptoms.

  • Students with these symptoms should contact Student Health at 919-681-9355, option 2 and ask to speak to a triage nurse.
  • Faculty or staff with these symptoms should contact Employee Occupational Health & Wellness at 919-684-3136, option 2 and ask for a nurse; after business hours call the Blood and Body Fluid exposure emergency hotline at 919-684-8115.
  • Visitors to campus from China should contact Durham County Health Department on 919-560-7896 for further clinical guidance.

There are currently no vaccines available to protect against the novel coronavirus infection, so the best ways to reduce the risk of infection include the following:

  • Wash hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds.
  • Avoid touching eyes, nose, or mouth with unwashed hands.
  • Avoid close contact with people who are sick.

In the meanwhile, this situation continues to evolve quickly, so we encourage you to monitor the Duke Coronavirus Response website for updates. We will notify you if the guidance above changes.

Message to the Duke Community Regarding Travel to China

The U.S. State Department and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention have recommended that all non-essential travel to China be deferred due to the outbreak of the novel coronavirus.  Therefore, effective immediately, Duke University is restricting all university-funded travel to China.

This restriction covers all travel to China for students, faculty and staff at Duke University and Duke Health.  It does not, however, affect personal travel, though we urge any individual planning a trip to China to carefully review the latest health information from U.S. government sources, and be aware that anyone returning from China may be subject to screening and quarantine guidelines in place at the time.

Members of the Duke community who are engaged in research or clinical activities in China and need to travel there urgently in the next several weeks should contact their dean, department chair or unit director to activate the process for an exception to this travel restriction.

As you know, this is a rapidly evolving situation and the university leadership is monitoring developments to protect the health and safety of the entire Duke community.  We encourage you to visit https://sites.duke.edu/coronavirus/ regularly for the latest updates regarding relevant university actions and policies.

Sally A. Kornbluth, Provost

Eugene Washington, Chancellor for Health Affairs

Hubei Province added to Restricted Travel List

The Global Travel Advisory Committee (GTAC) advises the Provost on the safety and security of destinations around the globe.

Read more at travel.duke.edu.

Update on Coronavirus and Travel to China

Duke officials continue to monitor and respond to the impact of the 2019 novel (new) coronavirus, particularly with regard to travel and activities in China. The Health Crisis group, a subcommittee of Duke’s Emergency Management Committee that includes physicians from Duke’s Infectious Disease department, has been meeting since December when the illness was first identified and continues to mobilize all resources to inform and assist the university community.

Read more on today.duke.edu.

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