Travel guidance and healthy habits

Dear Students, Faculty and Staff:

As the coronavirus outbreak (COVID-19) evolves, we continue to monitor guidelines and recommendations from local, state and federal officials. The situation is changing rapidly, and the university is responding in kind.

To provide broader context, this message provides general information about the university’s approach to future announcements from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). For details, information and more frequent updates, visit the university’s coronavirus/COVID-19 webpage.

University-sponsored travel

  • If the CDC elevates additional countries to a Warning Level 3 status, the university will issue temporary travel restrictions for universitysponsored travel for all students, faculty and staff.
  • Likewise, the university will preemptively bring back any university community member who is on sponsored travel to a country that is announced to be on the Warning Level 3 list.

Personal travel

  • If the CDC elevates additional countries to a Warning Level 3 status, the university will require all students, faculty and staff to report their planned or recent travel to these countries to travelreporting@osumc.edu so that we can offer proper resources and immediately assist those who become ill.
  • Travelers returning from Warning Level 3 countries will most likely be required to observe a 14-day period of self-quarantine and monitoring. During this period, you would not be permitted to come to work, attend class or participate in any other campus or community activities.

Current restrictions/requirements

University-sponsored travel to China, Iran, Italy and South Korea is currently restricted, and travelers who are going to or have come from these countries are subject to mandatory reporting through at least April 20, 2020. Individuals who return from any of these countries are also likely to face a 14-day period of self-quarantine and monitoring.

Travel guidance

For personal travel, we continue to strongly advise all students, faculty and staff to follow travel alerts from the CDC, U.S. Department of State and U.S. Department of Homeland Security. The situation in any particular travel destination can change quickly, including while you are on a trip.

Healthy habits

The best way to prevent the spread of any type of infection -- including the flu, which is currently much more prevalent in the United States -- is to practice routine hygiene etiquette:

  • Cover your mouth and nose with your elbow or a tissue when you sneeze or cough.
  • Wash your hands or use alcohol hand rub after coughing or sneezing.
  • Avoid close contact with people who are sick.
  • If you are ill, keep a safe distance from others to reduce the risk of transmitting germs.
  • If you are seriously ill, seek medical advice from your health care provider or from an emergency department.

Please check our website for updates and other information, including symptoms. Thank you for helping us promote the safety and well-being of our community. Questions can be addressed to coronavirus@osumc.edu.

Thank you,

Bruce A. McPheron, PhD
Executive Vice President and Provost

Gladys M. Gibbs, MD, MS
Director, Student Life Student Health Services

Andy Thomas, MD, MBA
Chief Clinical Officer Senior Associate Vice President for Health Sciences