Restriction of travel and mandatory reporting for China

Dear Students, Faculty and Staff:

We write to provide an update related to the 2019 Novel Coronavirus, including new travel restrictions and reporting requirements.

While the spread of the virus within the United States is still considered to be low risk, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the U.S. Department of State (DOS) have recently issued new travel guidance regarding China. Out of an abundance of caution, Ohio State is sharing new restrictions on travel in alignment with this guidance and reporting requirements to proactively protect the health and well-being of our community.

Details are as follows:

Temporary travel restrictions

In accordance with guidance from the CDC and other federal agencies, Ohio State will temporarily restrict university-sponsored travel to the country of China for all faculty, staff and students — effective immediately and in place through at least March 6. An appeals process will be shared soon.

We will continue to monitor guidance from the CDC and DOS, and will share plans prior to March 6 to either end the restriction on that date or, if needed, extend it. For personal travel, we strongly advise all students, faculty and staff to follow travel alerts from the CDC and DOS. Currently, the CDC recommends that travelers avoid all nonessential travel to China. The DOS recommends reconsidering travel to China.

Reporting requirements

For those with personal travel to China, reporting will be required so that we can offer proper resources and immediately assist any member of our community who may become ill. Geographical areas, regions or cities affected by the reporting requirement may be modified depending on the future course of the outbreak.

All information gathered through this process will remain confidential.

Students, faculty and staff are required to report to travelreporting@osumc.edu under the following circumstances:

• If you have returned from China within the past 14 days, whether on university business or otherwise, you must report within 24 hours of this email.
• If you are currently in China, whether on university business or otherwise, you must report within 24 hours of your return.
• If you have personal travel to China planned between now and March 6, you must report within 24 hours of your return.
• If you are being actively monitored or observed by any local, county, state or federal public health agency due to risk of coronavirus, you must report within 24 hours of being notified.

All reports should include an Ohio State name.# and a cell phone contact number. Questions about the reporting process can be directed to travelreporting@osumc.edu.

To reiterate, no changes are needed for day-to-day behaviors on our campuses at this time. While two students from Miami University who recently traveled to China are being tested, there are currently no confirmed cases within the state of Ohio. Also at this time, state and federal health officials are not restricting activities for travelers returning from China without symptoms — nor are they recommending testing for those without symptoms.

We continue to monitor closely the guidelines and recommendations from local, state and federal agencies. Both the Wexner Medical Center and the Office of Student Life’s Student Health Services have proactive measures in place to screen symptoms and follow all public health protocols should anyone with potential coronavirus need care.

As always, the health and safety of our students, faculty, staff, patients and visitors is our top priority. We will continue to keep our community informed — and we encourage everyone to practice routine hygiene etiquette as this is the best way to prevent the spread of infection.

For more information, visit the university’s coronavirus webpage.