Provost: CDC Travel Guidelines & Impact, Feb. 28

February 28, 2020

Dear Students, Faculty, Staff and Andrews University Community,

I want to share a few significant updates on the Coronavirus (COVID-19) disease, including its impact on our global campus community here in Berrien Springs. Please carefully review these updates as they may impact your travel and activities during the March 13–22 spring semester break and in the months to come.

In recent days, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) indicated that the global spread and impact of COVID-19 continues, including more evidence of community-based transmission of the disease with no apparent direct link or travels to affected areas.

Consequently, this week the CDC proposed a new array of travel guidelines. As of February 27, here are the countries/destinations included in this advisory:

Warning Level 3: China, South Korea
Alert Level 2: Japan, Italy, Iran
Watch Level 1: Hong Kong
Potential At-Risk Destinations: Thailand, Singapore, Taiwan

As Andrews University responds to these CDC guidelines, we will take the following steps:

1. Warning Level 3 and Alert Level 2: Study Tours and Other Travel Advice

• Andrews University will not sponsor any travel by Andrews employees to the countries identified by the CDC at Warning Level 3 or Alert Level 2. 
• Additionally, Andrews University will not allow study tours to Warning Level 3 and Alert Level 2 countries and will communicate directly with tour directors and students who have study tours to these areas to explore alternate plans.
• Additionally, Andrews University strongly discourages its students, faculty or staff from personal travels to those Warning Level 3 and Alert Level 2 countries at this time.

2. Watch Level 1: Other Travel Advice for Employees and Students

• The University strongly advises against Andrews sponsored or personal travel to countries categorized as Watch Level 1 (currently, Hong Kong). However, Andrews University will not prevent employees or students who voluntarily choose to travel to Watch Level 1 destinations (as defined by the CDC) in connection with their Andrews University assignments.
• Additionally, Andrews University will not allow study tours to Watch Level 1 destinations and will communicate directly with tour directors and students who have study tours to these areas to explore alternate plans.

3. Returning to the Andrews University Campus

• Andrews University employees and students who return to campus after personal travel (which is not advised at this time) to countries/destinations that the CDC has identified as areas of concern will be asked to notify the University.
• Faculty or staff who travel to those areas will be asked to email our Office of Human Resources, and students who travel to those areas should email our Division of Campus & Student Life.
• As appropriate, these individuals will be asked to check in with the Berrien County Health Department (BCHD) to confirm any appropriate protocols needed, including monitoring of health indicators, social isolation (avoiding large gatherings or places where close contact with other individuals may occur) and/or 14 days of quarantine.

4. International Guests on Our Campus

• Andrews University will track and evaluate additional international travel plans for hosting international guests on our Berrien Springs campus.
• For events bringing international visitors or guests to our campus up to, and including, August 1, details should be shared and reviewed in advance with the Provost’s office. 

The University’s guidelines and restrictions related to global travel will continue to be influenced and changed, as appropriate, by current official CDC and U.S. government travel guidelines.

Each of us can also play our part by taking personal steps to prevent the spread of colds and flu, as well as the COVID-19 virus. I encourage you to review these excellent prevention guidelines from the World Health Organization and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

As a global Christian community, Andrews University will respond to the realities, risks and heartache of this disease by praying and caring for those on our campus and in our local community who may be impacted by COVID-19, just as our hearts break for the tragic impact, infection and even death moving through the lives of so many around the world.

In addition to reviewing WHO and CDC resources about the COVID-19 virus and its global impact, I also invite you to regularly visit the COVID-19 update page on our Andrews University website for updates related to our own community.

Cordially,

Christon Arthur
Provost