Posted on Thursday, January 30, 2020
Effective immediately, and in adherence to U.S. Federal Government travel warnings, Texas Southern University is prohibiting all university travel to Wuhan, Hubei Province, China, and any non-essential travel to China outside of Hubei Province. This is a result of the outbreak of the novel Coronavirus, known as 2019-nCoV.
Relations between TSU students, faculty and staff and international communities are a critical component of the university experience, and we value the relationships we’ve formed in China over the years. However, the health and safety of our TSU family is our top priority, which cannot be compromised.
At this time, the health risks associated with outbreak of the novel Coronavirus necessitate these travel restrictions. On Jan. 27, the U.S. Department of State issued a Level 3 Travel Advisory to China, recommending reconsideration of travel to anywhere in that country, as well as a Level 4 Travel Advisory to completely restrict travel to Wuhan and Hubei Province.
Several days before that, the Department of State ordered the departure of all non-emergency U.S. personnel and their family members from Wuhan and Chinese authorities have imposed travel restrictions in the area. Also on Jan. 27, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) extended its Warning Level 3 from Wuhan, Hubei Province, China, where the first case of the new Coronavirus was identified, to now include all of China. A Warning Level 3 instructs individuals to “avoid all non-essential travel to this destination.
The outbreak is of high risk to travelers and no precautions are available to protect against the identified increased risk.” Working with our federal, state and local government contacts, TSU will monitor this situation closely and issue updates accordingly.
Special notes: There have been no identified novel Coronavirus cases at TSU, nor have there been any confirmed cases in Texas to date. Although the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) considers this new Coronavirus to be a serious public health threat, they consider the immediate risk to the American public to be low at this time.
Any TSU student, faculty or staff member who has traveled to Wuhan, China, on or after December 1, 2019, and presents with flu-like symptoms (including fever, cough, shortness of breath and sore throat) should seek medical care immediately. TSU’s Student Health Services can be reached at 713.313.7173. The CDC believes at this time that symptoms of Novel Coronavirus may appear in as few as two days – or as long as 14 days – after exposure.
Please see attachment regarding additional information on novel Coronavirus (2019-nCoV). Students who plan to study or travel abroad with university-sponsored programs should contact their program coordinator for updates and guidance. Future study abroad trips to China will be reviewed as further information becomes available.
Category: Students, Alumni, Faculty & Staff, News Media