Drexel Restricts South Korea for All Travelers

February 28, 2020

Due to the ongoing spread of COVID-19, Drexel is restricting university-related travel to South Korea at this time for all travelers, including faculty and professional staff. As with the restriction on travel to China, any faculty, professional staff member or student who wishes to travel to South Korea will require written approval from the Provost’s Office. Prospective travel would first need approval from the respective dean or department head, with all requests then submitted to the provost for review and final decision.

Italy Added to Restricted Travel List

February 28, 2020

Due to community spread of COVID-19, Drexel is restricting university-related travel to Italy following guidance from the Centers for Disease Control. The CDC raised the Advisory Level for Italy to 3: Avoid Non-Essential Travel.

Drexel Classifies South Korea as High Risk Travel

February 25, 2020

Due to the current CDC Level 3 Advisory for South Korea: Avoid Non-Essential Travel, travel to South Korea is now determined to be High Risk by the University Travel Risk Review Committee and upcoming travel to South Korea is prohibited at this time for all Drexel students. 

Given the uncertainty of the current situation in South Korea with the containment of COVID-19, Drexel strongly discourages faculty and staff from traveling to South Korea at this time. Drexel faculty and staff with upcoming travel plans to South Korea should contact Drexel International Health, Safety and Security for further guidance on the advisability of travel to South Korea. International Health, Safety and Security is actively monitoring developments in South Korea, Italy and other affected countries. 

COVID-19 Additional Areas of Concern

February 23, 2020

Drexel International Health, Safety and Security continues in its monitoring of COVID-19 (Coronavirus) and is following closely the situations in South Korea, Japan and Italy where increases in the number of cases have occurred over the past 72 hours. The CDC has raised its advisory level to Level 2: Practice Enhanced Precautions for Japan and South Korea, advising against travel to these countries for older adults or those with chronic medical conditions. Italy remains with a Level 1 CDC Advisory: Practice Usual Precautions. Information and guidance have been provided to known travelers in the affected countries. 

Drexel IHSS has been monitoring COVID-19 since January 21 and regularly receives advisories from On Call International, our Emergency Assistance provider, OSAC, a division of the US State Department and the CDC. Drexel is part of a network of safety and security professionals that share information and insights on current approaches of universities and best practices.  

Update to CDC Guidance for Travelers from China

February 05, 2020

Following updated guidance from the CDC, travelers from China should self-isolate and monitor their health for 14 days following their departure from China. Travelers who develop a fever, cough or have difficulty breathing should call their primary care physician or the Philadelphia Public Health department before going to a doctor's office or emergency room for care. 

Drexel travelers should also be aware that there are significant entry restrictions in place for many countries, including the United States, for any travelers arriving from China. This includes potential restrictions on US citizens for entry to the US. Travelers to international destinations who have been in China in the 15 days prior to travel should check with their airlines about any restrictions for entry into their destination country.