2020

- 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.
- Update Drexel Travel Restricted Amid Corona Virus Outbreak
  
  January 30, 2020
  
  Drexel International Health, Safety and Security continues to monitor closely the coronavirus outbreak, which is centered in Wuhan, China, but also present throughout that country. Given that the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) now recommends avoiding all nonessential travel to China and the US Department of State has issued a Level 4: Do not travel for all of China, we have decided to restrict all Drexel University faculty, professional staff and student travel to China, effective immediately.
  
  Any faculty, professional staff member or student who wishes to travel to China 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. In addition, all upcoming travel to China for Drexel students is suspended until further notice. This approach follows the current guidance of the CDC, as well as the U.S. State Department.
  
  Faculty and professional staff who have travelers visiting from China to Drexel should be advised that, following guidance from the CDC, all travelers arriving from China will be screened upon arrival for symptoms of coronavirus. If they are not showing signs of illness, they will be permitted to enter and engage in normal activities and interactions. Drexel departments and colleges hosting Chinese visitors should ensure that visitors have information on how to proceed if they become unwell during their visit. Travelers from China who have been in the U.S. for more than 14 days without symptoms are considered to have passed the incubation period for the coronavirus.
- China considered High Risk Travel
  
  January 28, 2020
  
  Due to the current CDC Advisory Level 3: Avoid Non-Essential Travel and the State Department Advisory Level 3 Reconsider Travel, for China, travel to China is now determined to be High Risk by the University Travel Risk Review Committee and upcoming travel to China is prohibited at this time for all Drexel students. Given the uncertainty of the current situation in China with the containment of the corona virus, Drexel strongly discourages faculty and staff from traveling to China at this time. Drexel faculty and staff with upcoming travel plans to China should contact Marcia Henisz for further guidance on the advisability of travel to China. International Health, Safety and Security is actively monitoring developments in China and other affected countries.
- Update Coronavirus in China
  
  January 24, 2020
  
  Following the guidance of the CDC Level 3 Warning and the US Department of State Travel Advisory, Drexel travelers are advised to restrict all travel to Wuhan and the entire Hubei Province. Drexel travelers with upcoming plans to visit China or other impacted countries may contact Marcia Henisz for more information and updates as this is a rapidly evolving situation. If you are a Drexel traveler who has recently been in China or one of the other affected countries abroad, please contact the Student Health Center so you can take part in any health screening. Drexel IHSS will continue to follow closely developments as governments and health organizations including the WHO and CDC work to contain the spread of this disease.
  
  Any travelers through major hub airports may experience additional screening and should be cautious about travelling while sick during this time.
- Coronavirus in China and parts of Asia
  
  January 21, 2020
  
  Drexel International Health, Safety and Security is following closely the news of the outbreak of Coronavirus in Wuhan, China. Additional cases have been reported in Beijing and Guangdong province and very limited cases in Thailand, South Korea, Japan and in the US (Washington state). Drexel does not have any registered travelers in Wuhan nor have any known travelers that have been in Wuhan in the past three weeks. The CDC raised its risk assessment to Level 2: Practice Enhanced Precautions. The CDC is carefully monitoring the situation and working with the WHO. Drexel IHSS is reviewing carefully the news and any impact that it may have on known Drexel travelers in the region.
- Heightened Security Tensions in the Middle East
  
  January 04, 2020
  
  Following US airstrikes in Baghdad, Iraq, Drexel International Health, Safety and Security is monitoring closely the heightened security in the region. Drexel IHSS has reached out to all known Drexel travelers in Israel to provide additional travel guidance.