US State Department Removes Worldwide Global Health Advisory

August 07, 2020

On August 6, the US Department of State removed its worldwide Level 4: Do not travel Global Health Advisory, reverting to its previous approach of providing travel advisories on a country by country basis. Some countries remain at Level 4: Do not travel due to the COVID-19 pandemic or other serious security concerns. The  Centers for Disease Control and Prevention simultaneously removed its worldwide Level 3: Global Health advisory, assessing COVID-19 risk on a country by country basis. Most countries remain at Level 3: COVID-19 Risk is high. International travel remains prohibited for all Drexel students, faculty and staff. 

Drexel continues prohibted international travel for Fall 2020

July 15, 2020

Due to the ongoing challenges for international travel presented by the COVID-19 pandemic and in support of worldwide public health efforts to contain its spread, Drexel has cancelled all Fall term international programming. This includes international co-op placements, all education abroad programs, and all student organization international travel. Faculty and staff international travel is also cancelled until further notice. For more information, please visit the Drexel Response to Coronavirus website. 

Summer Term International Programming Cancelled

April 10, 2020

Amidst continuing concerns about the viability of international travel and in support of worldwide public health efforts to contain the spread of COVID-19, Drexel has cancelled all summer international programming. This includes international co-op placements, all study abroad programs, and all student organization international travel. Faculty and staff international travel is also cancelled until further notice. For more information, please visit Drexel's Response to Coronavirus webpage.

State Department Issues Global Health Advisory

March 31, 2020

The United States Department of State has issued a Level 4 Do Not Travel Global Health Advisory due to the COVID-19 pandemic and restrictions on travel. While many countries have a lower level of infection than the United States, widespread government restrictions for travel and the elimination of commercial flights makes it increasingly difficult for travelers to return to the United States. All known Drexel travelers have been strongly encouraged to return to their homes or the United States. 

International Travel Ban Instituted

March 10, 2020

Due to the growing number of cases of COVID-19 worldwide and concerns about the viability of international travel and its impact on public health, Drexel has made the very difficult decision to cancel all spring term international travel. This includes international co-op placements, all study abroad programs for the spring term, all student organization international travel and faculty and staff international travel. Students who are currently abroad on Drexel-affiliated programs will be permitted to stay to complete their programs. Questions about the international travel ban should be directed to the Provost's Office. Please visit the University's website dedicated to Coronavirus for more information. 

Update on Drexel COVID-19 Monitoring and Restrictions

March 02, 2020

Drexel International Health, Safety and Security continues with its close monitoring of the global spread of COVID-19. Drexel is currently restricting travel to China, South Korea and Italy unless approved by the Provost.

Following guidance from the Centers for Disease Control the University is reviewing carefully the locations of all student international programs, as Drexel has been doing since the beginning of the outbreak. This includes following the specific country-level guidance from the CDC and State Department Advisories levels for individual countries where we may have or anticipate having travelers.  

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.