Penn State releases new requirements for returning travelers in wake of coronavirus outbreak
Penn State on Saturday released new guidance and requirements for travelers who are returning from countries with a widespread novel coronavirus outbreak.
The university will require a 14-day quarantine period for travelers from China, Italy, South Korea and Iran — countries labeled by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention as “Level 3” based on widespread transmission of new coronavirus, named COVID-19. Faculty and staff travel to those countries has been restricted, and Penn State “strongly discourages personal travel to these countries,” according to a press release.
Penn State is also working to bring students home from Italy, which was recently elevated to a Level 3 country. Faculty and staff travel to the country would require approval from the provost or university risk officer, according to a press release.
Students and employees who traveled to a Level 3 country must isolate themselves from others in their place of dwelling while monitoring for signs and symptoms of illness, which include fever, cough and shortness of breath.
The quarantine period is consistent with CDC recommendations, according to the release.
“These actions are being taken to protect the health of the Penn State community and to assist in preventing the spread of the novel coronavirus on and near our campuses,” the release stated.
There have been no reported cases of COVID-19 in Pennsylvania. The U.S. has about 60 confirmed cases of the COVID-19 virus, which first appeared in late 2019 in Wuhan, China, and the first U.S. death was confirmed Saturday in Seattle.
Travelers returning from a country with a CDC “Alert Level 2” or “watch” level should follow recommendations including maintaining vigilant hygiene practices, self-monitoring for symptoms and assessing temperature twice per day for 14 days after return.
For more information about Penn State’s requirements and recommendations for travelers, visit https://sites.psu.edu/virusinfo/.
This story was originally published March 1, 2020 at 5:03 PM.