Penn State evaluating large events, including Blue-White Game, amid coronavirus
Members of 12 “action groups” convened by Penn State are evaluating whether, amid coronavirus spread concerns, to continue with large gatherings like conferences, faculty events and athletic events — including the annual Blue-White Game.
University administration, faculty and Intercollegiate Athletics leaders are recommending event organizers decide whether to proceed with scheduled events, “though this may change as the situation rapidly develops,” said a Penn State release.
Penn State’s action groups are focusing on a coronavirus response to everything from communications and commencement to summer courses and athletic events.
In general, the university recommends that teams and units planning or overseeing events and large gatherings keep tabs on Penn State and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention guidance, have a contingency plan in place, establish a firm decision date in advance of the event, communicate with event attendees that the situation is being monitored and look at actions that need to be taken to postpone or cancel events.
Penn State canceled all embedded spring break trips last week and advised all students, faculty and staff planning to travel over the break to avoid Level 2 or higher CDC advisory countries. The university is requiring anyone coming to campus after visiting a Level 2 or higher country to self-quarantine for 14 days.
Attendees should receive communication from event organizers to stay home if they are sick, cover coughs and sneezes with a tissue, wash hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds and avoid touching eyes, nose and mouth with unwashed hands, said the release.
Events should be stocked with COVID-19 prevention supplies, like soap, hand sanitizers, tissues and disposable face masks, said the release. Penn State also encouraged event organizers to find a space that can be used to isolate staff or any participants who fall ill during the event.
Penn State Executive Vice President and Provost Nick Jones said in a Thursday release that the university has no plans to alter its “operating schedule” in the future.
“That may change as this situation changes, so we need our community to watch for communications from Penn State over spring break,” he said in the release.
Penn State is on spring break through Friday. Classes will resume March 16.
Cases of coronavirus in the United States have climbed past 600. Ten cases have been identified in Pennsylvania as of Monday afternoon, with eight in southeastern Pennsylvania and two in the northeastern part of the state. Globally, there are more than 113,000 confirmed cases and 3,900 deaths.
This story was originally published March 9, 2020 at 2:35 PM.
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