COVID-19 Update: Travel Guidance

February 28, 2020

Dear Colleagues:

I write with an important update regarding the novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) and steps we are taking to support the health of the Pitt community.

As you may know, the Centers for Disease Control and the U.S. Department of State have increased their travel advisories for China, Iran, Italy, Japan, and South Korea. In light of these developments, the University of Pittsburgh discourages all non-essential travel to Iran, Italy, Japan, and South Korea, and — in accordance with the U.S. Department of State’s Travel Advisories — endorses the current “Do Not Travel” to China directive. We ask that members of the Pitt community who return from China, Iran, Italy, Japan, or South Korea, practice voluntary social distancing for a period of 14 days.

For the safety and well-being of everyone in our community, we strongly advise that anyone traveling internationally register their trips with the University of Pittsburgh International SOS Travel Registry System. We also encourage all Pitt travelers to carefully monitor this situation and follow the advice of the U.S. Department of State, the CDC, and the University of Pittsburgh Office of Public Safety & Emergency Management.

Pitt Global Operations Support is available to provide guidance. If you need assistance, please contact Ian McLaughlin, the Global Operations Support Manager.

As an update, like many other universities, Pitt has temporarily halted spring and spring break study abroad programming in China, Iran, Italy, Japan, and South Korea, due to current travel restrictions. Pitt’s Study Abroad Office remains in contact with students in all study abroad programs, especially those in areas with Level 3 and 4 travel advisories. Jeff Whitehead is the point of contact for study abroad programing.

These are challenging days for the University, and the world at large. Working together, we will continue to make the most informed decisions possible in what is a very dynamic terrain. In the interest of keeping our community informed, I thank you in advance for promptly forwarding this vital information to your faculty and staff.

Best,

Ann


Ann E. Cudd
Provost and Senior Vice Chancellor

Professor of Philosophy