To: USC Students
From: Sarah Van Orman, Chief Health Officer, USC Student Health, Keck Medicine of USC;
Winston B. Crisp, Vice President for Student Affairs
Date: March 6, 2020
As we approach the upcoming spring break at the end of next week, many of our students, faculty and staff are looking forward to a well-earned break from the pace of the academic year.
Personal travel plans may be part of your activities, and we would like to remind you of the serious situation with COVID-19 as it quickly evolves.
All students, faculty and staff are strongly advised against all international travel – including popular spring break destinations such as Cabo San Lucas and Cancun in Mexico.
Flight cancellations, quarantines and border closures have been implemented by several countries on short notice.
As the COVID-19 situation evolves, the university may send time-sensitive information to you.
- Check your USC email regularly for any important updates and advisories. USC’s Emergency Operations Center will use email to send notifications of any changes to normal operations.
- If you travel internationally, be prepared for mandatory health screenings, flight cancellations, or isolation measures — including the possibility of a required 14-day self-isolation.
- Students, faculty and staff returning from outside the U.S. may be subject to screening and possible self-isolation requirements before returning to campus locations.
- Faculty and staff who are unable to return from personal international travel to expected work responsibilities (due to travel delays or self-isolation requirements) would be required to use accrued vacation or sick time.
- Students who are unable to return to the U.S. may encounter disruptions to their studies due to travel delays or self-isolation requirements.
This is a rapidly evolving situation, and we will share more information about COVID-19 as it becomes available from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health. Updates will be posted to https://usc.edu/coronavirus; a USC hotline is available for any questions: 213-740-6291; email questions may be directed to studenthealth@usc.edu.
cc:
USC Faculty
USC Staff
USC Parents