Dear Members of the Yale Community:
 
Yale University continues to closely monitor the evolving novel coronavirus (abbreviated 2019-nCoV) outbreak that is centered in China. To date, there are no confirmed cases in Connecticut, and health officials stress that the risk of infection remains low. However, the situation continues to evolve. 

Last night, the U.S. Department of State issued a “Level 4: Do Not Travel” warning for China. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has classified China as “Level 3: Avoid Nonessential Travel.” In order to protect the health and safety of our community at home and abroad, and in accordance with the CDC and State Department guidance, we are issuing the following guidance for the Yale community:
 
Yale travel to China 

• We strongly recommend that faculty, students, and staff reschedule or cancel all university and personal travel to China between now and April. This includes academic programs, extracurricular programs, executive education programs, and all other Yale-affiliated travel.
• In accordance with the Yale College travel policy, students will not receive credit or funding for activities involving travel in China. 
• Student groups are not permitted to travel to China.
• Travelers to other locations in the region may encounter delays as a result of steps taken in those areas.  

Travel from China to Yale 

• Travelers arriving from China are being screened by U.S. health officials for symptoms as they enter the U.S. and provided with information by the CDC. If they are not showing signs of illness, they are deemed eligible to enter the country and can carry out normal daily activities.
• If a traveler does not have symptoms they should closely monitor their health status daily, but do not require isolation at this time.
• If a traveler has arrived within the past 14 days and is experiencing flu-like symptoms, including fever, cough, congestion or shortness of breath OR has had contact with a known case of 2019-nCoV in China, the traveler should CALL Yale Health at 203-432-0123 so that the medical staff can provide further direction. 
• Schools, centers, and departments should be aware of newly arriving scholars or visitors from China and direct them to information on the Yale Health website (https://yalehealth.yale.edu/).  
• Students and scholars from China are an important part of the Yale community. We understand that some may feel anxiety and stress and we ask everyone to be supportive of each other as this situation evolves.  
• If CDC guidance regarding travelers from China should change, we will implement this guidance accordingly.

Yale travelers currently in China

• We have been in contact with the small number of Yale students, faculty, and staff who registered their travel to China. Many have already decided to depart because their programs have been closed for the term. 
• Anyone remaining in China should follow directives of local authorities, avoid contact with people who are ill, avoid animals and animal markets, and wash your hands frequently with soap and water or alcohol-based hand sanitizer. If you feel ill, call International SOS at +1-215-942-8478 or connect through the ISOS assistance app. ISOS can provide advice and direct you to appropriate medical resources. 
• The Yale Center Beijing has been closed for the Chinese New Year holiday and will remain closed as long as necessary. The Center will not be hosting visitors for any events in February or March.  

You can find updated information about 2019-nCoV and recommendations at these sites:
CDC: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/
WHO: https://www.who.int/emergencies/diseases/novel-coronavirus-2019

We also want to urge you to check the Yale Health website (https://yalehealth.yale.edu/) for updated information including FAQs and important advice regarding seasonal influenza (flu). 

We will continue to monitor the situation and will send updates as needed.
 
Sincerely,

Scott Strobel
Provost and Henry Ford II Professor of Molecular Biophysics and Biochemistry

Janet Lindner
Vice President for Human Resources & Administration

Pericles Lewis
Vice President and Vice Provost for Global Strategy and Douglas Tracy Smith Professor of Comparative Literature