University Travel to China on Hold; Coronavirus Information Website Launches

The University of Maryland has stopped authorizing travel to China until further notice, and suspended Education Abroad programming in China for undergraduates for Spring 2020 due to concern about the outbreak of coronavirus in China and its spread abroad, Senior Vice President and Provost Mary Ann Rankin said yesterday in an email to the campus community.

The university yesterday also launched a new web page, umd.edu/virusinfo, to serve as the primary source of information about virus transmission prevention and guidelines for absences from campus. It also includes FAQs and links to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and other health resources, as well as current information about the university’s actions and responses to coronavirus.

Among these actions, enhanced efforts to perform additional cleaning and disinfection of high-touch surfaces and restrooms throughout the campus are continuing. In addition, faculty were given guidance yesterday on ways to accommodate students who may temporarily need to complete assignments remotely.

No cases of coronavirus have been confirmed on campus or in the state of Maryland.

Rankin urged everyone to observe best practices for preventing incidences of the flu and other illnesses within our community. “I want to remind everyone that our University Health Center always strongly recommends that anyone who is ill or thinks they may be ill should stay home from class and from work and seek medical care, as necessary,” she said.

UMD continues to consult with coronavirus experts at the University of Maryland, Baltimore, but all testing will be coordinated through the CDC and local and state health departments.

Read Rankin’s full email at https://umd.edu/virusinfo.