To: USC Faculty and Staff
From: Anthony Bailey, Vice President for Strategic and Global Initiatives
January 31, 2020
I want to make sure that all employees receive timely and accurate information about the travel advisory regarding the 2019 Novel Coronavirus. The U.S. Department of State has issued a Level 4 travel advisory for China advising U.S. citizens not to travel to China at this time. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention also has advised against non-essential travel.
When the U.S. State Department raised the travel advisory status to Level 3, we suspended university-related student travel to China.
Now that the United States is at a Level 4 travel advisory, the university is directing faculty and staff to postpone any non-essential, university-related travel to China until these travel warnings are lifted.
We understand there are university faculty and staff who may need to travel for research, patient care, or other essential issues related to the 2019 Novel Coronavirus. If you plan to travel to China, you should contact me at (213) 740-2852 so the university is aware of your plans.
We may have to put further restrictions in place as the situation evolves.
I also wanted to take this opportunity to remind you of the travel safety information we provide for our community. We have information available about travel safety and policies in several places, including our duty of care program, emergency support, insurance and International SOS. Detailed information is available on the Travel & Expense section of the Business Services website. The USC Office of Compliance offers important information on complying with international travel restrictions.
We will continue to update you on the situation on the university’s website.
Cc: President’s Office
Academic Deans
President’s Senior Leadership Team
Provost’s Leadership Team
Staff Assembly
GSG President
USG President