IE 11 Not Supported

For optimal browsing, we recommend Chrome, Firefox or Safari browsers.

Coronavirus Prompts Universities to Limit International Travel

The University of Alabama has suspended all non-essential university-sponsored travel to China for students, faculty and staff. The limits were set up due to the outbreak of the coronavirus originating in Wuhan, China.

The University of Alabama
The University of Alabama is suspending travel to China over concerns about the coronavirus.
TNS
(TNS) — Two Alabama universities have suspended or limited international travel due to concerns over the coronavirus.

The University of Alabama has suspended all non-essential university-sponsored travel to China for students, faculty and staff. The limitations were put in place due to the outbreak of the coronavirus originating in Wuhan, China. The university followed recommendations from the U.S. State Department for citizens to limit any travel to China or other areas experiencing an outbreak of COVID-19, the disease caused by coronavirus.

“The UA System has extensive expertise and systems in place to monitor and address possible infectious diseases. However, you should take general precautions like frequent hand washing to prevent the spread of any virus, including seasonal flu, which is still active across Alabama and the U.S. If you have not received a flu shot, it is not too late,” the university told students on an informational website.

Jacksonville State University cancels all international travel

Jacksonville State University has canceled all university-funded international travel until further notice.

“This policy does not apply to personal travel outside of the US, but rather trips organized or sanctioned by the university,” the university said in a statement. “Consulting with a leading expert on biosecurity from our own Emergency Management department, Dr. Jeff Ryan, and in conjunction with the latest data available from state and federal public health agencies, the university believes this is the best decision for our campus at this time.”

Several school-sponsored international trips were planned for the coming months. Cancelling those trips will hopefully “not only prevent the continued spread of infectious disease but also prevent our students, faculty and staff from being quarantined abroad,” the university said.

———

©2020 Alabama Media Group, Birmingham

Visit Alabama Media Group, Birmingham at www.al.com

Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.