URGENT INFORMATION FOR ANYONE WHO HAS TRAVELED SINCE MARCH 1

Additional Information From The Minnesota State System

Minnesota State

Developing Guidance for Students, Faculty, and Staff Returning to Campus 

Amid the COVID-19 Outbreak

March 14, 2020

This message was sent from Minnesota State to system colleges and universities on March 14, 2020.

General:  The COVID-19 outbreak represents a host of challenges to our colleges and universities and the health and well-being of our students, faculty and staff.  We must welcome and be supportive of all as we enter into the remainder of this academic term and ‘new normal’ conditions. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has updated their Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) Travel Information and now most countries in Europe are now been designated at Level 3 (Warning, Avoid Nonessential Travel)along with China, Iran, and South Korea.  The rest of the world, including the United States, has now been designated at Level 2(Practice Enhanced Precautions) as a Global Outbreak Notice.

Travel – Level 3 Counties including China, South Korea, Iran and most of Europe:  Messaging for all students, faculty and staff who have travelled to Level 3 destinations during the past 14 days should:

• Self-report your recent travel
• Stay home for 14 days from the time you return from travel, monitor your health and practice social distancing. Avoid contact with others.
• Take your temperature with a thermometer two times a day and monitor for fever. Also watch for cough or trouble breathing. If you get sick with fever (100.4°F/38°C or higher), cough, or have trouble breathing, seek medical advice.
• Keep your distance from others (about 6 feet or 2 meters).
• Call ahead before you go to a doctor’s office or emergency room.
• Tell your doctor about your recent travel and your symptoms.
• Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue when coughing or sneezing.
• Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. If soap and water are not readily available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol. Soap and water should be used if hands are visibly dirty.

Faculty and staff who have traveled to a Level 3 destination, should contact their supervisor.

Students should remain at home for the 14-day period and contact Student Services and their individual faculty for instructions on coursework for this period.

Travel – Level 2 Countries including the United States:  Messaging for all students, faculty and staff who have travelled to Level 2 destinations or domestically in the U.S. during the past 14 days should:

• Monitor your health and practice social distancing. Social distancing means staying out of crowded places, avoiding group gatherings, and maintaining distance (approximately 6 feet or 2 meters) from others when possible.
• If you get sick with fever (100.4°F/38°C or higher), cough, or have trouble breathing:
• Seek medical advice.
• Call ahead before going to a doctor’s office or emergency room.
• Tell your doctor about your recent travel and your symptoms.
• Avoid contact with others.
• Do not travel while sick.
• Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue when coughing or sneezing.
• Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. If soap and water are not readily available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol. Soap and water should be used if hands are visibly dirty.

If you have questions regarding exposure as a result of travel, Minnesota Department of Health asks you to call 651-201-5414 or 877-676-5414 for guidance.

IF YOU GET SICK

If you get sick with fever (100.4°F/38°C or higher), cough, or have trouble breathing, seek medical advice.

• • All employees who have traveled to a Level 3 destination should contact their supervisor.
• Tell the doctor about your recent travel and your symptoms.
• Avoid contact with others.
• Do not travel while sick.
• Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue when coughing or sneezing.
• Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. If soap and water are not readily available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol. Soap and water should be used if hands are visibly dirty.

Mental Health, Stress and Anxiety:  This is a stressful time for all of us. Offer students, faculty, and staff connections to mental health and other support services.

• CDC-Managing Stress and Anxiety Resources
• MMB Employee Assistance Program