In a letter to the University of Maryland, Baltimore community, Interim President Bruce E. Jarrell, MD, FACS, explains new procedures affecting travelers from China.

These procedures were imposed in response to the outbreak of respiratory illness caused by a novel (new) coronavirus (2019-nCoV) first reported in Wuhan, Hubei Province, China. Thousands of cases have since been confirmed in China, and additional cases have been identified in a growing number of international locations, including the United States.

Feb. 1, 2020   Dear Colleagues:   The University has received questions concerning monitoring for 2019 Novel Coronavirus from members of our community who have returned to or are arriving at the University and have recently been in China. In response, the University adopts the following procedure to support faculty, staff, students, and visitors. This procedure covers members of the University community regardless of whether they were in China for University business or personal travel, as well as visitors coming to the University from China to participate in scholarly activities. This procedure is aligned with the January 31, 2020, declaration by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services of a Public Health Emergency for the nation.   ARRIVING FROM CHINA ON OR AFTER JANUARY 15, 2020: Faculty, staff, students, or visitors arriving from China on or after January 15, 2020, should not return to campus until 14 days after their arrival in the U.S. This is an expectation of the University for those arriving between January 15 and February 2. It is an expectation of the University and a requirement of the United States for those arriving on or after February 2.   We ask that you make your supervisor aware and then contact UMaryland Immediate Care (UMIC) at (667) 214-1899 to speak with a clinician. The clinical team will discuss symptom recognition and how to arrange to be seen should symptoms arise. The office will also arrange for a follow-up appointment at UMIC at the end of the 14-day period. You will be given clearance to return to your regular work/school duties at the end of the 14-day period.   Please note that we are acutely aware of the difficulty that this action places upon the individual and the office/department/area in which you work. We thank you in advance for placing the safety of your friends, colleagues and community above your individual needs during this very difficult time.   At your request, we will also work with your supervisor or professor to help arrange work/school accommodations while you are away from campus.   ARRIVING FROM CHINA BEFORE JANUARY 15, 2020: Faculty, staff, students, or visitors who arrived from China prior to January 15, 2020, do not need to take any additional action unless they feel sick with fever, cough, or difficulty breathing. If you are sick, please contact UMIC at (667) 214-1899.  Please advise UMIC that you are calling regarding recent travel from China and have flu-like symptoms. UMIC will arrange for a health care provider to speak with you about your recent travel to China and determine whether you need to be seen in person.   UMaryland Immediate Care is located at 408 W. Lombard St. in Baltimore. Faculty, staff, students, and visitors will not be charged for this medical review. The University stands ready to provide support to the community and its visitors. As events unfold, we will do our best to keep you informed of any changes in procedures and mandates. I encourage everyone to approach this evolving situation in a calm and thoughtful manner.   Sincerely,   Bruce E. Jarrell, MD, FACS Interim President