March 5: COVID-19 Update
Travel Update from Interim President Laurie Quinn
Dear Campus Community:
Taking into consideration the rapid spread of coronavirus (COVID-19) around the world, Champlain College is updating its travel guidelines for students, faculty, and staff.
Travel to countries with a “Warning Level 3” advisory issued by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), which currently includes China, Italy, Iran, and South Korea, is strongly discouraged. The CDC is advising people to avoid all nonessential travel to these countries. Due to the growing spread of coronavirus, travel to other destinations should be evaluated carefully and taken at your own risk. Since the COVID-19 outbreak is rapidly evolving, the list of countries designated with a “Warning Level 3” is likely to expand at any time and should be checked frequently, even while you are traveling. The latest travel advisories are available here.
Self-Isolation Policies and Guidelines
In order to protect the health of the Champlain community and limit the spread of the virus, students, staff, or faculty who have done any of the following will be required to self-isolate for 14 days after their trip or last contact with a potentially infected person:
- Traveled to a country with a Level 3 advisory
- Been in close contact with a person who is suspected to be infected with or tested positive for COVID-19
Any person who develops symptoms at any point, whether or not they have traveled recently, should contact their healthcare provider. If COVID-19 is suspected, they should self-isolate for 14 days if they live on campus or if suggested by their healthcare provider.
Students required to self-isolate should not attend class, work, social activities, or take public transportation, and should contact their faculty to describe their specific circumstances and request online options for coursework. Self-isolation guidelines for students living in campus housing will be available by contacting Housing and Residential Life in Burlington at reslife@champlain.edu or the Dublin and Montreal campus Directors. Students living off campus should not return to campus unless they have been symptom free for 14 days. Students with questions about self-isolation should contact Susan Waryck, Dean of Students, at swaryck@champlain.edu.
Faculty and staff required to self-isolate should work with their Dean or supervisor to make arrangements to work from home and should not return to campus unless they have been symptom free for 14 days. Faculty and staff with questions about self-isolation should contact their manager or the Vice President of their department.
Note that guidelines for self-isolation are subject to change.
Stay Informed and Be Community-Minded
Any person returning to Vermont from a Level 3 country should also call the Vermont Department of Health at 802-863-7240 so they can follow up with you on your health status and monitor your symptoms.
Let’s all make sure to follow CDC’s guidelines for good hygiene to prevent flu and other communicable diseases like COVID-19.
Travelers are reminded to complete Champlain’s Voluntary Travel Registry. The information gathered will not be shared beyond members of the planning and response team, but collecting your plans allows the Champlain planning and response team to stay informed as conditions evolve.
I appreciate everyone’s continued attention, cooperation, and community-mindedness.
Sincerely,
Laurie Quinn, Ph.D.
Interim President
