Coronavirus communications

UTA continues to closely monitor the coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak and wants to be as helpful as possible in addressing questions about this developing situation.

That is why we are sharing important information about actions UTA is taking, and providing you with the latest health, safety and travel recommendations from UT System, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and U.S. Department of State.

Updated UTA information on this evolving situation will also be available at www.uta.edu/coronavirus.

Until further notice, all university-sponsored international travel for students, faculty and staff must be reviewed by the UTA International Oversight Committee (IOC). Evaluations will be based on the CDC Travel Health Notice Warning Level. As of March 3, 2020, CDC recommends:

travelers avoid all nonessential travel to China, Iran, South Korea and Italy
older adults or those who have chronic medical conditions consider postponing travel to Japan
travelers should practice usual precautions during travel to Hong Kong

Any questions regarding study abroad and UTA IOC approvals should be directed to Jay Horn, Executive Director of International Education.

In accordance with guidance from the UT System, effective immediately UTA students, faculty and staff are required to report to UTA any scheduled personal travel to a country with a CDC Level 2 or 3 travel warning. Personal travel information must be reported as soon as possible through the international travel form.

Individuals returning to UTA from a country with a CDC Level 2 or 3 travel warning will have to self-isolate off-campus for 14 days before returning to class or work. Upon the date of return indicated in your travel submission, you will be contacted by UTA Health Services with further directions related to your quarantine check-ins and release to return to campus. Prior to release by Health Services you must remain quarantined at an off-campus location provided in your submission.

The University is committed to providing assistance to any individuals finding themselves in this situation. We also are informing returning Mavericks that they are not to visit UTA Health Services without calling the clinic first. Caregivers will provide telephone consultation and work with our local and regional health departments to provide appropriate care for symptomatic individuals.

Travelers should also consider how their planned trips may affect their ability to return to the United States and to campus. If trip cancellation insurance is available, travelers should consider purchasing it in case last-minute cancellation is needed. This continues to be a rapidly evolving situation and it is difficult to anticipate what the future may hold.

Those traveling should allot additional time for airport screening measures, which generally include temperature checks and questionnaires, and should follow directives from authorities. No one should travel while sick, lest they risk additional screening measures, potential entry denial, and quarantine. Additionally, anyone who is sick risks spreading germs and infection to others.

UTA’s top priority is to protect the health and safety of all of our students, faculty, staff and visitors during this evolving and unusual situation. We will continue to closely monitor the latest guidance and follow the recommendations of the UT System, CDC and U.S. Department of State.

We always recommend our community members follow CDC and public health guidelines, which are similar to what is recommended during flu and cold season, including:

Stay home if you are sick and seek medical attention.
Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue or your sleeve when coughing or sneezing.
Wash your hands with soap and water or an alcohol-based hand sanitizer.
Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth.
Avoid contact with others who are sick.

While there is understandable concern and widespread news coverage of coronavirus, there also has been a great deal of rumors and misinformation.

The World Health Organization has created a myth-busters site, while the CDC has a “Know the Facts” site to combat rumors about the virus and its transmission.

UTA is working in close coordination with the UT System and public health agencies, and we will continue to monitor guidelines and recommendations from the CDC and others.

In addition, several offices at UTA are actively monitoring the latest guidance and coordinating activities and planning, including the Office of the President, Student Affairs, Academic Affairs, International Education, Health Services, Human Resources and Emergency Management, among others. We will continue to share information as developments warrant.