All,
In accordance with evolving guidance from The Texas A&M University System, Texas A&M AgriLife is updating limitations on all foreign travel by Texas A&M System students, faculty and staff while the outbreak of COVID-19 remains a dynamically changing and uncertain situation.
All university and agency-sponsored travel outside the U.S. should be halted between March 16, 2020 and May 1, 2020, with limited exceptions. Any critical exceptions must be approved in advance by senior administrators.
Additionally, requests for approval of visiting scholars to travel to the U.S. are being held by International Faculty and Scholar Services until there is more clarity on the risks associated with such travel.
Previous guidance applies before March 16
Before March 16, please abide by the previous guidance limiting System sponsored travel to any country identified as a Level 1-3 risk by the CDC. The only exception is for “mission-critical” personnel working on the response to COVID-19. All students, faculty and staff should return from all Level 1-3 countries as soon as practical.
Self-isolate if needed
Those who are returning from or through Level 2 or Level 3 countries must self-isolate for at least 14 days before returning to the workplace. This includes personal travel, which should be reported to the AgriLife Office of Ethics and Compliance as soon as possible.
Faculty members with students in self-isolation are encouraged to find digital ways to enable those students keep up in class.
Helpful resources
- CDC COVID-19 travel page
- U.S. Department of State travel advisories
- Texas A&M University coronavirus page
- CDC: Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19)
- WHO: Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) outbreak
- AgriLife Extension coronavirus information
CDC-recommended preventive measures
- Avoid close contact with people who are sick.
- Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth.
- Stay home when you are sick.
- Cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue, then throw the tissue in the trash.
- Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces using a regular household cleaning spray or wipe.
- Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, especially after going to the bathroom; before eating; and after blowing your nose, coughing, or sneezing.
- If soap and water are not readily available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol. Always wash hands with soap and water if hands are visibly dirty.
Please contact the AgriLife Office of Ethics and Compliance with questions at 979-845-4789 or 979-845-7879.
Patrick J. Stover, Ph.D.
Vice Chancellor and Dean for Agriculture and Life Sciences, Texas A&M AgriLife
Director, Texas A&M AgriLife Research