From the University System of Georgia: https://www.usg.edu/coronavirus
Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) Updates for the University System of Georgia
Last Updated: Thursday, March 12, 2020 - 5:08pm EDT
Georgia Governor Brian Kemp today announced state agencies, school systems and local communities have been given the flexibility to implement closures.
Effective Monday, March 16, 2020, all University System of Georgia institutions will temporarily suspend instruction for two weeks to allow time for USG institutions to test their business continuity plans and online instruction modules and for state officials to continue to assess the current situation regarding coronavirus (COVID-19) in Georgia.
Students who are currently on spring break are strongly encouraged not to return to campus. Students on campus are asked to depart campus by close of business Friday, March 13, 2020, and to remain away from campus until March 29, 2020. At this time, students are not being asked to move out of their dorms for the remainder of the semester. For students who are unable to leave campus, institutions have been asked to develop plans to safely accommodate those students on campus.
As circumstances change, the USG is providing regular updates to its institutions and the public on this site.
We take very seriously the responsibility to make prudent choices for the well-being of our USG community. We have been actively monitoring the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) situation in conjunction with the governor’s office, the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) and the Georgia Department of Public Health (DPH).
While we understand the concerns around COVID-19, it is extremely important our campus communities stay calm and not panic. Public health officials, including those from DPH and CDC, continue to stress the overall risk level in Georgia associated with COVID-19 is low.
You can look for updates from the USG on this site, from the CDC, and from the Georgia DPH.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has issued an update on people at risk for serious illness from COVID-19. The updated guidance is as follows:
Warning - Level 3, Avoid Nonessential Travel—Widespread Sustained Transmission Key Points
• On March 11, President Donald Trump announced a ban on most travel from Europe, excluding the United Kingdom. The exceptions are outlined in the Presidential proclamation. • Europe is experiencing widespread sustained transmission of respiratory illness caused by COVID-19. • CDC recommends that travelers avoid all nonessential travel to the specified countries in Europe. See: What countries are included in this notice. • CDC also continues to advise against travel to previously designated Warning Level 3 or higher countries: China, South Korea, Italy and Iran. • Older adults and people of any age with serious chronic medical conditions are at increased risk for severe disease. • Travelers should avoid contact with sick people and wash their 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. • Travelers returning from the specified countries in Europe must stay home for 14 days after returning from travel, monitor their health, and practice social distancing. • Travelers who are sick with fever, cough, or have trouble breathing should call ahead before seeking medical care.
Travel notices are updated at this CDC website.
If you are at higher risk of getting very sick from COVID-19, the CDC recommends: • Stock up on supplies. • Take everyday precautions to keep space between yourself and others. • When you go out in public, keep away from others who are sick, limit close contact and wash your hands often. • Avoid crowds as much as possible. • Avoid cruise travel and non-essential air travel. • During a COVID-19 outbreak in your community, stay home as much as possible to further reduce your risk of being exposed.
Who is at Higher Risk? Early information out of China, where COVID-19 first started, shows that some people are at higher risk of getting very sick from this illness. This includes: • Older adults • People who have serious chronic medical conditions like: o Heart disease o Diabetes o Lung disease
For the latest updates from the CDC, visit the COVID-19 website.
The Georgia Department of Public Health (DPH) continues to advise that there is a low risk of COVID-19 transmission in Georgia.
