Coronavirus disrupts spring break travel for Houston-area colleges

(FILES) In this file photo taken on February 27, 2020 this handout illustration image obtained February 27, 2020 courtesy of the National Institutes of Health taken with a transmission electron microscope shows SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19, isolated from a patient in the US, as Virus particles are shown emerging from the surface of cells cultured in the lab - the spikes on the outer edge of the virus particles give coronaviruses their name, crown-like. - New research from Singapore published March 4, 2020 showed that patients with the novel coronavirus extensively contaminate their bedrooms and bathrooms, underscoring the need to routinely clean high-touch surfaces, basins and toilet bowls. On the other hand, the virus was killed by twice-a-day cleaning of surfaces and daily cleaning of floors with a commonly used disinfectant, which suggests that current decontamination measures are sufficient as long as people adhere to them. (Photo by Handout / National Institutes of Health / AFP) / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE - MANDATORY CREDIT "AFP PHOTO /NATIONAL INSTITUTES OF HEALTH/NIAID-RML/HANDOUT " - NO MARKETING - NO ADVERTISING CAMPAIGNS - DISTRIBUTED AS A SERVICE TO CLIENTS (Photo by HANDOUT/National Institutes of Health/AFP via Getty Images) less (FILES) In this file photo taken on February 27, 2020 this handout illustration image obtained February 27, 2020 courtesy of the National Institutes of Health taken with a transmission electron microscope shows ... more Photo: HANDOUT, Contributor / National Institutes Of Health/AFP Via Getty Images Photo: HANDOUT, Contributor / National Institutes Of Health/AFP Via Getty Images Image 1 of / 102 Caption Close Coronavirus disrupts spring break travel for Houston-area colleges 1 / 102 Back to Gallery

As spring break approaches, international travel is restricted or prohibited at Houston’s colleges and universities and in some cases personal international travel must be reported in response to the coronavirus outbreak.

All campuses urge good hygiene, including frequent hand washing and thoroughly cleaning and disinfecting surfaces like desks, keyboards, counters and cell phones.

Here’s a breakdown by institution on travel guidelines:

University of Houston System

University of Houston students, faculty and staff who plan to travel internationally for spring break must report so in a UH international travel registry.

On HoustonChronicle.com: Texas colleges ramp up coronavirus travel restrictions, cancellations

Whether for a vacation or returning home, the university asks everyone traveling internationally to “know that situations and conditions surrounding COVID-19 are dynamic and could change while you are traveling, potentially complicating return logistics.”

Classes have not been impacted by COVID-19, but in a page of frequently asked questions, UH officials explain why some people on campus are wearing masks.

“It is common in many cultures, including in the U.S., for individuals to choose to wear masks as a way to minimize direct contact with airborne pathogens. The wearing of a mask is voluntary and should not be interpreted as an indication that the wearer is ill.”

More Information Travel health notices scale Level 1 (Watch) - Exercise normal precautions. This includes being up-to-date on all recommended vaccines. Level 2 (Alert) - Practice enhanced precautions. Defines a specific at-risk population Level 3 (Warning) - Avoid nonessential travel. The outbreak is of high risk to travelers and no precautions are available to protect against the identified increased risk. Sources: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

Baylor College of Medicine

College-sponsored international travel is restricted as of 12:01 a.m. Friday, according to the medical school’s updated coronavirus preparedness plan. And anyone who has planned personal travel “will be subject to a 14-day furlough” if they have traveled to Japan, Mainland China, South Korea, Iran and Italy.

Baylor is requiring all clinical faculty to take a continuing medical education course on COVID-19. Residents and fellows at the medical college “will not be involved in the direct care of patients with COVID-19 in either in-patient or out-patient settings at this time. This is the same procedure we followed when there was an Ebola epidemic in 2014-2016,” according to the college’s coronavirus guidelines.

Rice University

This week Rice suspended all university-sponsored student travel and spring break trips to foreign countries until the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention lifts travel restrictions related to coronavirus.

On HoustonChronicle.com: Keep up-to-date on coronavirus in the Houston metro area

A Rice University research associate is one of five coronavirus patients in the Houston metro area. All of the cases are linked to foreign travel, local health officials say. The Rice employee, who had limited contact with 14 Rice doctoral students, faculty and staff, recently visited Egypt.

After coming in limited contact with the employee Feb. 24-25, the 14 have been in self-quarantine away from campus. None have reported symptoms and the quarantine is expected to be lifted next week if no symptons occur, Rice President David Leebron said in a statement Thursday.

Houston Community College

“Spring break season is near and many HCC students, faculty, and staff are expected to travel during that time. It is best to practice healthy habits including frequent hand washing, covering your mouth and nose when coughing or sneezing, and avoiding contact with sick people,” the college’s coronavirus webpage advises.

HCC has a self-reporting form for any student, faculty or staff to complete if they have coronavirus symptoms.

Lone Star College System

Lone Star College is closely tracking the outbreak, and will continue to monitor the situation, its campus alert says. The system also encourages proper hygeine and follows CDC safety guidelines.

Texas Southern University

Texas Southern modified a study abroad program based in China so staff and students will not travel to East Asia this summer, a university official said.

Texas A&M University System

The A&M system created a mandatory travel registry for all individuals who travel internationally. Spring break travel poses a particular concern, according to the university’s coronavirus alert.

Prairie View A&M canceled and postponed remaining spring break study abroad trips until later in the semester, a university spokeswoman said.

The system is canceling all university-sponsored student study abroad spring programs to Level 1, 2 and 3 countries. For faculty and staff, “only mission-critical travel to countries Level 1 or above will be considered and will require prior high-level institutional approval.”

In addition to registering on the website, anyone who has international travel must self quarantine off campus for two weeks.

Texas A&M campuses remain open and are operating on a normal schedule, the university said in its March 5 update. “We understand the increased anxiety on our campuses and throughout the community. TAMU administration is actively monitoring and responding to the situation and will continue to follow the guidance of public health agencies.”

University of St. Thomas

The University of St. Thomas in Houston canceled study abroad trips to Argentina and Jamaica, spokeswoman Sandra Soliz this week . “The university will continue to monitor planned destinations for summer studies abroad,” she said.

Baylor University

Baylor has postponed university-sponsored travel to Italy, China and South Korea. And any faculty, staff or student who travels internationally on Baylor funds or business must register with the university’s Center for Global Engagement.

Staff writers Brittany Britto and Robert Downen contributed to this report.