To: The NYU Community

From: Provost Katherine E. Fleming, Assoc. Vice President for Student Health Dr. Carlo Ciotoli, MD, and Exec. Vice President Martin Dorph

Date: Wednesday, February 5, 2020

We know you've heard from the University multiple times on this topic in the last few days.  This communication contains important new instructions, and we ask you to read it carefully.

New CDC Guidance

General Overview: On Monday, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) issued new guidance that has clarified public health protocols for those who have returned recently from China. In short, the guidance says: anyone entering the US from February 3rd onward who had visited China in the previous 14 days should stay home for a period of two weeks following their last day in China.

  • [Example 1: If you arrived in the US on February 3rd and your last day in China was February 2nd, you would self-isolate until February 16.] 
  • [Example 2: If you arrived in the US on February 3rd and your last day in China was January 26th (ie, you'd been somewhere else in the interim), you would self-isolate until February 9th.]
  • [Example 3: If you arrived in the US on February 3rd and your last day in China was prior to January 22nd, you do not need to self-isolate.]

Students: Any students who 1) entered the US on February 3rd or after and 2) had visited China in the two weeks prior to arrival should not attend class or other activities until a full 14 days has passed from their last day in China.

Specifically:

Housing and Meals

  • Those due to be placed in student housing for the semester should report to the Housing Office -- we have placements available for this purpose.  The University will arrange for meal delivery during the period the students are isolating themselves. 
  • Students who live in off-campus housing should remain at home during the self-isolation period. 

Academic Support

  • The Provost's Office will ensure that students receive whatever academic accommodations and support are necessary for them to be able to keep up with their academic work. Students should contact their academic advisors with any questions or concerns.

Because classes started on January 27th, we do not anticipate having a large number of students in need of isolating themselves.  And we should bear in mind that even for this group, it is unlikely that anyone would come down with the coronavirus illness.

Employees: Any employees who 1) entered the US on February 3rd or after and 2) had visited China in the 14 days prior to arrival should stay home and not report to work until a full 14 days has passed from their last day in China.

The employee should promptly notify his or her supervisor.  This is especially important for faculty -- a department chair or dean must be made aware so that teaching responsibilities can be met in some manner.

Any employee who is staying home in accord with this new CDC direction will be granted paid time off for the period of self-isolation. That is, the days will not need to be charged to sick leave, vacation, or other chargeable paid time off.  Please let your unit administrator know.

NYU Community Members Who Have Been in Hubei

Students and Employees Who Returned to the US from February 3rd Onwards: Students and employees who had been to Hubei and returned to the US on February 3rd or after should follow the guidance above.

Students Who Were in Hubei but Returned Prior to February 3rd: For those students who have visited Hubei Province and returned to campus prior to February 3rd, the University will put in place a program to actively monitor for symptom development; the active monitoring will carry on until a full 14 days has passed from the last date the student was in Hubei.  These students should purchase thermometers; if a student cannot readily find a thermometer available for purchase, the Student Health Center can provide one.  The Student Health Center will reach out to these students with further instructions, but, in accordance with this most recent CDC guidance, they can otherwise go about their regular activities. Please note: if your last day in Hubei was prior to January 22nd, you are exempt.

Employees Who Were in Hubei but Returned Prior to February 3rd: For employees who have visited Hubei Province and returned to campus prior to February 3rd, we advise that they monitor their own temperature and watch for other symptoms related to the coronavirus until a full 14 days has passed from the last date they were in Hubei.  If an employee develops a fever or any of the other symptoms related to the coronavirus, he or she should promptly contact his or her healthcare provider; however, other than that, in accordance with this most recent CDC guidance, these employees can otherwise go about their regular activities.  Please note: if your last day in Hubei was prior to January 22nd, you are exempt.

NYU Community Members Who Have Been in Parts of China Other than Hubei and Returned Prior to February 3rd

Students and employees who have been to China - but not to Hubei – since January 20th and returned to the US prior to February 3rd can go about their regular activities.  However, they should be mindful of their health, and if they start developing symptoms associated with the coronavirus – coughing, breathing difficulties, fever – they should contact the Student Health Center promptly (212.443.1000, in the case of students) or their primary care physician (in the case of employees)

Concluding Thoughts

The steps we are taking are in line with the most up-to-date guidance from government health authorities.  They are meant to safeguard the health of the individuals who have traveled from China as well as the broader NYU community.

The emergence of a new illness can be a source of stress or worry.  Please remember that the Wellness Exchange is available to students and our employee assistance program, Carebridge, is available for employees

As we said when we wrote to you on Monday, we should be supportive of those whose lives, work, and studies may be disrupted by these public health protocols.  We should remember that these are members of our community -- colleagues, peers, classmates, friends -- and they are entitled to the same dignity and decent treatment today as at any other time.  

If you have questions about how this guidance applies to you, please call the Student Health Center at 212.443.1000.