In an ongoing effort to ensure optimal safety during the developing COVID-19 (novel coronavirus) situation, Keck Medicine of USC and the Keck School of Medicine of USC are implementing a temporary ban on business travel for all international and domestic trips effective immediately.
By limiting exposure to COVID-19, especially travel-related exposure, the health system hopes to maintain the safety of patients, staff, faculty and students while contributing to the country’s overall containment strategies.
Additionally, all faculty and staff are strongly advised against personal travel to international destinations during this time.
Employees returning to work from travel to any Level 2 or 3 CDC travel-warning areas — which include China, South Korea, Japan, Italy and Iran — could risk not being allowed to re-enter the country and may be required to self-isolate at home.
All employees and allied health practitioners who have traveled outside of the country for either personal or business reasons are required to contact Employee Health Services prior to returning to work.
These policy changes are occurring in conjunction with updates to USC policies related to COVID-19. USC policies may change again in the future, depending on how the situation develops. Currently the following measures stand:
- Online classes will continue after Spring Recess through April 13.
- Students who remain on campus during Spring Recess will have access to residence halls, clinics, libraries and recreational facilities according to the usual Spring Recess schedules. Dining hall hours and locations are available at this link.
- All university-sponsored events, on and off campus, from now until March 29 will be canceled or postponed until a later date. Exceptions will be made for academic performances and recitals, but attendance will be limited to the families of participating students.
- Intercollegiate athletic events will continue as scheduled on campus, but without spectators until March 29. Exceptions will be made for the families of student athletes. The events will be streamed so that Trojan fans can watch online.
- All domestic and international, university-related, non-essential travel for students, faculty and staff is suspended until March 29.
To date, there have been no confirmed cases of COVID-19 at any Keck Medicine facilities. If there is a confirmed case of novel coronavirus at Keck Medicine, a well-established communicable disease protocol will be activated.
For the latest updates on COVID-19 and the health system’s preparedness measures surrounding it, visit https://keckmedicine.sharepoint.com/sites/KM-COVID-19.
For general questions related to COVID-19, contact Employeehotline@med.usc.edu.
Keck Medicine leadership continues to closely monitor the COVID-19 situation and will provide updates as the situation continues to develop.