Covid-19/Coronavirus Update
Belmont Abbey College continues to monitor concerns about Covid-19/Coronavirus. Along with state and local authorities, we are carefully monitoring and addressing the situation.
In an effort to give you enough time to make your Spring Break travel plans, please read the following statements
Travel Restrictions
As Spring Break approaches, please consider that the United States has instituted travel restrictions due to the Coronavirus outbreak. Restrictions are advised for China, Iran, Italy, and South Korea, which have emerged as major hotspots for the outbreak. The travel advisory urges Americans to avoid all nonessential travel to these affected areas.
Air Travel
Domestic or international air travel could expose you to the virus as it is highly contagious and spread through person-to-person contact. You may encounter travelers from across the globe including countries with a higher risk. Simply put, if you are traveling through airports or other modes of confined transit please practice good hygiene as outlined by the CDC (see below). Please use your best judgment regarding travel and avoid high-risk areas, even in the United States. We strongly encourage students to confer with their parents regarding their upcoming travel plans.
International Travel
International travel to China, Iran, South Korea, Italy, Japan, and Hong Kong presents a higher risk of contracting the virus. If you plan to travel to these regions you will need to remain in quarantine OFF CAMPUS for 14 days after you return. We suggest that you coordinate your quarantine location prior to your departure and reach out to your professors to arrange for your work to be done remotely.
International travel to locations with active cases could complicate your travel back to the U.S. if the outbreak were to accelerate. Click here for more information on traveling internationally during this outbreak and here to sign up for travel alerts for your destinations.
Notification to Belmont Abbey College
IF YOU PLAN TO TRAVEL INTERNATIONALLY OR TO A HIGH-RISK LOCATION IN THE U.S. DURING SPRING BREAK (MARCH 13-22) PLEASE NOTIFY BELMONT ABBEY COLLEGE BY COMPLETING THIS FORM.
Illness During Spring Break
Furthermore, if you start experiencing symptoms of Coronavirus during Spring Break do not return to campus for 14 days. This means you cannot be on campus for 14 days to live or study. This is in consideration for our Belmont Abbey College community.
For more information visit the Center for Disease Control and Prevention: coronavirus update page.
—
How to Stop the Spread of Germs
- Avoid close contact.
- Avoid close contact with people who are sick. When you are sick, keep your distance from others to protect them from getting sick too.
- Stay in when you are sick.
- If possible, stay home from work, school, and errands when you are sick. This will help prevent spreading your illness to others.
- Cover your mouth and nose.
- Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue when coughing or sneezing. It may prevent those around you from getting sick. Serious respiratory illnesses are spread by cough, sneezing, or unclean hands.
- Clean your hands.
- Washing your hands often will help protect you from germs. If soap and water are not available, use an alcohol-based hand rub.
- Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth.
- Germs are often spread when a person touches something that is contaminated with germs and then touches his or her eyes, nose, or mouth.
- Practice other good health habits.
- Clean and disinfect frequently touched surfaces at home, work or school, especially when someone is ill. Get plenty of sleep, be physically active, manage your stress, drink plenty of fluids, and eat nutritious food.
As of March 2, 2020 there are no confirmed cases of coronavirus in North Carolina.
For more information on coronavirus, you can visit the NC Department of Health and Human Services resource page here.
Right now, the best course of action for Abbey community members is vigilance, education, prevention, and preparation. Below is guidance from the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) on preventing the spread of germs.
Thank you for helping keep our community healthy!