February 1, 2020
The White House has declared a public health emergency for the U.S. Beginning Feb. 2 at 5pm EST, the U.S. will temporarily suspend entry of foreign nationals who have been in mainland China within the last 14 days, with the exception of permanent residents and immediate family members of U.S. citizens. Any U.S. citizens who have traveled in China within the last 14 days must go through one of seven airports (San Francisco, Los Angeles, Seattle, New York, Atlanta, Honolulu, or Chicago) for entry screening. They will then be monitored and self-isolated for up to 14 days. Any U.S. citizens who have been to Hubei province within the last 14 days will be quarantined for up to two weeks. Several U.S. airlines have suspended flights to and from mainland China.
Precautionary Measures
- Avoid non-essential travel to China
- Maintain flexible itineraries when traveling and allow for extra time to go through screening procedures at airports, railway and bus stations, and other transportation hubs
- Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue or your elbow when sneezing and coughing (do not cough or sneeze into your hands)
- When using a tissue, throw it in the trash immediately after use
- Do not travel if you are sick
- Avoid touching the eyes, nose, and mouth
- Thoroughly cook meat and eggs
- Avoid wet markets and farms
- Keep a distance from people who are obviously sick or exhibiting flu-like symptoms
- Wash your hands frequently with soap and water or hand sanitizer
- Try to get sufficient sleep, exercise regularly, manage stress, drink plenty of fluids, and eat nutritious foods
- Stay home when sick
- Don’t eat, drink, or smoke after others
- Avoid direct contact with animals (dead or alive)
- Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces
- Seek medical attention if you develop symptoms, especially a fever or shortness of breath
- Monitor up-to-date information about the virus from the CDC, International SOS, and local media
