Temple University Advisories

COVID-19 (Coronavirus)

Since January, Temple University has been closely monitoring the outbreak of the respiratory illness COVID-19 (coronavirus) throughout the world. The Elevated/High Risk Committee’s deliberations have been informed by regular updates and recommendations from International SOS, The World Health Organization (WHO), the U.S. Department of State (U.S. DOS), and the Centers for Disease Control (CDC). 

Temple is suspending all university-affiliated international travel for faculty and staff through May 31st, 2020, unless expressly approved by the Provost.

Temple is suspending all university-affiliated international travel for students through June 22, 2020.

Updated March 23, 2020

China

On January 27th, the CDC re-classified mainland China as a whole to a Level 3: Avoid Nonessential Travel. On February 2, 2020, the Department of State re-classified China to a Level 4: Do Not Travel. 

Under Temple’s international travel policy, this means China is now considered an Elevated/High Risk destination.  Based on the government agencies’ advisement as well as the fact that many regions of China are under travel restrictions, we have decided to suspend University-affiliated faculty, staff, and student travel to mainland China for the duration of the spring semester. University-affiliated student travel to Hong Kong remains restricted due to social unrest there. The Office of the Provost, the Office of International Affairs, and Temple University’s Elevated/High Risk Committee will continue to monitor developments in China and will reassess the situation by April 30, 2020.

Revised February 28, 2020.

South Korea

In light of the Feb. 26 announcement from the U.S. Department of State raising their travel advisory to Level 3: Reconsider Travel to South Korea, and the Feb. 24 announcement from the Center for Disease Control  (CDC) raising their Travel Advisory Level to a Level 3: Avoid Non-Essential Travel to South Korea, the University has decided to suspend student travel to South Korea for the immediate future, including Spring 2020 programs. This decision will be reassessed by April 30, 2020. On February 29, 2020, the U.S. Department of State re-classified parts of South Korea to a Level 4: Do Not Travel. As a result, we have decided to suspend University-affiliated faculty and staff travel to Level 4 areas in South Korea, as outlined by the U.S. Department of State.

Revised March 4, 2020.

Italy

In light of the Feb. 28 announcement from the U.S. Department of State raising their travel advisory to Level 3: Reconsider Travel to Italy and the simultaneous announcement from the Center for Disease Control  (CDC) raising their Travel Advisory Level to a Level 3: Avoid Non-Essential Travel to Italy, the University has decided to suspend student travel to Italy for the immediate future, including Spring 2020 programs.  On February 29, 2020, the U.S. Department of State re-classified parts of Italy to a Level 4: Do Not Travel. As a result, we have decided to suspend University-affiliated faculty and staff travel to Level 4 areas in Italy, as outlined by the U.S. Department of State.

Published March 4, 2020.

Security Advisories

Hong Kong

After consultation with the Office of International Affairs and with support from the Provost, effective November 15, 2019, Temple University has suspended student travel to Hong Kong for the immediate future, including a suspension of spring 2020 programs in Hong Kong. The current intense protest activity focused on area universities as well as targeted attacks on mainland Chinese students has prompted the suspension of student travel to Hong Kong.

Temple University will continue to monitor the activity in Hong Kong and will re-evaluate this situation in advance of summer 2020 travel.

Department of State Advisories

International SOS Alerts

Center for Disease Control Travel Notices