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Urgent Action Required for Northwestern Graduate Students Abroad

Dear Northwestern Graduate Students,

Your health and safety amid this rapidly changing novel coronavirus (COVID-19) situation is of utmost importance to us. In order to assist you with health, travel and logistical advice as conditions continue to evolve, you must disclose your location and Northwestern sponsored international travel through this independent traveler disclosure form immediately if you are currently abroad. The U.S. Department of State has issued a Level 3 Global Health Advisory advising U.S. citizens to reconsider travel given many areas of the world are now experiencing COVID-19 outbreaks and taking action that may limit traveler mobility, including quarantines and border restrictions.

On March 11, President Trump signed a proclamation suspending entry to the United States by most foreign nationals who have been in certain European countries at any point within 14 days of their scheduled arrival to the United States. In a March 11 address to the nation, President Trump declared this proclamation would go into effect this Friday, March 13, at 11:59 p.m. Eastern Daylight Time. The proclamation "does not apply to legal permanent residents, generally immediate family members of U.S. citizens, and other individuals who are identified in the proclamation." However, if you come home from Europe, you will be expected to follow Centers for Disease Control and Prevention guidelines to self-isolate for 14 days. 

We are advising all Northwestern graduate students currently abroad to reassess their travel as conditions continue to change, taking this set of considerations into account.

If you have a question about your funding or the academic implications of changing your travel plans, please contact your faculty adviser. If you have any health or safety questions, please email globalsafety@northwestern.edu or refer to contact information on the Office of Global Safety and Security website. If you have a health or safety emergency after regular U.S. business hours, call Northwestern University Police 24/7 at 847-491-3456. 

Best regards,

 

Annelise Riles, J.D., PhD
Associate Provost for Global Affairs

Teresa K. Woodruff, PhD
Associate Provost for Graduate Education