The University is closely monitoring the global COVID-19 outbreak, and we are taking proactive steps in an effort to keep our campus safe. The University is restricting official University travel to highly impacted areas. The University strongly advises individuals or groups planning travel to take all necessary precautions as directed by the U.S. Department of State (link to state department travel advisory). Employees who have traveled to areas impacted by the outbreak will be required upon return from travel to communicate with their division head or Human Resources to develop a plan to return to campus. All travelers should refer to the attached mandate given to all post-secondary institutions by the Alabama Department of Public Health.
University administration encourages everyone on campus to follow standard Center for Disease Control preventative guidelines.
These recommendations include:
Practice respiratory etiquette. The main way disease spreads from person to person is in droplets produced by coughs and sneezes, so it’s important to cover your mouth and nose with a tissue when coughing or sneezing. If you don’t have a tissue, you should cough or sneeze into your elbow or shoulder, not your hands.
Practice good hand hygiene. Wash your hands often with soap and water, especially after coughing or sneezing. Alcohol-based hand rubs are also useful.
Stay home if sick. Stay home or in your place of residence for at least 24 hours after the last signs of fever.
It’s currently flu and respiratory disease season and CDC recommends getting a flu vaccine. If you have been prescribed flu antiviral medication, take it.
Student Health Services will host a Spring Flu Vaccine Clinic on campus Wednesday, March 4, from noon to 4 p.m.
Attendees must bring their health insurance card. The cost of the vaccine with no health insurance is $25. The vaccine is available at NO COST to insured students, university employees, spouses, dependents older than 18 years of age, and retirees.
