Dear Stevenson Community,

As we continue to monitor the 2019-Novel-Coronavirus (2019-nCoV), now referred to as COVID-19, we remain sensitive to the impact this health emergency is having on many around the world and especially those in, and closely connected to, mainland China. As we approach the February/March break we would like to share information related to travel, especially international travel.

Current Travel Restrictions

While COVID-19 has spread to 27 additional countries and become a global health issue, the U.S. has to date only implemented travel restrictions for mainland China: “Foreign nationals who have visited China in the past 14 days may not enter the United States. American citizens, lawful permanent residents, and their families who have been in China in the past 14 days will be allowed to enter the United States, but will be redirected to one of 11 airports to undergo health screening. Depending on their health and travel history, they will have some level of restrictions on their movements for 14 days from the time they left China.”* Other countries where outbreaks have occurred outside mainland China, including Hong Kong, do not have restrictions in regards to entering the United States but, as this is an evolving health emergency, the travel restrictions could change while we are on break.

Travel Risks and Precautions

Traveling inside the United States poses very little risk of coming in contact with COVID-19. There are only 15 confirmed cases in the U.S. at the time of writing this letter. Traveling internationally outside the United States will pose a higher risk of coming in contact with individuals infected with the COVID-19, especially when considering those traveling internationally will pass through international airports with people arriving from countries with a higher rate of infection. If you are traveling, it is encouraged that you take preventative precautions: stay clear of people who are coughing or otherwise appear to be ill; try not to touch surfaces like counters, railings, etc; avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands; and wash your hands with soap and water often—if soap and water are not available, use sanitizer.

If You Become Ill

We ask that if you become ill prior to your return from break, you stay home until healthy. If you exhibit flu-like symptoms such as fever, cough, or respiratory illness, you should report to your doctor to be evaluated before returning to school. If you return to school and were sick or become sick, you should report to the health center immediately. If the school suspects someone may have been exposed to COVID-19 or has contracted the virus, the Monterey County Health Department (MCHD) would be immediately contacted and the school would follow their advice regarding how to address the situation. This may mean the student would be sent off campus for a period of time until any risk for exposure to COVID-19 is ruled out.

Reporting Your Travel Plans to the School

All resident students are required to report their travel plans over break as part of our normal pass process. As such, the school is aware of where they will be traveling. If students have traveled to locations inside, or outside, the United States where outbreaks have been reported, there may be a screening of that individual upon return to campus. If you are a day student and are planning to travel internationally, we would ask that you and your parents report your plans and itinerary to the Health Center at healthc@stevensonschool.org or 831-625-8326 prior to your departure.

Once again, we would like to remind everyone that the MCHD will alert us if there are any cases of COVID-19 in the county and will provide recommendations to the school if needed. Also, the MCHD does not believe the situation currently poses a risk to the Stevenson community. In general, it is good practice to follow the precautionary measures suggested in this communication, whether traveling or not, as the normal flu virus, and other illnesses, always present a challenge to our community; the more we can reduce exposure, the healthier we all will be.

If you have further questions, please feel free to contact Erik Olson, the dean of students for the upper division, at eolson@stevensonschool.org.

Respectfully,

Erik Olson

Dean of Students for the Upper Division

* Source: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/travelers/from-china.html