Embry-Riddle Urges You to Reevaluate Spring Break Travel Plans

With Spring Break approaching, many of you likely have plans to travel, whether to go home or elsewhere. I am writing with important information about the rapidly changing coronavirus (COVID-19) situation, which may impact your travel plans. 

Embry-Riddle urges all students, faculty and staff to reevaluate their Spring Break travel plans, particularly to any international locations. If you decide to travel internationally, notify Embry-Riddle of your plans via the Travel Registry.

Please read this entire message carefully and consider these key points:

• You could become stranded, with no way to return to Embry-Riddle, if you travel to or through countries identified in U.S. Center for Disease Control & Prevention (CDC) Travel Alerts. Embry-Riddle will not be able to intervene on your behalf, in that event.
• The situation is rapidly changing across Asia, Europe and other locations; travel restrictions may be implemented at any time with little or no notice.
• If you do make it back, you will be required to self-isolate for 14 days after returning from any CDC-designated Level 3 country.
• This would affect your academic progress as well as flight training.
• For domestic travel, avoid close-contact environments whenever possible. The CDC has pointed out that semi-closed settings such as cruise ships may speed the transmission of respiratory illnesses, including COVID-19.

The COVID-19 situation is evolving daily. We cannot predict when CDC warning levels might change in any given region. As countries evaluate travel into and out of their regions, limitations and bans may be put into effect without prior warning, leaving travelers stranded.

If you visit a country where a CDC Level 3 warning is in place, you will almost certainly experience canceled flights and restricted travel by local authorities.

Again, due to these uncertainties and risks, you should strongly reconsider any international travel plans over Spring Break, especially if they involve CDC Travel Alert regions. Reevaluate domestic destinations based on potential risks.

Those considering international travel should closely and frequently monitor information provided by the CDC, the World Health Organization, and the U.S. State Department.

Continue to follow healthy practices recommended by experts. The CDC recommends the following actions to help prevent the spread of all respiratory diseases, including COVID-19:

• Avoid contact with sick people.
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose, or mouth with unwashed hands.

Clean your hands often by washing with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. If soap and water are not available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer that contains at least 60 percent alcohol. Soap and water should always be used if your hands are visibly dirty. For a more complete list of preventive measures, see Embry-Riddle’s Feb. 13 statement.

If you travel to a vulnerable region over Spring Break and exhibit any signs of illness such as fever, cough or difficulty breathing after you return, immediately contact the student health unit on your campus and ask to speak to a triage nurse. On the Daytona Beach Campus, call (386) 226-7917, option 5. On the Prescott Campus, call (928) 777-6653. On Worldwide Campuses, contact your campus director. You will need to receive medical clearance before returning to campus.

We will continue to share updates on changes that may impact you and your travel plans. COVID-19 updates are being posted to Embry-Riddle’s Emergency Management page as well as ERNIE.

We want all Eagles to have a safe, healthy, and refreshing Spring Break.