PUC Update 4: Important Changes to Travel and Visits

Update Posted: March 11, 2020

With the continued spread of coronavirus (COVID-19) in the United States and around the world, schools are facing a significant impact on campus operations and are making important decisions regarding safety and preparation.

While there are currently no confirmed cases of COVID-19 affecting our campus or in the surrounding Napa County, the World Health Organization has now declared the outbreak a pandemic and your safety is our highest priority.

We are continuing to closely follow the guidance of the CDC and at this time, we are implementing the following measures, effective immediately:

Travel 

  • All PUC-sponsored international travel is suspended until further notice.
  • All PUC-sponsored domestic air travel or public transportation is strongly discouraged until further notice.

Please work to notify airlines, hotels, and event organizers to reschedule or cancel travel plans immediately. If any domestic travel plans cannot be changed, please seek approval from your relevant department chair or vice president before travelling. Until further notice, only travel that has been approved by your relevant vice president will be reimbursed if appropriate.

If you have recently traveled to, or returned from, any of the countries or regions that the CDC has identified as high risk, or if you have hosted guests from these countries, you (and your guests) are required to follow protocol that includes social distancing or self-quarantine. You are also required to report to Napa County Public Health at (707) 253-4279 to confirm next steps.

Students who have traveled internationally should also contact Student Life before returning to campus at (707) 965-7361 or studentlife@puc.edu to report travel details and discuss plans to return to campus.

Spring Break

Included in this guidance is our encouragement to reduce or cancel travel over the upcoming Spring Break, March 20-29. We understand that traveling to spend time with friends and family is something you look forward to, but your safety during this heightened time is very important. We advise against airline travel, cruises, or other methods of public transportation if possible until further notice.

If you will be travelling, please check the CDC website for the latest updates regarding your destination. Also keep in mind that if conditions change while you're travelling, you may be subject to local quarantine and be unable to return for an extended period.

IMPORTANT: If you are leaving for Spring Break please take with you any course materials and items that would be required for you to continue classes from offsite if there are any changes to campus operations while you're away. These items include laptops, textbooks, notebooks, essential papers, etc. Please be sure to also take with you any essentials, such as medication, and valuables in the event that you will not be able to return to campus as planned.

While you are away from campus, please be sure to check your PUC emails and our dedicated COVID-19 website for the latest updates. We also encourage you to download the LiveSafe app for any urgent notices.

Classes

Until further notice, classes will continue to meet as regularly scheduled. If there is any change to this, we will notify you via your PUC email, the LiveSafe app, and on the campus coronavirus website.

Events & Gatherings 

  • On-campus group visits and events larger than 15 people are suspended until April 30
  • On-campus visits of groups for fewer than 15 people are limited to business hours with no overnight stays until April 30.

At this time, I can share with you that Homecoming has been cancelled. This was not an easy decision and it was made with heavy hearts, but our priority is to minimize risk for our campus family, as well as our campus visitors during this time of heightened health risks.

Future Updates

Our campus assessment team is still meeting daily and in frequent communication with relevant partners for the latest updates. If further action is needed for our campus, including the extension of the above measures or interruptions to class operations, you will be notified immediately. We also encourage you to download the LiveSafe app if you don't already have it on your phone.

If in-person classes need to be suspended at any time, please be assured that technology is in place to move classes online.

Reporting Symptoms

COVID-19 typically causes a mild-to-moderate respiratory illness, though the elderly or those with conditions that make viruses of greater concern (e.g. cardiovascular, chronic asthma, diabetes, kidney failure, pregnant women, and infants) may be at increased risk. Symptoms are very similar to the flu and include fever, runny nose, headache, cough, sore throat, and/or shortness of breath.

If you are exhibiting these symptoms, do not report to an emergency room or clinic. Students,  please call Health Services at (707) 965-6339 or report to their office. Faculty and Staff, you should call your regular medical provider's office for guidance on next steps.

Prevention

The recommended guidance for virus prevention remains the same and we encourage you to please follow them:

  • Wash your hands frequently with liquid soap and water, and rub for at least 20 seconds
  • Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue or your sleeve (not your hands) when coughing or sneezing
  • Stay home if you are sick