UTC suspends all university-related international travel due to coronavirus concerns

A University of Tennessee at Chattanooga sign near an entrance to the campus along McCallie Avenue is photographed Monday, Jan. 28, 2019, in Chattanooga, Tennessee.
A University of Tennessee at Chattanooga sign near an entrance to the campus along McCallie Avenue is photographed Monday, Jan. 28, 2019, in Chattanooga, Tennessee.

The University of Tennessee at Chattanooga has suspended all outgoing international travel because of the coronavirus, according to a Friday news release.

"This includes travel related to teaching, research or grant activity, internships, conferences and presentations, performances and athletics," the release states.

UTC also encouraged employees, staff and students to curtail personal international travel, and to follow CDC guidelines if they are currently overseas and planning to return in the coming weeks.

Coronavirus hotline

Call the Chattanooga-Hamilton County coronavirus hotline at 423-209-8383 weekdays from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. or the Tennessee Department of Health hotline at 877-857-2945 from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. Central time daily.

While there have been no confirmed cases of the novel coronavirus COVID-19 on the campus or in Hamilton County, Gov. Bill Lee confirmed on Thursday that Tennessee's first case of the respiratory disease had been identified near Nashville.

"We set up our Emergency Operations Center, and the UTC Executive Leadership Team has met to monitor the latest coronavirus updates and plan for future scenarios," the release states.

"Please be mindful of domestic travel and bringing visitors to campus. Other parts of the country have declared states of emergency as they work to contain the COVID-19. Be sure to follow CDC recommendations and your health care provider's guidance if you are experiencing viral symptoms, especially if you have traveled recently."

Students, faculty and staff will be reimbursed by the university for expenses associated with international travel on business trips that have been canceled, the release states.

The University of Tennessee at Knoxville announced on Thursday a similar ban on overseas travel. Previously, the campus had suspended travel to China, South Korea and Italy because of similar concerns. All university-related international travel after March has been suspended indefinitely, UT Knoxville Chancellor Donde Plowman wrote in an email to students, faculty and staff.

All international spring break trips sponsored by UT Knoxville have also been canceled, Plowman said. Study abroad sessions in Italy and Japan scheduled to leave before June 15 have been canceled as well.

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