Coronavirus In RI: CCRI Suspends All International Travel

WARWICK, RI — Following the example of several other colleges and universities, The Community College of Rhode Island has suspended all international travel associated with the school until further notice. This includes both students and employees and any planned trips funded by a grant, foundation, company or otherwise.

All students, faculty and staff who have traveled to China, Italy, South Korea, Iran or Japan in the past 14 days are asked to tell the college and self-quarantine for 14 days. Anyone who becomes ill is asked to stay home, while those who believe they have the new coronavirus are urged to follow the Rhode Island Department of Health's guidelines and instructions.

At this time, the college has not restricted domestic travel, though everyone who plans to travel in the near future to closely monitor the situation in their planned destination.

Last week, the University of Rhode Island announced it would suspend all international travel and study abroad programs until the end of the semester.

Amid the ongoing concerns over the spread of COVID-19, the health department continues to remind Rhode Islanders to take precautions to keep themselves and the community safe, namely frequent and thorough handwashing with warm water and soap. Other recommended measures include:

• Get a flu shot, and encourage those around you to do the same. While this will not help prevent the spread of the coronavirus, it is an effective tool to keep people with the flu from developing complications that require hospitalization.
• Cough or sneeze into your elbow rather than a hand or the air.
• Stay home from school or work if sick.
• Keep surfaces, especially bedside tables, bathrooms and children's toys clean by wiping them down with disinfectant.
• Get plenty of sleep, by physically active, manage stress, drink plenty of fluids and eat nutritious foods to maintain good health.

The CDC does not recommend that otherwise healthy people wear a face mask to protect themselves from respiratory viruses, including the new coronavirus. Only wear a mask if a healthcare provider instructs you to do so, the Department of Health said. Those with symptoms are asked to wear a mask to help prevent spreading the disease to others.

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