Coronavirus travel registration form

February 2, 2020

Cynthia Barnhart, Chancellor, 2014–2021 | Martin A. Schmidt, Provost, 2014–2022 | Cecilia Stuopis, MD, Medical Director, MIT Medical, 2016–2023 |

To the members of the MIT community,

Due to weekend developments, including the first confirmed case of coronavirus in Boston, we are writing with important and time-sensitive information for members of our community, especially those who are currently in mainland China or who have returned from mainland China since January 19, 2020.

State and local health officials emphasize that this news does not change their assessment that the risk to the public in Massachusetts and the United States remains low. The contacts we have made with members of the MIT community who we know traveled to the affected areas in China over IAP confirms this assessment – we have no reason to believe our community is at risk right now.

However, out of an abundance of caution during this evolving situation and in keeping with our commitment to ensuring the health and safety of our community, we are taking the following actions today:

All MIT community members who are currently in China or have returned from mainland China since January 19, 2020 must complete this travel registration form promptly so that MIT Medical can provide you with guidance and support. MIT Medical will respond to your submission, which will remain secure and private, as quickly as possible.
If you were in China and returned to the U.S. on January 18, 2020 or earlier, and you show no signs of fever, coughing, or difficulty breathing, you do not need to take any further action. If you have these symptoms, please immediately call 617-253-4865 to talk with an MIT Medical clinician.
If you have returned to campus from mainland China in the last 14 days (after January 19, 2020), we ask that you take the precaution of self-isolating. A definition of self-isolation and advice for how to do this can be found here. If you have any questions or need help to find a place to self-isolate, please contact coronavirus-support@mit.edu.
We ask that faculty make every effort to be as flexible as possible with students who may be affected by this and that supervisors do the same for staff. Questions about academic accommodations can be directed to ovc@mit.edu and questions about accommodations for staff can be directed to your Human Resources (HR) Officer in the HR Department.
Please note that the restrictions for travel to China announced on January 31 remain in effect.

Additional Guidance from MIT Medical

MIT Medical has updated our comprehensive FAQs to reflect the latest developments and to offer new advice. Like other universities, we are now recommending that event organizers take appropriate precautions to safeguard the health of attendees, and we are asking attendees to self-monitor for symptoms and stay home and self-isolate if they are ill.

Please remember that if you are feeling feverish and have an accompanying cough, congestion, or difficulty breathing, you should call 617-253-4865 to talk with an MIT Medical clinician before you come to Urgent Care. Tell the clinician about your symptoms and any recent travel.

Additionally, if you are feeling stressed or overwhelmed by this situation, or if you have experienced any kind of discrimination or harassment because of it, please remember that there are campus resources that are ready and able to help:

Student Mental Health and Counseling Services (617-253-2916), Student Support Services (617-253-4861) and GradSupport (617-253-4860 or gradsupport@mit.edu) can meet with students in person or talk over the phone during regular weekday business hours. On nights and weekends, Mental Health and Counseling's on-call clinician can be reached at 617-253-4481.
Free, confidential, 24/7 assistance is available from MIT’s Graduate Assistance and Information Network (GAIN) and, for faculty, staff, and postdocs, from MyLife Services.
The Institute Discrimination and Harassment Response Office (617-324-7526) supports all community members who have experienced harm, bias, and discrimination.

Thank you for your prompt attention to the completion of the travel registration form if you have recently traveled to the affected areas. Your cooperation will help MIT ensure that we continue to keep our community healthy and safe.

Sincerely,

Cynthia Barnhart, Chancellor

Martin A. Schmidt, Provost

Dr. Cecilia Stuopis, Medical Director