Rowan University Prohibits Some Travel Amid Coronavirus Fears

GLASSBORO, NJ — In the wake of concerns surrounding coronavirus, Rowan University has stopped accepting applications for university-related international travel, the university announced. Students already studying in other countries are not being ordered to return home at this time.

“Out of an abundance of caution for the safety of our students and broader University community, Rowan University is no longer accepting applications for University-related international travel through May 31,” the university announced in a statement posted on its website. “Faculty who have already been approved for University-related international travel should immediately contact the Office of the Provost for a review of their itinerary. University funds cannot be used for trips to COVID-19 Level 1 or higher designated areas. All travel previously approved to other countries will be allowed but the situation will be regularly monitored.”

However, students currently studying abroad are not being asked to return at this time. They are being told to contact Gokhan Alkanat, director of the International Center, 856-256-5191, alkanat@rowan.edu, with questions or concerns.

Anyone studying abroad in an area that has been deemed a risk who would like to return can get financial assistance from the university to do so.

Student groups that are scheduled to for a university-related trip to a country designated a COVID-19 Level 1 risk or higher can contact the university for help to cancel their trips. Rowan will provide financial assistance to students who may lose money as a result of the temporary suspension. They can contact the Dean of Students Office at 856-256-4283.

To see the full statement, visit rowan.edu.

There have been no confirmed cases of coronavirus in New Jersey as of Monday morning. Testing was done on one suspected coronavirus case in New Jersey, but results came back negative.

The suspected case in New Jersey also comes days after Nancy Messonnier, the director of the CDC's National Center for Immunization and Respiratory Disease, told reporters in a conference call the question is no longer if the coronavirus, now officially called COVID-19, will spread across the United States but when that will happen.

Communities, schools and businesses in New Jersey and elsewhere should begin preparing now for "the expectation that this could be bad," Messonnier said.

"I understand this whole situation may seem overwhelming and that disruption to everyday life may be severe. But these are things that people need to start thinking about now," she said. "You should think about what you would do for child care if schools or day cares closed."

To date, no one in New Jersey has tested positive for COVID-19. But state officials say they're preparing for a spread of the disease across the region.

So far in New Jersey, the Department of Health says it has been focused on ramping up preparedness efforts and coordination with hospital and local health departments since the end of January. The Department of Health's crisis management meets daily to monitor "this evolving situation," officials said.

Gov. Phil Murphy issued a statement on Saturday, saying he spoke with Vice President Pence to discuss New Jersey's ongoing efforts to guard against the spread of novel coronavirus.

The vice president praised New Jersey for taking aggressive and proactive measures to combat the public health threat and reiterated that the Trump Administration stands ready to support New Jersey's efforts in this fight, according to the governor's office.

Murphy thanked the vice president for maintaining an open line of communication and pledged to work closely with the White House, Coronavirus Task Force, and CDC to combat the virus and "keep all New Jerseyans safe and healthy."