Spring Break Travel Advice

03/09/2020 1:00 AM

Dear Students,

Spring break is almost here and we know many of you are excited to travel and take advantage of the time away from campus.

Bradley remains vigilant and prepared regarding the on-going concerns related to COVID-19 (coronavirus). Our Virus Preparedness Team is meeting regularly and we closely are monitoring the situation around the globe. We encourage you to pay close attention to the CDC travel guidelines and be cautious if you plan to travel. If you are planning to travel abroad over spring break we encourage you to register your travel at Bradley’s new travel registration page. Please be aware you may face unpredictable circumstances, travel restrictions, challenges traveling to an international destination and returning home or accessing healthcare while abroad.

Travel to any location with a CDC Level 3 Travel Advisory is highly discouraged.  As of March 9, these are China, South Korea, Italy and Iran; an elevated advisory level for Japan (Level 2) is also in place.  The CDC also recommends all travelers reconsider cruise ship voyages into or within Asia at this time. Per Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) guidance, if you travel to these areas you are requested to self-isolate at your permanent home address for 14-days prior to returning to campus. 

You can monitor the spread of the illness at this site and communities within the US continue to see an increase in the COVID-19 infection.  Currently there are no travel restrictions domestically. However, students are again encouraged to monitor travel warnings and regional recommendations.

There are currently no cases of COVID-19 in Central Illinois and none on Bradley’s campus.  At this time, the CDC and IDPH do NOT recommend:

• The use of masks or gloves
• Canceling large group events
• Restricting on campus events or canceling classes 
• Any special sanitizing processes beyond routine cleaning

Like many institutions across the country and globe, Bradley is working on its academic and business continuity plans to ensure the university can continue forward in given circumstances.  In the unlikely event that the IDPH or CDC would call for the closing of colleges, we would comply. We are revisiting our pandemic plan and making preparations for academic continuity, as well as our ability to implement them and continue to serve our students. We will communicate with you in detail IF this were to happen.

We also want to ensure a safe campus and ask you to follow these regular CDC recommended precautions, when on campus and as you travel, as you would for any illness:

• Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, especially after going to the bathroom; before eating; and after blowing your nose, coughing or sneezing.
• If soap and water are not readily available, using an alcohol-based hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol. Always wash hands with soap and water if hands are visibly dirty.
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth with unwashed hands.
• Avoid close contact with people who are sick.
• Stay home when you are sick.
• If you have a fever greater than 100.4 degrees F, you are considered contagious and should stay home.
• Cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue.
• Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces using regular household cleaners, preferable those with bleach.

Upon returning from spring break, if you are feeling sick, contact Bradley Health Services at 309-677-2700 or your primary care physician.

Bradley continues to provide updates and information at a website where you can learn more about the virus, symptoms, treatments and frequently asked questions.