As the outbreak of the 2019 novel coronavirus (2019-nCoV) continues to evolve, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, or CDC, and the Department of Homeland Security have updated the travel alerts and instructions for travelers returning to the U.S. from China.

• Travelers from Hubei Province are subject to up to 14 days of mandatory quarantine to ensure they are provided proper medical care and health screenings.
• Travelers from other parts of mainland China are subject to up to 14 days of self-quarantine with health monitoring to ensure they have not contracted the virus and do not pose a public health risk.

As a precaution, any UF or UF Health faculty, staff or volunteers who are subject to the mandatory or self-quarantine as defined above will be required to be quarantined for up to 14 days and must follow the processes below upon returning from China and/or before returning to the UF/UF Health campus:

UF Health Shands staff and volunteers:

• If you are returning from China and are symptomatic (fever, cough, shortness of breath) at any point during the 14-day quarantine period:
• Contact UF Health Shands Infection Control immediately at 352-682-3743.
• Infection Control will contact the UF Health Shands Hospital epidemiologist, who will discuss the appropriate next steps with you.
• If you believe you require immediate medical attention, whether at the E.R. or your medical provider’s office, inform the medical staff in advance that you have recently returned from China. If you are in need of an ambulance, inform the 911 operator that you have recently returned from China.
• Before returning to work after your 14-day quarantine, contact UF Health Shands Occupational Health Services at 352-265-0250 to schedule an appointment to be cleared to return to work.

• If you are returning from China and are nonsymptomatic:
• Before returning to work after your 14-day quarantine, contact UF Health Shands Occupational Health Services at 352-265-0250 to schedule an appointment to be cleared to return to work.
• Contact UF Health Shands Infection Control at 352-682-3743 if you have any questions.

Please note: UF Health Shands employees who are either under mandatory quarantine or those who have arrived from China in the past 14 days and are asked to self-quarantine at home must use PTO or unpaid leave for the time away from work. Unless seeking medical care, employees are prohibited from coming on campus or to any UF-affiliated facility during the quarantine period. If you are seeking medical care, please contact the health care provider before you arrive to ensure proper precautions can be taken.

For questions or assistance with use of paid leave, the employee should call his or her manager. For assistance with Occupational Health clearance, please call 352-265-0250. If you need access to additional resources during this time, please call the UF Health Shands Employee Assistance Program at 352-265-5493.

UF faculty and staff (clinical and non-clinical)

• If you are returning from China and are symptomatic (fever, cough, shortness of breath) at any point during the 14-day quarantine period:
• Contact UF Health Shands Infection Control immediately at 352-682-3743.
• Infection Control will contact the UF Health Shands Hospital epidemiologist, who will discuss the appropriate next steps with you.
• If you believe you require immediate medical attention, whether at the E.R. or your medical provider’s office, inform the medical staff in advance that you have recently returned from China. If you are in need of an ambulance, inform the 911 operator that you have recently returned from China.
• Before returning to work after your 14-day quarantine, contact the UF Student Health Care Center at 352-294-5700 to schedule an appointment to be cleared to return to work.

• If you are returning from China and are nonsymptomatic:
• Before returning to work after your 14-day quarantine, contact the UF Student Health Care Center at 352-294-5700 to schedule an appointment to be cleared to return to work.
• Contact UF Health Shands Infection Control at 352-682-3743 if you have any questions.

Please note: Administrative leave will be made available to eligible employees who are either under mandatory quarantine or those who have arrived from China in the past 14 days and are asked to self-quarantine at home. Unless seeking medical care, employees are prohibited from coming on campus or to any UF-affiliated facility during the quarantine period. If you are seeking medical care, please contact the health care provider before you arrive to ensure proper precautions can be taken.

To qualify for administrative leave, confirmation from the Department of Health of either status (mandatory or self-quarantine due to recent travel from China) will be required. Employees also will be required to obtain clearance from the UF Student Health Care Center to return to work.

In the event a UF employee is diagnosed with the 2019 novel coronavirus, the employee will be eligible to use personally accrued sick leave. For questions or assistance with use of paid leave or for assistance with clearance to return to work, please contact Employee Relations at 352-392-1072.  

If you need access to additional resources during this time, please contact the UF Employee Assistance Program.