Travel Advisory
This information is archived as of May 26, 2020, and is saved here for reference. See latest health information.
March 21, 2020
Dear Central family,
On Saturday, the Iowa Department of Public Health sent out notification that there are 23 new additional positive cases of Iowans with COVID-19.
As part of the announcement, Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds advised:
“Iowans who have traveled recently for business or spring break vacations, whether internationally or domestically outside of Iowa, should strongly consider self-isolating for 14 days. This will support Iowa’s ongoing efforts to mitigate the spread of COVID-19, and limit the introduction of the virus from other points of travel.”
At this time, I request that Central students, faculty and staff who traveled out of Iowa during spring break to please consider self-isolating and avoid campus if you are not already approved to live on campus. This measure will help to inhibit the spread of the COVID-19 virus.
Self-isolation means staying indoors and completely avoiding contact with other people, with the goal of stopping other people from getting the coronavirus.
Students: If you fall into this category, please do not return to campus to gather your personal items. If you need to self-isolate or if your home is under shelter-in-place orders, please contact Charlie Strey, dean of students, who will work with you to make appropriate arrangements. If you have been granted temporary approval to remain on campus, please notify Charlie about the need to self-isolate.
Faculty: If you have been traveling out of state, please notify the vice-president for academic affairs about your need for self-isolation. Please see this information for guidance.
Staff: If you have been traveling out of state, please notify Human Resources and your supervisor about your need for self-isolation. A remote work assignment, if applicable, will allow you to work from home. Please see this information for guidance.
I also request that our faculty and staff members please be mindful of the potential need to shelter in place or lockdown as many other states have done in recent days. I encourage you to be ready to work completely from home with a 24-hour notice should Gov. Reynolds decide to take this action.
Central will continue to modify policies, procedures and operations over the coming weeks as circumstances develop. As needed, the senior leadership team will continue to provide updates to these plans to Central faculty, staff and students.
Thank you all for your resilience, resourcefulness and flexibility.
For the most up-to-date and accurate information, please continue to monitor:
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
- Iowa Department of Public Health
- Marion County Public Health
- The President’s Coronavirus Guidelines for America
- U.S. Department of State Travel Advisories
- World Health Organization
- Central College Coronavirus page and FAQs
Continue to wash your hands frequently, avoid groups of more than 10 people and remain more than six feet from others whenever possible. Working together with a common purpose, we can reduce the spread of infection.
Thank you for taking special precautions to protect yourself and others, and for helping the college do the same.
Mark L. Putnam
President, Central College