Self-Quarantine Procedures for Additional Level 3 Countries

Dear Wheaton students, faculty and staff:

I’m writing with an important COVID-19 update and altered procedure for anyone returning to campus after spring break. Please read this information carefully.

The Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has updated its list of countries now under a Level 3 travel advisory to include the following European countries:
Austria, Belgium, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Italy, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Monaco, San Marino, and Vatican City.

As you were notified previously, any community member that has traveled to, or through, a location assigned a Level 2 or Level 3 Travel Advisory by the CDC must return to your family home or to an off-campus residence, and self-quarantine, for a minimum of 14 days after returning to the U.S. AND refrain from close contact (within 6 feet) with individuals (students, staff and faculty) currently on campus. Therefore, if you have traveled to or through any of these countries, you are not permitted to return to campus for 14 days after your return to the U.S., including to retrieve your belongings at this time.  

Self-quarantine means:

  • Limit contact with others; staying at your family home (not on campus).

  • Monitor for fever by taking your temperature twice a day (morning and night).

  • Remain alert for signs of fever, cough, sore throat, wheezing and/or difficulty breathing during the 14 day self-observation period.

  • Seek health advice by telephone from a health care provider if you develop any symptoms of illness; call ahead before entering a medical facility; and notify emergency personnel of your travel history and symptoms if you call 911.

  • Wash your hands with soap and water, or use a 60% alcohol-based hand rub after coughing and sneezing. Throw used tissues in an appropriate receptacle.

  • Cover coughs and sneezes with your upper sleeve or a tissue.

  • Avoid sharing household items. Do not share drinking glasses, straws, smoking devices, cell phones, towels, eating utensils, bedding or any other items until you are no longer asked to self-isolate.

  • Clean surfaces that you share with others, such as doorknobs, phones, any objects that you sneeze or cough on, and bathroom surfaces (including sinks, countertops and toilets) with a standard household disinfectant such as Clorox wipes. Wash your hands after cleaning the area.

Social distancing means:

  • Avoiding locations where large groups of people congregate (more than 10 people), such as: public transportation, shopping centers, movie theaters, restaurants, supermarkets, stadiums, workplaces, schools and classroom settings. Again, we include campus in this category.

  • Maintaining a distance (approximately 6 feet) from others.  This includes limiting contact with persons living in your residence.

In the face of ever-changing information about the coronavirus, college officials will continue to closely monitor ongoing developments and guidance offered by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).  Please check Wheaton’s COVID-19 website for the latest information.  Thank you in advance for your cooperation as we strive to keep our campus community safe and healthy in these unprecedented times.

Questions and more information:

For students, please contact Cynthia Maricle, Associate Director of Student Health Services at maricle_cynthia@wheatoncollege.edu, or Zack Irish, Interim Dean of Students at irish_zachary@wheatoncollege.edu. For faculty and staff, please contact Omaira Roy, Associate Vice President for Human Resources at [email protected].

Regards,

Zachary Irish
Interim Vice President for Student Affairs and Dean of Students

Omaira Roy
Associate Vice President for Human Resources

Cynthia Maricle
Associate Director, Student Health Services

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