3/10: Travel Advisory and Policy, Keck Medicine of USC and Keck School of Medicine of USC

Issued on March 10, 2020 by

Rod Hanners, COO, Keck Medicine of USC and CEO of Keck Medical Center of USC

Laura Mosqueda, M.D., Dean, Keck School of Medicine of USC

Colleagues, 

In our ongoing efforts to ensure the wellbeing of our employees in light of the recent outbreak of COVID-19 (novel coronavirus), Keck Medicine of USC and the Keck School of Medicine of USC are implementing a temporary ban on business travel for all international and domestic trips effective immediately. 

By limiting our exposure to the risks associated with COVID-19, especially travel-related exposure, we hope to maintain the safety of our patients, staff, faculty, and students and contribute to the country’s overall containment strategies. 

Additionally, all faculty and staff are strongly advised against personal travel to international destinations during this time. This includes popular spring break destinations such as Cabo San Lucas and Cancun in Mexico. 

Also, please be advised that employees returning to work from travel to any Level 2 and 3 CDC travel-warning areas, which includes China, South Korea, Japan, Italy and Iran, could risk not being allowed to re-enter the country and or may be required to self-isolate at home. 

Further, all employees (staff, faculty, physicians, and allied health practitioners) who have traveled outside of the country for either personal or business travel are required to contact Employee Health Services prior to returning to work. 

To date, there have been no confirmed cases of COVID-19 at any of our facilities. If there is a confirmed case of novel coronavirus at Keck Medicine of USC, we have a well-established communicable disease protocol that will be activated. 

For the latest updates on COVID-19 and our health system’s preparedness measures surrounding it, please visit https://keckmedicine.sharepoint.com/sites/KM-COVID-19. 

Also, for general questions related to COVID-19, contact Employeehotline@med.usc.edu. 

We are closely monitoring the COVID-19 situation and will provide updates as needed.