Syracuse University has expanded temporary travel restrictions amid the spread of the novel coronavirus, Chancellor Kent Syverud said in a campus-wide email Wednesday.

The coronavirus, a respiratory disease health officials believe originated in Wuhan, China, causes flu-like symptoms such as fever and coughing. The virus has spread to over 30 countries in the past few months.

All SU students, faculty and staff are temporarily restricted from traveling to South Korea for university purposes, Syverud said in the email. Anyone who travels to the country during the restriction period will not be able to enter any SU building or facility for two weeks after they return, he said.

SU in January implemented a temporary ban on university travel to China due to the spread of the virus. Coronavirus cases in Asia have been concentrated in South Korea, CNN reported.

University administration is also continuing to monitor the coronavirus risk near all SU Abroad centers and plans to suspend additional abroad programs if necessary, Syverud said.

SU suspended its study abroad program in Florence, Italy on Tuesday due to the outbreak of the virus in the country. Over 300 cases of the virus have been reported in Italy, and 12 people have died, according to CNN.

Students in the Florence program will not return to SU’s campus until after spring break to comply with the Centers for Disease Control’s mandated 14-day incubation period, the chancellor said.

The university is also expanding a working group of faculty, staff, health professionals, emergency managers and administrators to prepare for the possibility of a coronavirus outbreak in central New York, Syverud said.

There have been no reported cases of coronavirus at SU or in Onondaga County as of Wednesday morning.

Published on February 26, 2020 at 4:31 pm

Contact Sarah: scalessa@syr.edu | @sarahalessan