Important Announcement Regarding COVID-19

15:27, March 9, 2020

GSEM UrFU recommends discretion in international travel with regard to COVID-19

Dear GSEM staff and students,

As you know, currently there is an unfavourable epidemiological situation in many countries due to the spreading COVID-19 virus (Coronavirus disease). The situation is constantly changing, and earlier this week the Federal Service for Surveillance on Consumer Rights Protection and Human Wellbeing advised to limit foreign travel as much as possible.

GSEM UrFU reminds the staff and students that according to the order № 157/03 d/d 03.02.2020 «On preventive measures in connection with community-acquired pneumonia caused by a new type of Coronavirus» all academic and business trips to China, Thailand, South Korea and Japan are cancelled; visa invitations issuance for citizens of the aforementioned countries is suspended; students and staff returning from academic and business trips from these countries are required to undergo an additional medical examination.

GSEM UrFU strongly recommends its staff and students:

1. To cancel or reschedule all academic and business trips to epidemiologically unsafe countries (China, Thailand, South Korea, Japan, Iran);
2. To cancel personal trips to these countries. In case of travelling, it is recommended to follow all regulations and preventive measures, and observe quarantine measure upon returning to Russia. Responsibility for personal trips and possible consequences rests with you;
3. To consider risks of travelling to other countries, including COVID-19 cases there and connecting flight airports;
4. To plan invitations for foreign colleagues, partners, professors with due consideration of the epidemiological situation, to reschedule visits for later if possible.

Many of our students are currently abroad on exchange in the framework of our mobility programmes. If you are studying or working in unfavourable epidemiological areas, we remind you to follow all local regulations set by the receiving institution or local government regarding preventive and quarantine measures.

It is impossible to predict the development of this situation but we urge you to follow the news and recommend to cancel or reschedule you trip in case of any doubts.

GSEM UrFU Acting Director Dmitry Tolmachev