Coronavirus outbreak in China
Ensuring the safety and welfare of Cardiff University students is a priority and we are monitoring the Coronavirus situation as it unfolds.
We are following the latest advice from the Foreign and Commonwealth Office, World Health Organisation and Public Health Wales and have shared that with our staff and students via the intranet.
Unless notified otherwise, all scheduled University events will go ahead as advertised. Please remain in contact with the event organiser to ensure you are kept fully informed.
We continue to work with other universities through higher education sector bodies, such as the Russell Group and Universities UK/Universities Wales, to ensure we share and use the most up to date information and best practice.
25/02/20 - Travel update
Advice for travellers from Wuhan and Hubei Province and other specified areas
If you have returned from any of the following areas in the last 14 days:
- Iran
- Specific lockdown areas in Northern Italy as designated by the Government of Italy
- Special care zones in South Korea as designated by the Government of the Republic of South Korea
- Wuhan City and Hubei province (returned in the past 14 days)
please follow the advice below:
- stay indoors and avoid contact with other people as you would with other flu viruses
- contact NHS 111 to inform them of your recent travel
Please follow this advice even if you do not have symptoms of the virus.
If you develop a fever, difficulty breathing or a cough, you should continue to follow the advice above. Please do not leave your home until you been given advice by a clinician.
Further information is available here.
Health advice for travellers from other parts of China and other specified areas
This advice applies to travellers who have returned to the UK from the following areas:
- Cambodia
- China*
- Hong Kong
- Japan
- Laos
- Republic of Korea*
- Northern Italy*
- Malaysia
- Myanmar
- Macau
- Singapore
- Taiwan
- Thailand
- Vietnam
* Except areas of the country specifically referred to above
If you have travelled to any of the countries/areas listed above in the last 14 days and are experiencing cough or fever or shortness of breath:
- please stay indoors and avoid contact with other people as you would with the flu
- call NHS 111, even if your symptoms are mild.
17/02/20 - update for individuals in the UK unable to return to China
The government has today (17 February) published new guidance on immigration provisions made by the Home Office for individuals in the UK who are unable to return to China.
The guidance says: “Due to travel restrictions because of coronavirus some individuals may be facing uncertainty in relation to the expiry date of their current visa or leave to remain in the United Kingdom. The Home Office understands that in many cases this is because of circumstances outside of your control.
“Subject to the below guidance, most people in the UK whose immigration status is affected by the coronavirus outbreak will get an automatic extension of their visa until 31 March 2020.”
More detail is included on the GOV.UK website.
07/02/20 - Travel update
Advice for travellers from mainland China, Thailand, Japan, Republic of Korea, Hong Kong, Taiwan, Singapore, Malaysia or Macau.
If you have travelled to the UK from mainland China, Thailand, Japan, Republic of Korea, Hong Kong, Taiwan, Singapore, Malaysia or Macau in the last 14 days and are experiencing cough or fever or shortness of breath:
- stay indoors
- call NHS 111, even if symptoms are mild.
These areas have been identified because of the volume of air travel from affected areas, understanding of other travel routes and number of reported cases.
05/05/20 – Travel update
The Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) advise against all travel to China due to the ongoing novel coronavirus outbreak. If you’re in China and able to leave, you should do so.
The FCO advise against all but essential travel to the rest of mainland China (not including Hong Kong and Macao). The Chinese government continue to impose further restrictions on movement within China in response to the coronavirus outbreak.
29/01/2020 - Travel update
The Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) advise against all travel to Hubei Province due to the ongoing novel coronavirus outbreak. If you’re in this area and able to leave, you should do so.
The FCO advise against all but essential travel to the rest of mainland China (not including Hong Kong and Macao). The Chinese government continue to impose further restrictions on movement within China in response to the coronavirus outbreak.
28/01/2020 - Advice for travellers from Wuhan
Public Health England guidance has changed (28.01.2020).
If you have returned from Wuhan in the last 14 days:
- stay indoors and avoid contact with other people as you would with other flu viruses
- contact NHS 111 to inform them of your recent travel to the city
Please follow this advice even if you do not have symptoms of the virus. If you develop a fever, difficulty breathing or a cough, you should continue to follow the advice above. Please do not leave your home until you been given advice by a clinician.
Further information is available here.
What happens if I am unable to attend university and I miss teaching activities?
The Interruption of studies procedure is applied to students who are absent for a period of more than 14 days.
The University recognises that the Coronavirus is an exceptional circumstance and will do all it can to support students who are unable to attend teaching activities to continue their studies both remotely and on their return to teaching activities.
Students who are impacted by the Coronavirus outbreak are therefore advised to contact their Academic School at the earliest opportunity to discuss the impact they are experiencing and explore how they can continue to engage in their studies. Students in this situation will not be regarded as absent whilst they are able to continue to engage in their studies. These situations will be treated as exceptional circumstances by Examining Boards who will receive reports from Academic Schools that set out the circumstances experienced and the support measures put in place to enable continued study.
24/01/2020 - Information for students and staff
You may have seen the news coverage of the recent Coronavirus outbreak in Wuhan, China.
A small number of cases have also been detected in Thailand, Japan, South Korea and the USA, where steps have been taken to contain its spread.
There are currently no confirmed cases of Coronavirus in the UK. Although the risk appears to be low the picture is constantly changing.
You can read updates and get advice from the World Health Organisation, Public Health Wales and the Foreign Office. We will also keep our intranet pages updated.
Advice for returning students
Those returning to the University after the Christmas break who display respiratory symptoms and who have recently travelled to China should notattend their GP Surgery but call their GP or phone NHS 111/NHS Direct Wales (0845 46 47) and ask for advice.
Travel to China
Staff and students planning to travel to China are asked to pay close attention to the advice being given on the Coronavirus outbreak.
We would suggest that anyone contemplating travel to China, consult official websites for updates and the latest advice.
Precautionary measures
The current guidance from the Department of Health and Social Care and Public Health Wales is:
- Anyone who has travelled recently to China presenting with symptoms should notattend their GP Surgery but call their GP or phone NHS 111/NHS Direct Wales (0845 46 47) and ask for advice
- If you are traveling to the area, you should maintain good hand, respiratory and personal hygiene
- Symptoms include a cough, a sneeze, shortness of breath, or a fever
Further updates
Ensuring the safety and welfare of our staff and students is a priority and we are monitoring the Coronavirus situation as it unfolds.
We are following the latest advice from the Foreign Office, World Health Organisation and Public Health Wales and have shared that with our staff and students via the intranet.
This is a constantly evolving situation and we will keep our staff and students informed of any updates or actions needed.
24/01/2020
Ensuring the safety and welfare of our staff and students is a priority and we are monitoring the Coronavirus situation as it unfolds.
We are following the latest advice from the Foreign Office, World Health Organisation and Public Health Wales and have shared that with our staff and students.
This is a constantly evolving situation and we will keep our staff and students informed of any updates or actions needed.
Cardiff University spokesperson
23/01/2020
Staff and students planning to travel to China are asked to pay close attention to the advice being given on the Coronavirus outbreak.
Although the risk appears to be low it remains a constantly changing picture.
We are conscious colleagues may have family and friends in the locality and our thoughts are with anyone who may have been affected.
We would suggest that anyone contemplating travel to China to consult official websites for updates and the latest advice.
We are closely monitoring the situation to ensure the safety and welfare of our staff and students.