DHS Issues Supplemental Instructions For Inbound Flights With Individuals Who Have Been In China
The media news gone viral is that A Chinese doctor, Ophthalmologist Li Wenliang, 33, who was taken in by authorities for warning about the dangers of a deadly new virus now spreading around the world died Friday after becoming infected with it, WSJ , NYT others reported.
In Military news, U.S. troops stationed in Korea are on high alert
VA is working closely with The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and other federal partners, monitoring an outbreak of Novel Coronavirus first identified in Wuhan, Hubei Province, China. The World Health Organization on February 11, 2020, proposed an official name for the illness caused by the new coronavirus: COVID-19.
Cases have been identified in the United States* and other international locations.* This new strain belongs to a group of viruses called coronavirus which can cause symptoms like fever, cough and shortness of breath.
VA has activated its emergency management coordination cell (EMCC) and is implementing an aggressive and collaborative public health response to protect and care for Veterans. At this time, no Veterans receiving care at VA have been diagnosed with COVID-19. United States is actively screening everyone who has traveled in China for this new disease. Americans who come back from the part of China where the number of infections is very high are required to limit close contact with other people and report changes in their health. VA has been planning for this type of event and is prepared to protect and care for Veterans who receive their health care from VA.
On Sunday, February 9, representatives of the President Trump’s Coronavirus Task Force provided an update at the National Governors Association (NGA) Winter Meeting about the U.S. response to the coronavirus outbreak.
DHS Issues Supplemental Instructions For Inbound Flights With Individuals Who Have Been In China.
The panel reiterated that while this is a serious public health matter, the risk to the American public remains low at this time, and that the federal government will continue working in close coordination with state and local governments to keep it that way.
Release Date: February 2, 2020
11 U.S. airports will receive flights carrying passengers from China
WASHINGTON – To protect the American people from exposure to the coronavirus, on Sunday, February 2, 2020, the Acting Secretary Chad F. Wolf issued instructions supplementing a decision issued on January 31, 2020, and directed all flights from China and all passengers who have traveled to China within the last 14 days to be routed through one of eight U.S. airports, effective Sunday, February 2nd, 2020, for flights departing after 5:00 PM Eastern. Three additional airports will be added to the list of airports authorized to receive such flights beginning at various times on Monday, February 3, 2020. At these eleven airports, the United States Government has established enhanced screening procedures and the capacity to quarantine passengers, if needed.
Additionally, U.S. citizens who have been in Hubei province within 14 days of their return will be subject to up to 14 days of mandatory quarantine to ensure they are provided proper medical care and health screening. U.S. citizens who have been in other areas of mainland China within 14 days of their return will undergo proactive entry health screening and up to 14 days of self-quarantine with health monitoring to ensure they have not contracted the virus and do not pose a public health risk. Generally, foreign nationals (other than immediate family of U.S. citizens, permanent residents, and flight crew) who have traveled in China within 14 days of their arrival, will be denied entry into the United States.
“While the overall risk to the American public remains low, funneling all flights with passengers who have recently been in China is the most important and prudent step we can take at this time to decrease the strain on public health officials screening incoming travelers. These steps will also expedite the processing of U.S. citizens returning from China, and ensure resources are focused on the health and safety of the American people,” said DHS Acting Secretary Chad F. Wolf. “We realize this could provide added stress and prolong travel times for some individuals, however public health and security experts agree these measures are necessary to contain the virus and protect the American people. To minimize disruptions, CBP and air carriers are working to identify qualifying passengers before their scheduled flights. Once back in the U.S., it’s imperative that individuals honor self-quarantine directives to help protect the American public.”
“The American public can be assured that DHS and its component agencies are taking decisive action to analyze the threat, minimize risk, and slow the spread of the virus by working closely with CDC health professionals and interagency partners involved in this whole-of-government effort,” he added.
DHS and the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) have coordinated extensively with air carriers and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to designate the eleven U.S. airports at which CDC will seek to identify potentially ill persons.
Effective Sunday, February 2nd at 5:00 PM EST, Americans flying to the United States from China will be re-routed to the following airports at no cost to the traveler:
John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK), New York
Chicago O’Hare International Airport (ORD), Illinois
San Francisco International Airport (SFO), California
Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (SEA), Washington
Daniel K. Inouye International Airport (HNL), Hawaii
Los Angeles International Airport, (LAX), California
Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL), Georgia
Washington-Dulles International Airport (IAD), Virginia
Effective at 6:30 AM EST on Monday, February 3rd, this list of airports is expanded to include:
Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR), New Jersey
Effective at 7:30 AM EST on Monday, February 3rd, this list of airports is expanded to include:
Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport (DFW), Texas
Detroit Metropolitan Airport (DTW), Michigan
Although the CDC expects more cases of the coronavirus in the U.S., the risk of infection for Americans remains low, and all agencies are working aggressively to monitor this continuously evolving situation and to keep the public educated and informed:
Locations with Confirmed COVID-19 Cases
- China
- Hong Kong
- Macau
- Taiwan
- Australia
- Belgium
- Cambodia
- Canada
- Finland
- France
- Germany
- India
- Italy
- Japan
- Malaysia
- Nepal
- Philippines
- Russia
- Sri Lanka
- Singapore
- Spain
- Sweden
- Thailand
- The Republic of Korea
- United Arab Emirates
- United Kingdom
- United States
- Vietnam
For the latest information on the outbreak, visit CDC’s Novel Coronavirus 2019 website.
What precautions to take
Currently, there is no vaccine to prevent the COVID-19 infection and no medication to treat it. CDC believes symptoms appear 2 to 14 days after exposure. The best way to prevent infection is to avoid exposure. These basic health measures can reduce the spread of infection.
- Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. An easy way to mark the time is to hum the “Happy Birthday” song from beginning to end twice while scrubbing.
- Use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol.
- Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth with unwashed hands.
- Avoid close contact with people who are sick.
- Stay home when you are sick or becoming sick.
- Cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue (not your hands) and throw the tissue in the trash.
- Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces.
- Getting a flu shot is recommended.
What precautions to take when traveling
The U.S. government has imposed travel restrictions for all non-essential travel to China. Additionally, U.S. citizens returning from the region will undergo enhanced screening procedures. Generally, foreign nationals (other than immediate family of U.S. citizens, permanent residents and flight crew) who have traveled in China within 14 days of their arrival, will be denied entry into the U.S. If you have international travel plans, review this specific guidance for travelers.*
What to do if you have symptoms
If you have both
- symptoms of fever, cough, and shortness of breath and
- have either recently returned from China or have direct exposure to others diagnosed with COVID-19.
Call before visiting your local VA medical center to seek care. Tell them about your recent travel and your symptoms.
To avoid spreading the virus to others, follow the precautions listed above.
Links to CDC resources such as FAQs and fact sheets
* Links with an asterisk (*) next to them will take you outside the VA website. VA is not responsible for the content of the linked site.