The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Poland and the Chief Sanitary Inspectorate have issued announcements in which they advise against travelling to 11 municipalities in Italy which are being quarantined due to the occurrence of Coronavirus SARS-CoV-2 (in Lombardy: Codogno, Castiglione d’Adda, Casalpusterlengo, Fombio, Maleo, Somaglia, Bertonico, Terranova dei Passerini, Castelgerundo, San Fiorano; in Veneto: Vò Euganeo, Padua).

Following the recommendations of the Ministry and the Inspectorate, the University of Warsaw advises to:

  • cancel trips of employees, students and doctoral students to the 11 Italian municipalities in quarantine;
  • contact UW Italian partners from the 11 municipalities in quarantine with a suggestion to postpone or cancel visits of employees, students and doctoral students to the University of Warsaw.

The International Relations Office (IRO) is in constant individual contact with students and staff planning visits to the Italian partner universities under the Erasmus programme. IRO, together with the Foundation for the Development of the Education System (National Erasmus Agency in Poland), is in the process of establishing procedures regulating possible shortening or cancellation of mobilities.

At the same time, due to the dynamic nature of the situation, we recommend following the announcements for travellers in connection with the spread of Coronavirus SARS-CoV-2, posted on the websites of:

All those who are planning trips to Italian regions which are not in quarantine are also advised to follow the announcements of the Italian sanitary services.

Decisions regarding temporary absence from the University of persons who returned to Poland from countries where Coronavirus cases occurred shall be taken individually:

  • in the case of staff – by heads of units (deans of faculties and heads of other units)
  • in the case of students – by heads of didactic units (vice-deans for student affairs and deputy heads for student affairs).

All those who are planning trips to other countries where Coronavirus cases have occurred are advised to follow the announcements on the website of the Chief Sanitary Inspectorate and the recommendations for travellers on the website of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and to take safety precautions, as described above.

At the same time, we remind you of the recommendations of the World Health Organization on the prevention of coronavirus infections (https://www.who.int/emergencies/diseases/novel-coronavirus-2019/advice-for-public).

WHO experts recommend:

  • “Frequently clean hands by using alcohol-based hand rub or soap and water;
  • When coughing and sneezing cover mouth and nose with flexed elbow or tissue – throw tissue away immediately and wash hands;
  • Avoid close contact with anyone who has fever and cough;
  • If you have fever, cough and difficulty breathing seek medical care early and share previous travel history with your health care provider;
  • When visiting live markets in areas currently experiencing cases of novel coronavirus, avoid direct unprotected contact with live animals and surfaces in contact with animals;
  • The consumption of raw or undercooked animal products should be avoided. Raw meat, milk or animal organs should be handled with care, to avoid cross-contamination with uncooked foods, as per good food safety practices.”

 

Source: www.en.uw.edu.pl