With vaccination rates being lower than expected and a spike in the Delta variant presently occurring, UA Cossatot has been monitoring the CDC and the prevailing local health conditions to make decisions designed to protect our students and employees. Yesterday, the University of Arkansas Board of Trustees passed a resolution that stated in part “…WHEREAS, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has recommended that, based on the spread of the Delta variant, communities with high transmission of COVID-19 should require individuals, regardless of vaccination status, to wear face coverings in indoor public settings; and WHEREAS the Board passed a resolution in May 2020 directing UA System institutions to adopt policies requiring face coverings in university facilities when physical distancing cannot be assured, and that such policies remain in effect as long as the use of face coverings is recommended by the CDC…”.

Based on this directive, and after meeting with our employees and Board of Visitors, beginning Monday, August 16^th, all UA Cossatot campuses will require face coverings according to Procedure 1000, which requires that faculty, staff, students, and visitors are required to wear a face covering while in campus facilities. The following indoor exceptions apply to this procedure:

• Employees working alone in their offices.
• Participating in activities in which a face covering cannot be worn, or would prohibit normal breathing functions (such as eating, drinking, playing sports).
• Individuals with a documented disability.
• Instructors in outdoor or shop-type areas.

This face covering requirement will be in effect until the CDC designates all four counties in our service area as YELLOW (Moderate Risk) or GREEN (Low Risk). All four counties are currently RED (High Risk). I have included a link to the CDC Tracker here:

https://covid.cdc.gov/covid-data-tracker/.

We will post CDC updates on our UA Cossatot website and all social media platforms. We will also send students email updates as conditions change.

It has been widely reported the strain the Delta variant has placed on our medical communities. In fact, our regional facilities are feeling the strain more now than ever before. We feel it is our obligation to make every reasonable effort to mitigate the spread of this virus and the highly contagious Delta variant. There is no doubt we must all work together to mitigate COVID by making safe and informed decisions, especially while the threat of this virus is high. The health and safety of our students and staff will remain my highest priority.

• Communication and contact tracing are still vitally important as we monitor students and employees who may be exposed to COVID.  The rules and guidance related to quarantine and isolation (based on Arkansas Department of Health guidelines) continue to evolve depending on your vaccination status.  If you have been in close contact with someone who has COVID or if you have tested positive, please contact the following people:
  • For UA Cossatot students, contact Dr. Ashley Aylett (aaylett@cccua.edu)
  • For UA Cossatot employees, contact Ms. Kelly Plunk (kplunk@cccua.edu)

Please consider being vaccinated and please wear a mask!

Chancellor Cole

August 2, 2021 - Update

Greetings to all students, faculty, and staff at UA Cossatot.

Here it is, the start of a fresh semester and here we are, dealing with another outbreak of COVID-19.

The Chancellor’s Cabinet at UA Cossatot has been monitoring the prevailing health conditions of our local area and, as we did this past year, we will continue to sanitize classrooms and other public spaces and provide masks and hand sanitizers for all students and employees that choose to wear one.

For the upcoming fall semester, here are a few things we want everyone to consider:

• If you have questions about vaccinations, mask use, etc., please talk to your family physician, pharmacist, or other professional who is specifically trained in this area.  Please don’t rely on social media, unreliable “news” sources, or other unqualified messengers.  The most important thing is for everyone to make really good, informed decisions about their own health and how they can help reduce the spread of COVID and reduce the risk associated with it in case they test positive for it. 
• Getting vaccinated remains your best option for protection against the virus.  If you haven’t done so already, I strongly encourage you to get fully vaccinated as soon as possible.  If you need additional information about how and why to get vaccinated locally, please reach out to Dr. Ashley Aylett (aaylett@cccua.edu) for a complete list of locations that offer free vaccines. 
• There is currently a state law that states that UA Cossatot cannot require masks on our campuses.  Even though we don’t require masks when you are on campus, masks are effective in preventing direct exposure to airborne virus particles, and we strongly encourage you to wear a mask if social distancing is not possible.
• Communication and contact tracing are still vitally important as we monitor students and employees who may be exposed to COVID.  The rules and guidance related to quarantine and isolation (based on Arkansas Department of Health guidelines) continue to evolve depending on your vaccination status.  If you have been in close contact with someone who has COVID or if you have tested positive, please contact the following people:
  • For UA Cossatot students, contact Dr. Ashley Aylett (aaylett@cccua.edu)
  • For UA Cossatot employees, contact Ms. Kelly Plunk (kplunk@cccua.edu)

We are looking forward to a fantastic fall semester!  We will all have to work hard to take care of one another and have a successful academic year. 

As always, please let me know if I can do anything for you!

Dr. Cole

At UA Cossatot, health and safety of our campus community are top priorities.

Governor Hutchinson is allowing the state mask mandate to expire March 31, 2021 and, while this is a great sign of a return to normalcy, UA Cossatot will maintain our current COVID-19 guidelines until May 28, 2021, which includes mask use and social distancing guidelines. 

Contact tracing is an extremely important component to slowing the spread of COVID-19. If you receive a call from one of the belown numbers, it is important to answer the call!

The CDC has released new guidelines for quarantine. To provide clarity for higher education institutions, ADHE, ADH, and UAMS have developed the following position:

Standard quarantine for 14 day release: 14 day quarantine is the safest option and still recommended. UAMS must be able to confirm asymptomatic status to release.

Minimum requirements for 10 day release: Individuals placed into quarantine as a result of a close contact may be released after a minimum of 10 days if they have been asymptomatic throughout quarantine. The individual must notify their campus POC to request early release. The POC will verify absence of symptoms with UAMS to grant official release.

Minimum requirements for 7 day release: Individuals placed into quarantine as a result of a close contact may be released after a minimum of 7 days if they both: (1.) Have been asymptomatic throughout the quarantine period and (2.) Receive a negative Covid test* result taken no sooner than five days after last exposure. The individual must notify their campus POC to request early release and provide negative test results. The POC will verify absence of symptoms with UAMS to grant official release.

In case of early release: Individuals must adhere strictly to other measures to reduce spread (masking, social distancing, hand hygiene, monitoring symptoms, reduce social activities, etc.) through day 14. If symptoms of COVID-19 develop after early release, the individual should immediately isolate and be tested for COVID-19 (even if they previously had a negative test during this quarantine period).

Face Coverings

The use of appropriate face coverings — cloth face mask or shield, if a mask cannot be worn for medical reasons — is important for the health and well-being of our campus community. Face coverings should cover both the nose and mouth.

The following requirements apply to all students, employees and visitors on campus. The requirements do not apply to individuals with documented medical conditions where masks cannot be worn.  

Indoors: Face Coverings Required in Campus Buildings

Face coverings are required at all times indoors on campus with the following limited exceptions:

1. A face covering may be removed in a private office or private room when no one else is present.
2. Face coverings may be removed while dining but should be worn before eating and replaced as soon as possible after eating.

Outdoors: Face Coverings Required When Social Distancing Cannot Be Maintained

Face coverings are required outdoors when social distancing of six feet can’t be assured.

We expect our community to comply with the use of face coverings in all required settings. Those not complying with use of face coverings may be asked to leave and return with a face covering.

Social Distancing

Social distancing – staying at least 6-feet apart - reduces the spread of COVID-19. What does 6-feet look like? It’s like leaving enough room for two refrigerators standing between you and the person closest to you.

Classes are being reconfigured to allow for social distancing, with seats that are at least 6-feet apart. Flexible schedules to allow for smaller class sizes and larger venues are also being put into place. Classes may be streamed or recorded on video as well, so those who may be self-isolating will have access to their classrooms and stay on track. Please work with your instructors if you must self-isolate.

Contact Tracing and Quarantine Protocols

We have partnered with UAMS for contact tracing which will consist of a comprehensive contact tracing program to help keep our campus safe and quickly notify anyone who may have been in close contact with someone who tests positive. After someone tests positive, UAMS will reach out to the individual to gather information regarding symptoms along with a list of individuals the person had contact with. UAMS will then reach out to those individuals to let them know they had exposure to a positive COVID case. It is important to answer calls from unknown numbers during this time as it may be contact tracers.

The contact tracing liaison for UA Cossatot is Vice Chancellor for Academics, Dr. Ashley Aylett. You may reach her at aaylett@cccua.edu

Click here for a press release detailing contact tracing.

Classroom and Campus Flexibility

A blended approach will be used for classes in the fall, with expanded schedules for in-person classes to allow for smaller class size and social distancing, as well as a shift of some classes to online format or a combination of the two. Additionally, classes may be available on video for students who may need to social distance. Students may have the ability to attend some in-person classes remotely if they choose to do so. Please continue to check schedules in Campus Connect to be aware with each class’s location and method of delivery before the first day. You may reach out to Vice Chancellor for Academics Dr. Ashley Aylett @ aaylett@cccua.edu with any questions.

Attendance

Please work directly with your instructors should you need to be absent from on-site courses due to quarantine or a similar situation.

UA Cossatot Educational Resource Center (ERC)

De Queen and Nashville ERCs will fully reopen and begin distributing fall textbooks August 10, 2020. The Ashdown ERC will distribute textbooks by appointment. Remote access to library resources and online databases continues to be available. Tutoring will be available in-person and remotely. Additional details and contact information are available at www.youseemore.com/cccua

Campus Cafes

UAC’s Campus Cafes, located on the Nashville and De Queen campuses, will reopen for normal hours August 17. Café information can be found at https://www.cccua.edu/student-life/campus-dining.

In regards to the mask mandate while on campuses. Those dining will be allowed to remove masks while eating and drinking.

Clean Campus

UA Cossatot strives to present clean, safe, and healthy campuses for students, staff, and the community in general.  Daily cleaning of frequently touched surfaces as well as disinfection with an EPA-registered disinfectant is one of UA Cossatot’s measures for prevention of viral respiratory illnesses and part of the college’s regular cleaning routine.

Restrooms are a focus area for high use/touch disinfection throughout each day.

Hand sanitizer stations are located in primary entrances, high traffic areas, and most large classrooms. Additional stations are available in other public areas as needed.

Our facilities management staff disinfects high traffic touchpoints daily – including door handles and push plates, student desktop surfaces and classroom teaching surfaces.

Our traditional drinking fountains will be disabled until further notice. Facilities Management will work towards a prioritized and equitable plan for replacing traditional drinking fountains with bottle fill stations over the next several months.

If you have a primary care physican you may reach out to them for testing or you may utilize the local Health Units.

Please note Health Unit testing is by appointment only. If you have insurance, please bring your insurance card.  If you do not have insurance, there will be no charge to you.

In Sevier County:

Sevier County Health Unit
304 N 4^th Street
DeQueen, AR  71832
Call 870-642-2535 for an appointment.     

In Howard County:

Howard County Health Unit
201 East Hempstead Suite 2
Nashville, AR 71852
Call 870-845-2208 for an appointment.

In Little River County:

Little River County Health Unit
150 Keller St.
Ashdown, AR 71822
Call 870-898-3831 for an appointment.

In Pike County:

Pike County Health Unit
15 Caddo Drive
Murfreesboro, AR 71958
Call 870-285-3154 for an appointment.

UA Cossatot Spring 2021 COVID-19 Plan

UA Cossatot Fall 2020 COVID-19 Plan

We here at ADH want to keep you informed regarding the novel coronavirus. Specifically, we want to inform you about considerations for your employees.

Employees Being Monitored Due to Possible Exposure

If any of your employees are being monitored due to their possible exposure to coronavirus disease 2019, also referred to as COVID-19, they will be placed under home self-quarantine by the Arkansas Department of Health (ADH) for 14 days. If this occurs, ADH will provide the person with a letter, and they have the option of requesting a letter be provided to you as well. This letter provides additional information regarding the quarantine, including the date the employee can return to work.

During this time, the person is expected to stay home during the entire 14-day period and not leave for any reason, except to seek any needed medical care.

If the employee does not develop symptoms of COVID-19 prior to the end of the self-quarantine period, they will be free to resume normal activities, including school or work. They will also receive a letter stating they have completed the home quarantine period.

Please call the ADH at 1-800-803-7847 if you have any questions.

Resources:

• ADH Guidance for Employers (flyer) | Spanish

​

Contact tracing focuses on close contacts while a positive patient was infectious. The infectious period begins 48 hours before the patient’s symptoms began. If the person with COVID-19 never developed symptoms, the infectious period begins the 48 hours before the positive test was collected. A person is considered a close contact if they have been within 6 feet of the patient for at least 15 minutes. If a person is thought to be a close contact, then a contact tracer will give them a call. If the exposure wasn’t within 6 feet, if it didn’t last 15 minutes or more, or if it occurred before the infectious period, that person would not be considered a close contact and will not receive a phone call from a contact tracer.

CDC Guidance

Recommended strategies for employers to use now, for any infectious disease:

• Actively encourage sick employees to stay home
• Separate sick employees
• Emphasize staying home when sick, respiratory etiquette and hand hygiene by all employees
• Perform routine environmental cleaning
• Advise employees before traveling to take certain steps

See CDC’s full Guidance for Businesses and Employers to Plan and Respond to COVID-19 by clicking here.

Global case numbers are reported by the World Health Organization (WHO) in their coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) situation report. For U.S. information, visit CDC’s COVID-19 in the U.S. This following location list is found here.

ADH Guidelines

UA Cossatot will begin Phase 3 of its summer reopening plan on Monday, July 20. Phase 3 means that UA Cossatot will be getting closer to a normal workday for employees and students. Phase 3 has all 12-month employees coming back to campus after many were working remotely during the COVID-19 pandemic. All campuses will be open to students as well, providing in-person assistance for fall 2020 registration.

Things will be much different though, according to UA Cossatot Chancellor, Dr. Steve Cole “While we certainly don’t have a playbook for COVID-19, we know we have to try to get back to as close to normal as we can, and for us, that is getting everyone back on campus and serving students. Our staff has developed a comprehensive plan to reopen safely, meaning we will be following all CDC safety guidelines, including proper social distancing and the mandatory wearing of face masks. We understand this is hard for some, but we feel this is the best defense we have in keeping students and employees safe.”

UA Cossatot will use Phase 3 to prepare for the fall 2020 semester, which is slated to start on August 17. Vice Chancellor of Academics, Ashley Aylett says that UA Cossatot will have face-to-face classes, but they may not be the traditional classes some are used to, “Our faculty have taken the time to design face-to-face courses that provide for easy social distancing and limit the time students spend in the classroom. We feel we are prepared to bring students into a safe environment, but have everything in place to move completely online if our local health conditions deteriorate to the point where we have to shutter our college”.

UA Cossatot will have special entrances, and signs will be posted on all campuses reminding students and visitors that you must have a face mask on to be in campus buildings, and you must stay six feet away from others at all times.

On Friday, July 10, 2020, Arkansas Governor, Asa Hutchinson, held a press conference to discuss the latest information concerning COVID-19 in De Queen at University of Arkansas Cossatot.  Prior to the press conference, a private luncheon was also held at the college for Governor Hutchinson and Sevier County community leaders to discuss updates, reports, and future plans.

The luncheon took place at noon, where Governor Hutchinson spoke with community leaders and representatives from Sevier County.  Topics concerning the economy, education, as well as health and safety in Sevier County were discussed. 

The press conference began at 1:30 P.M., where UA Cossatot Chancellor, Dr. Steve Cole, welcomed everyone and introduced the governor. 

Governor Asa Hutchinson said, “It is good to be in De Queen, and the commitment of this community in terms of reducing the spread and cases of COVID-19 is a success story.  The members of this community have done a good job handling everything.” 

Hutchinson also added, “It is good to hear that the economy is doing well here in Sevier County despite the number of cases that have occurred.”

The governor encouraged everyone to continue to take responsibility and to do their part.  Wearing masks and social distancing was recommended to help decrease the spread of the virus.

Governor Hutchinson was also joined by Dr. Nate Smith and Dr. Jose Romero from the Arkansas Department of Health. 

Dr. Smith said that Sevier County has been hit hard by COVID-19, but he appreciated the community for the way its residents have addressed the challenge of preventing it.  Dr. Smith stated that as of July 10, Arkansas has 26, 803 total cases of COVID-19, and 5,847 active cases. 

Dr. Smith also addressed Sevier County’s number of cases and praised the amount of testing that has taken place in Sevier.  2,563 people in Sevier County have been tested per a 10,000 population, which is twice the state average of 1,225.  Dr. Smith also added that about 90% of the Sevier County residents who had COVID-19 are recovered.

Dr. Romero also addressed everyone at the press conference about COVID-19 concerns in Spanish, while UA Cossatot Center for Student Success Coordinator, Erika Buenrrostro translated in English.

At the end of the conference, Governor Hutchinson answered questions from the press. He stated that Arkansas has experienced success in flattening the curve this past spring and will need to translate that same success for the summer and fall.

The University of Arkansas Cossatot will safely re-open its four campuses by appointment starting Monday, June 29, for anyone wanting to register for classes or seek help from a UA Cossatot employee.  Due to Covid-19, UA Cossatot’s campuses have been temporarily closed, but will now be re-opening by appointment. 

All departments within the college, including, Student Services, Financial Aid, and the Business Office have developed schedules and numbers for students to call and set up an appointment. The phone numbers of each employee in each department can be viewed at wwww.cccua.edu/directory.  Anyone needing assistance at the college can also call 870-844-4471 to be directed to the department they need so they can schedule an appointment.  

UA Cossatot has signage and safety measures in place for when visitors come to the college, so they will know where to be directed.  Visitors will be asked to check-in at the front desk of each campus.  Students and visitors must call ahead to make their appointment and when on campus must wear protective masks and fill out a short health questionnaire.  At the entrance, disposable masks will be given to each visitor if they do not have one.

UA Cossatot is looking forward to helping students and potential students by appointment and will continue to offer assistance online, by phone, via zoom, or through Facebook.

For more information, please call UA Cossatot at 870-844-4471.

Dear UA System students, faculty and staff:

The Board of Trustees met again on June 17 to continue monitoring the University of Arkansas System response to the COVID-19 pandemic and to address issues related to the reopening of campuses, divisions and units in the coming months. The Board considered resolutions on fall class scheduling and the use of cloth face coverings, and heard reports from four campus chancellors on their preparations for reopening for the fall semester, among other agenda items. Specifically:

• The Board passed a resolution directing the chancellors and chief executive officers of system institutions to work with appropriate campus constituencies to consider modifications and contingencies to the traditional academic calendar for the fall semester. Potential modifications include extending class periods and instructional days, eliminating traditional fall breaks, and planning for the potential of shifting to remote instruction after Thanksgiving in order to maximize instruction time while limiting the need for students, faculty and staff to travel and increase the risk of exposure to COVID-19.

• The Board discussed and delayed consideration of a resolution to require the use of cloth face coverings in institutional facilities when physical distancing is not possible, in accordance with public health guidance. Board members requested that the resolution be modified to specify stipulations regarding campus guests and to address participation in extracurricular activities such as athletics. A revised resolution will be considered at the next Board meeting in July.

• The Board heard fall semester campus reopening updates from University of Arkansas, Fayetteville Chancellor Dr. Joe Steinmetz, University of Arkansas-Pulaski Technical College Chancellor Dr. Margaret Ellibee, University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff Chancellor Dr. Laurence Alexander, and Cossatot Community College of the University of Arkansas Chancellor Dr. Steve Cole.
The Board was impressed with the range, level and depth of the planning described by the chancellors, which included efforts to promote social distancing on campus through modified classroom layouts and scheduling, changes to food service protocols, and reductions to residence hall capacities, among other measures. Also discussed were the procurement of personal protective supplies for students, faculty and staff and the plans for handling potential cases of COVID-19 on campuses.

We appreciate the continued patience and support of all UA System campus constituencies during these unique times. The Board will meet again on July 15 to continue oversight of the system response to the pandemic. Additional chancellors will report at the meeting and the Board will consider further actions to provide necessary support to students, faculty and staff across the system.

Sincerely,

Donald R. Bobbitt, President
University of Arkansas System

John Goodson, Chair
Board of Trustees of the University of Arkansas

Since March of 2020, we have all been dealing with an epidemic that we have never seen before. COVID-19 has changed the way we live and especially the way we learn! UA Cossatot has been working with our students, employees, and communities in trying to find the safest way to navigate the future. We must continue our lives but we need to do so playing by a new set of rules. There are many things we will need to do differently, especially when it comes to education. UA Cossatot had to make some important decisions regarding education during the spring and summer semesters. These decisions were not easy and were made with student safety in mind. As we get ready for our next chapter in fighting COVID-19 together, we are already making decisions for our fall semester. 

We want each current and future UA Cossatot student to know that we will be open this fall (unless local health conditions warrant an alternate schedule), but we will be open with safety in mind.

We will be changing the way we teach in the classroom by making sure we are following proper social distancing rules, exercising the proper usage of masks, and making sure we are all protecting each other’s health and well-being. We are also offering online courses for students who are still not comfortable with face-to-face classes. (Of course, UA Cossatot was the first college in Arkansas to offer an online degree, so we know a thing or two about online education!)

The bottom line is UA Cossatot is ready for the “new normal” and we want our current and future students (and their parents and legal guardians!) to know this. 

UA Cossatot’s campuses will be as safe as we can possibly make them, and we will still continue to offer the quality instruction that has led our college to have the fourth highest graduation rate in Arkansas.

Education is what we do best and we will keep doing our best for you…safely.

Sincerely,

Dr. Steve Cole
UA Cossatot Chancellor​

The purpose of this three-phase plan is to prepare UA Cossatot’s staff, students, and community for the gradual reopening of all UA Cossatot campuses.

Based on current guidance, UA Cossatot will employ a gradual return to normal for our students and community. Since the advent of COVID-19 in our community, UA Cossatot has shuttered campuses to students and visitors. Employees of UA Cossatot have been allowed to work from home (providing employees can effectively and productively complete their job duties) from the very beginning of the COVID-19 epidemic, while many employees have been coming to work on campus under strict social distancing and other CDC safety guidelines. This plan is designed to guide our college and inform our public through the summer to prepare for a full reopening this fall. UA Cossatot’s COVID-19 Task Force is currently preparing the reopening plan for fall of 2020.

The following conditions will guide this and all future COVID-19 plans at UA Cossatot:
• The number and rate of positive COVID-19 cases in our local communities
• The testing, quarantine, isolation capabilities, and exposure protocols in place at our college
• Controls are in place to ensure the college has adequate PPE and cleaning services available for each campus
• Guidance from the University of Arkansas System, Local and State Health Entities, and the Arkansas Governor’s Office

This plan should be considered a fluid response to the COVID-19 epidemic and may be changed based on the prevailing or impending health conditions locally, statewide, and regionally.

View Full Three-Phase Plan

Dear UA System students, faculty and staff:

In keeping with our efforts to inform students and employees about developments surrounding UA System planning during these uncertain times, we wanted to provide you with an update on matters addressed by the Board of Trustees at its regular meeting on May 20-21 via virtual conference. Regarding the ongoing planning surrounding the COVID-19 pandemic, the Board heard updates on the preparations for the fall semester, considered relevant policy revisions, and reviewed tuition and fee schedules and institutional budgets for the 2021 fiscal year, among other issues. Specifically:

• The Board approved flat tuition and fee schedules for two- and four-year campuses and minor increases at UAMS for the fall 2020 semester. In these times of uncertainty, the Board and campus administrators across the system have sought to provide some financial relief to students and families in preparation for the coming academic year. While all campuses face fiscal challenges due to the pandemic, we all agree that keeping the cost of attendance as affordable as possible for students is a top priority.

• The Board approved budgets for the 2021 fiscal year in which campuses across the system have done their best to absorb anticipated losses in state funding while making every effort to minimize the impact on students and employees. These are lean financial times everywhere, and we must do our best to steward our limited resources in ways that best serve each institution’s central mission.

• President Bobbitt provided the trustees with an update on the ongoing planning across the system for reopening institutions for the fall semester. A systemwide task force continues to meet to discuss the latest information from health officials including campus reopening guidance from the Centers for Disease Control. Additional task force issues include campus PPE and sanitation needs, class scheduling and potential revisions to the academic calendar to reduce risk of spreading the coronavirus.

• The Board heard updates from seven campus athletics directors about health and safety plans for welcoming student athletes to campus when allowed by the NCAA on or after June 1.

• The Board passed a resolution temporarily amending Board Policy 440.1 Tuition Waivers for Employees, which provides tuition discounts to full-time employees and their dependents. The resolution allows for campuses to make exceptions to continue to provide this benefit to employees whose full-time status is affected by the COVID-19 pandemic through the fall semester.

The next special board meeting to address COVID-19 related issues will be June 17, 2020. As has been the case since the pandemic hit Arkansas in March, the Board and the UA System will continue to monitor developments related to COVID-19 and campus plans for reopening this fall. In the meantime, we hope everyone remains healthy and safe as many of you head into your summer break.

Sincerely,

Donald R. Bobbitt, President
University of Arkansas System

John Goodson, Chair
Board of Trustees of the University of Arkansas

We are now several months in to the COVID-19 outbreak and UA Cossatot has been working diligently to ensure the safety of our students, staff, and community. Now that we know our summer courses will be offered online, our attention has already shifted to how we will approach the Fall 2020 semester.

While we will keep relying on guidance from the Governor’s office, our state health care professionals and the University of Arkansas System, we will also be developing a local plan so our campuses can safely be open for students this fall.

To aid in our Fall 2020 decisions, I have appointed the UA Cossatot COVID-19 Task Force. This is a task force that is comprised of committees that will oversee developing our campus strategy for a safe Fall 2020 semester. The task force is comprised of the following committees: Contingency Planning, Academics and Student Assistance, Communicable Diseases, Communications, Events, Facilities/Partners/Contractors/Logistics, Finances, Health and Safety/Environmental Safety, Human Resources, Outreach/Alumni, Athletics, Information Technology.

These committees have already started working on contingency plans in all of these areas. They will be taking into account several different scenarios that UA Cossatot could face this fall. The scenarios range from the most likely to the most unlikely and will include how UA Cossatot will respond to each.

We feel that this contingency plan, along with continued input and guidance from the Governor’s office, health care professionals around the state and the University of Arkansas System will allow UA Cossatot to be fully prepared to have a safe and productive fall semester for our students, staff, and the community members we serve each day.

While we do not know what the future holds in regards to the COVID-19 outbreak, we do know we need to be prepared and we feel that the COVID-19 Task Force will create the blueprint that will allow this to happen.

We are seeing many students already enrolling for summer and fall and our registration is certainly still open for both semesters. We have made our entire registration process available online for the safety and convenience of our students. We are also working on virtual tours of our campuses. Our website contains all the information students need to register: https://www.cccua.edu.

These are unprecedented and unexplored times but we will all make it through by working together. You can always find more UA Cossatot information on Facebook (ED88 and UAC) and on our http://www.ed88radio.com and http://www.cccua.edu websites.

Thank You,

Dr. Steve Cole
Chancellor, UA Cossatot

UA Cossatot understands that COVID-19 has altered our lives considerably and getting back to some semblance of normal will be a welcome relief, but we also understand that we are involved in a marathon and not a sprint. We are starting to see businesses across Arkansas ramping up their openings, albeit with proper safety guidelines in place. As for UA Cossatot, we are finishing our spring semester by allowing our technical students to safely complete their requirements on campus. We have UA System – approved and extremely strict guidelines for these students as our campuses are still technically closed to visitors and normal student traffic. Currently we are open for business by email, phone or our website as all employees are either on-campus or connected to campus by Virtual Private Networks.

Our spring graduation has been moved and combined with our December Winter graduation. We feel this is the safest and most prudent way to show our appreciation to all of our graduates.

Our summer terms will be completely on-line but we expect our fall semester to be as close to “normal” as possible. This will include proper safety guidelines for all students and staff. We will have a plan “B” just in case another major COVID-19 outbreak occurs during the fall semester.

This week we launched our UA Cossatot CARES Grant (www.cccua.edu/CARES ), a $500 grant funded by Federal stimulus funds designed to assist students who were enrolled in the spring semester and who were directly impacted by the COVID-19 outbreak. We received $387,000 earmarked for our students, and there will be more funds available for students that demonstrate continuing hardships due to COVID-19.

Our registration continues to be open for the summer and fall semesters. We have made our entire registration process available online for the safety and convenience of our students. Our website contains all the information students need to register: www.cccua.edu/enroll.

We do not know when we will be operating as normal, but rest assured, we will always be here for our students and the community. We just want to take a measured and sensible approach to fully reopening our campuses. As I have said before, these are unprecedented and unexplored times but we will all make it through by working together. You can always find more UA Cossatot information on Facebook (ED88 and UAC) and on our CCCUA.EDU website.

Thank You,

Dr. Steve Cole
Chancellor, UA Cossatot

University of Arkansas Cossatot has announced its application process to distribute Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act funds for Spring 2020 students. These $500 UA Cossatot CARES Grants are intended to help offset expenses students experienced because of the COVID-19 health emergency. The last day to submit applications is May 31, 2020.

Eligible students include those who have a valid 2019-2020 Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) on file with the college and who attended at least one in-person class prior to March 13th. 

Ineligible students include those who were taking only online courses before March 13th, international students, concurrently enrolled high school students, and students not enrolled in a degree-seeking program. Students who need assistance with their 2019-2020 FAFSA can contact UA Cossatot’s Financial Aid Department.

Students should check their email for the UA Cossatot CARES Grant application link to apply today. For more information on eligibility requirements and a list of Frequently Asked Questions please visit www.cccua.edu/CARE.

Dear University of Arkansas System students, faculty and staff: On behalf of the Board of Trustees and the administration of the University of Arkansas System, we are writing to give you an update on the ongoing efforts of the Board and the system to provide support to students and employees during this challenging time.

As you know, the UA System has done its part to slow the spread of the virus by moving classes online, encouraging remote work for employees and utilizing social distancing for those few students, faculty and staff who remain on our campuses. While we know these transitions have been challenging and at times frustrating, the health and safety of our campus communities are our No. 1 priority during this public health crisis. We sincerely appreciate your patience and cooperation, and we are grateful to our Chancellors and campus leaders for their tireless work during these stressful times. The Board of Trustees has committed to virtual meetings every three weeks, or as needed, to address the issues that have arisen from this pandemic. This commitment by the trustees underscores how important they feel it is for the Board to act in a decisive and timely manner on matters affecting our students and institutions.

On April 8, the Board met and approved five resolutions to provide flexibility and support to students. These resolutions include maintaining flat tuition and fees for the fall semester; providing credits or adjustments for room and board costs at institutions where student housing closed; moving summer term courses to online-only; canceling in-person summer athletic and academic camps; and providing flexibility to institutions to modify admissions requirements to remove entrance obstacles for new students this fall. Text of the resolutions is available on the UA System website. The Board is keenly aware of the health and economic challenges this pandemic has presented to students and their families, and to faculty and staff across the UA System. Future meetings will continue to focus on removing as many barriers as possible for students to progress toward the goal of earning a degree and planning for the fall term. Finally, we want to thank all of our institutions for their efforts beyond the boundaries of their individual campuses to help our state fight the COVID-19 pandemic. First, we must single out all of the employees of the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences. From the emergency room physicians, nurses and other clinicians to the hospital administration, clerical staff and custodial team, every employee of UAMS has played a critical role in responding to the pandemic. Beyond UAMS, we have heard countless stories of actions taken across our institutions to support the medical community that is on the front lines of this crisis. From making face masks to donating extra supplies of personal protective equipment, the institutions across the UA System have stepped up in big ways, and we appreciate all who have participated.

We know that our state and country will bounce back from this difficult time and that the UA System will continue its key mission to advance the intellectual capital and economic development of Arkansas and its citizens. We look forward to a day when we can gather again in classrooms, dorm rooms and dining halls and for those events such as commencements and athletic contests that are critical to our traditional college experience. Until that time, we wish the very best for you and your families.

Sincerely,

John Goodson, Chairman
Board of Trustees of the University of Arkansas

Donald R. Bobbitt, Ph.D., UA System President
Charles E. Scharlau Presidential Leadership Chair

The COVID-19 outbreak continues to be the dominating presence in our daily lives and at UA Cossatot. From day one of this outbreak, we have been focused on the safety of our students, staff, and stakeholders and as we move forward, we will continue to do just that. According to most models that predict the peak of the COVID-19 outbreak for the United States, the peak in Arkansas is expected to occur around May 2^nd. With this information, and input from colleagues around the state, it makes good sense for all of us at UA Cossatot to continue what we are presently doing. This means until at least May 1^st, our campuses will continue to be closed to students and visitors and our employees will continue to work on campus, or from home if they are set up to do so. Those that do come to campus to work will be under strict guidance to practice social distancing and when at all possible, wear masks to protect each other.

We will continue to serve and provide all the resources our students need to be successful in their online learning environment. We do have a plan in place to take care of our hands-on, technical course students. That will occur after May 1^st, providing it is safe to do so and we have the proper permissions from the UA System.

As for the summer and fall semesters, our registration is open for both semesters. We have made our entire registration process available online for the safety and convenience of our students. Our website contains all the information students need to register: www.cccua.edu/enroll. 

Our summer term will feature ONLY online courses, including some new and innovative courses that our faculty have put together to accommodate our students.

We are planning on a full and normal fall 2020 semester.

These are unprecedented and unexplored times but we will all make it through by working together. You can always find more UA Cossatot information on Facebook (ED88 and UAC) and on our CCCUA.EDU website.

Thank You,

Dr. Steve Cole
Chancellor, UA Cossatot

Hello UA Cossatot Student!

I am emailing you to check in to see if we can do anything for you during these difficult times. Our administration has had to make some tough decisions over the past several weeks regarding our students and I just wanted you to know that your safety was our number one concern in all of these decisions. Many of you are learning online for the very first time, and we know this can be challenging. I just wanted to let you know we will do whatever it takes to help you make it through this semester. For our technical students, our plan for you will come out tomorrow (Friday, April 3^rd) as to how you will finish this semester and still gain the skills you to need for employment.

We are also keeping our eye on the Federal CARES act, which may allow us to help our students that were affected by the COVID-19 outbreak. These funds may allow us to help students return to college, even during these difficult times. We will keep you updated on that potentially good news!

We are here for you, all you have to do is ask. Call or email your instructor, student services, or me personally (scole@cccua.edu) and we will assist you in any way humanly possible. There is a lot a good information on our website at https://www.cccua.edu.

Chancellor Cole

The COVID-19 epidemic continues to influence our lives in so many ways. The potential spread of this disease has altered the lives of our students and our employees. In the most recent press conference hosted by Arkansas Governor Asa Hutchinson, he indicated that the peak of COVID-19 infections for Arkansas could possibly occur in late April. While we all pray and hope that this will be sooner, and the peak less severe, we have a responsibility to protect our students, staff, and community.

Based on the information that we have, UA Cossatot will continue to operate as we have been since this pandemic started. We will continue to keep our campuses closed to students and visitors until at least Friday, April 17th. Our employees will continue to work either on campus or from home. Those employees that are working on campus must continue to observe the rules of social distancing and cleanliness.

We will continue to serve and provide all the resources our students need to be successful in the online environment. Our students, faculty, and staff have been unbelievable in answering these challenges in these very trying times. We will walk every mile with our students. We will make a determination regarding our hands-on technical course schedules on Friday, April 3rd. We understand that online learning is not an option for many technical students who learn many of their skills in lab and shop settings. We will be sensitive to the needs of these students and will find the best way to accommodate and allow them to complete their education in a safe setting.

As for the summer and fall semesters, our registration is open for both semesters. We have made our entire registration process online for the safety and convenience of our students. Our website contains all the information students need to register: https://www.cccua.edu. Our summer term will feature mainly online courses, but will have some in-class courses should the COVID-19 outbreak lessen enough to allow that to happen. We are planning on a full and normal fall 2020 semester. We are hoping that there will be additional educational assistance for students impacted by COVID-19.

These are unprecedented and unexplored times but we will all make it through by working together. You can always find more UA Cossatot information on Facebook (ED88 and UAC) and on our website.

Thank You,

Dr. Steve Cole
Chancellor, UA Cossatot

Hello UA Cossatot Student!

This has been one of the most challenging semesters in our history. I know it has certainly been challenging for you. I wish we could just make COVID-19 go away, but for right now, that doesn’t look like that will happen anytime soon. When we make decisions at UA Cossatot, we make them with YOU in mind. We want YOU to be successful. We also want YOU to be safe. To make sure you can keep learning, and at the same time be safe, effective immediately, if you are a UA Cossatot student enrolled in a lecture course, you will complete your entire spring semester using the Blackboard Online Learning Platform. While we understand this presents a unique way of learning to some students, it is the best and safest method we have in helping you complete your semester. If you are a student enrolled in a technical course (Medical Professions, Welding, Industrial Maintenance, Cosmetology, Agriculture, etc.), we will be making a determination next week on how we will best serve you.

Our faculty, student services staff, Educational Resource Center, and our administration stand ready to assist you in any way possible to help you achieve your desired learning goals during these tough times. If you are having trouble with internet connectivity or have a computer or laptop that isn’t getting the job done, please call us and we will do our best to help get you through the rest of the semester.

Also effective immediately, UA Cossatot will continue to keep our campuses closed to students and visitors at least through April 3^rd and our employees will be working either on campus or by their remote work schedules.

This semester is certainly a challenge but I wanted to personally let you know, we are all in this together and we want the very best for you, and that includes your safety! If there is anything I can do for you, please feel free to email me at: scole@cccua.edu and I will be happy to respond to you.

Thank you and please stay safe!

Chancellor Cole

The COVID-19 epidemic has created one of the most perilous times in Arkansas history. UA Cossatot stands ready to adapt to these new times and while we are dealing with these changes, we will always respect the health and well-being of our students, employees, and the public we serve.

Effective immediately, UA Cossatot students in lecture courses will complete their entire spring semester using the Blackboard Online Learning Platform. While we understand this presents a unique way of learning to some students, it is the best and safest method we have in helping students complete their semester. As for our students who are enrolled in technical courses (Medical Professions, Welding, Industrial Maintenance, Cosmetology, Agriculture, etc.), we will be making a determination next week on how we will best serve these students. Our faculty, student services staff, Educational Resource Center, and our administration stand ready to assist students in any way possible to help them achieve their desired learning goals during these tough times.

Also effective immediately, UA Cossatot will continue to keep our campuses closed to students and visitors at least through April 3rd and our employees will be working either on campus or by their remote work schedules. While on our campuses, our employees will be strictly observing the rules of social distancing and cleanliness as we continue to fight the battle against COVID-19.

You can always find more UA Cossatot information on Facebook (ED88 and UAC) and on our CCCUA.EDU website.

Thank You,

Dr. Steve Cole
Chancellor, UA Cossatot

Dear Student,

All correspondence from the Office of Financial Aid will be sent to your UAC email account and the email account you provided on your FAFSA application.  If you receive a Document Tracking Letter (DTL) from our office, please read the letter carefully, follow the link provided in the letter to locate the forms you will need to complete.

All forms will be accepted by mail, email or fax at this time.  If you are returning documents that list social security numbers, please mark out all numbers but the last four numbers (XXX-XX-1234). If you have received a DTL letter from us for the 2019-2020 academic year, please return requested documents as soon as possible.

We encourage all of you that have applied for the upcoming academic year (20-21) to promptly return requested documents also.

The address is:

University of Arkansas Cossatot
Financial Aid
183 College Drive
De Queen, AR  71832

Fax: 870-642-8766
Email:  FinancialAid@cccua.edu

Sincerely,

Denise Hammond
Director of Financial Aid
870-584-1118
Fax:  870-642-8766
dhammond@cccua.edu

Effective at 3:00 PM on Thursday, March 19^th all UA Cossatot campuses will be closed at least until March 30^th.

We take the COVID-19 outbreak very seriously and to protect our students, employees, and our stakeholders, we feel it is in everyone’s best interest to shutter our campuses.

Our students have already been moved to our online learning platforms and we will keep that in place for the foreseeable future.

Our employees will be working from home during this time and we will continue to encourage them (and our students) to practice social distancing and proper hygiene in their personal lives.

We know that we are all in this together and will beat this epidemic together. We all have to make well informed and sensible decisions that may not be popular, but they are for the good of us all.

Even though next week is spring break, we will still be closely monitoring the COVID-19 outbreak. If we must extend the campus closings beyond March 30^th, we will make that determination later next week.

In the meantime, we are still teaching and working, we are now just doing it from a distance.

Please be safe and God Bless.

Regards,

Dr. Steve Cole
Chancellor, UA Cossatot

A Message to UA Cossatot Students!

I wanted to personally let each and every student who attends UA Cossatot know that everything we are doing during this crisis is to make sure you stay safe and still receive the education you expect to get from UA Cossatot. Currently we have moved all of our courses online and we will keep offering them online as long as we need to in order to keep you as safe as we can from COVID-19 exposure. During this trying time, please reach out to us for ANY help you need. I also wanted to remind students that we can’t beat the COVID-19 outbreak without your help. Please take this virus very seriously and please practice good hand-washing habits and PLEASE refrain from meeting closely in large groups. This virus spreads mainly by close human contact and if we can eliminate that behavior, at least for a while, we can limit the spread of this virus.

What you do and how you respond personally to this epidemic will define your entire generation!

Please be safe, call or email me any time, and GO COLTS!

Chancellor Cole

Hello UA Cossatot Students!

As we continue to combat the COVID-19 outbreak, I wanted to send you all a message to let you know that we are here for you. While we had to take the unprecedented steps of closing our campuses and teaching all of our courses online, I understand there is some anxiety out there. UA Cossatot is a family and you are all part of it. We will all get through this together and I wanted to let you know that should you have ANY questions or concerns about COVID-19 or want to see what our Academic Response Plan looks like for the future, please follow this link: https://www.cccua.edu/novel-coronavirus. If you need help with learning how to navigate Blackboard, please contact any Student Services member. 

If you need help with the content of your course, please email your instructor.If you need help with Blackboard please email Laura Riddle at lriddle@cccua.edu.  If you need help with tutoring please email Relinda Ruth at rruth@cccua.edu. If you need documented accommodations please email Suzanne Ward at sward@cccua.edu or Rachel Barfield at rhickey@cccua.edu.

Learning online can be challenging for some, and around the country this is what education will look like for quite some time to come. I just wanted to let you know that we are in our offices, ready to help you any way we can.

If you need to contact me personally, please feel welcome by emailing: scole@cccua.edu. I will respond promptly and as Chancellor of UA Cossatot will help you any way I can.

Chancellor Cole

In the UA Cossatot update that was sent on March 12^th, we indicated that the Coronovirus situation was extremely fluid and could change at a moment’s notice. That moment is now as earlier today Governor Hutchinson and Education Secretary Key announced that all K12 schools will be closed this week. Our institution has a wonderfully close working relationship with all of our K12 districts and we share many of the same students. With that being said, UA Cossatot will follow suit and will close our campuses to students this week. We will continue to be closed to students until after spring break, where, at that time, we will reevaluate the Coronavirus situation. Our campuses will also be locked and closed to visitors and outside entities.

All UA Cossatot employees will be working on Monday. We will assess that situation on a day-to-day basis.

All UA Cossatot courses have been converted to have an online component and faculty will have the ability to teach this week via the Blackboard Learning System. While our maintenance department has already been working overtime to keep our campuses clean, over the next two weeks we will have the opportunity to deep clean our campuses as per CDC guidelines.

Please know that our campus will continue to work closely with the University of Arkansas System Office, UAMS, and other government entities to ensure our pandemic plan regarding COVID-19 continues to protect our students, employees, and other stakeholders.

UA Cossatot will continue to update our status on our cccua.edu website, our ED88 Facebook page, and other media outlets. These are very different times that call for very different measures and we appreciate our community’s understanding of this necessary decision.

Regards,

Dr. Steve Cole
Chancellor, UA Cossatot

Hello UA Cossatot Students!

The safety of our students is our number one concern at UA Cossatot, and the coronavirus pandemic has made this more important than ever. We want our students to learn and we want them to have a safe environment in which to learn. That is why effective IMMEDIATELY all UA Cossatot campuses will be closed to students that take on-campus courses. All UA Cossatot campuses will be locked to outside individuals as well. This mirrors today’s announcement by Arkansas Governor Asa Hutchinson that all K12 schools will be closed at least through spring break.

Students, your education is important to us, that is why we have also created an online component to every in-class course at UA Cossatot. While you are away from campus, your instructors will still be able to work with you to ensure you get the most out of your education during these very trying times. You will be learning even more about that this week.

This campus closure is for ALL campuses and will be reevaluated after spring break. At that time, we will determine whether we need to keep the campuses closed or reopen them at that time. I urge you all to visit our website to learn more about the coronavirus and ways you can protect yourself. Please wash your hands often and practice social distancing if you can.

Thank you for your time. We appreciate you!

Dr. Steve Cole
Chancellor

UA Cossatot is working closely with the University of Arkansas System Office, UAMS, and other entities to ensure our pandemic plan regarding COVID-19 protects our students, employees, and other stakeholders. Our team has met non-stop for the past several weeks to enact measures to address the COVID-19 outbreak. These measures include sharing more information campus-wide regarding prevention, altered course scheduling, restricted campus usage, and campus closures, should that need arise.

We have communicated this link on our UA Cossatot webpage to all students and employees:

https://www.cccua.edu/novel-coronavirus

This link includes useful information regarding what UA Cossatot is doing locally and it offers students and employees health and safety information about COVID-19.

More specifically, all UA Cossatot campuses are prepared for the event of closure as we have already:

1. Created online versions of all non-technical courses offered at UA Cossatot. We are currently working on all technical courses to ensure students can maintain learning, even while being away from campus.
2. Initiated a policy where, until further notice, we will not be allowing the use of our facilities by outside groups.
3. Directed our Medical Division to cancel clinical rotations at local health care facilities and teach Medical Department lecture courses via Zoom software.
4. Developed an IT plan that allows personnel VPN access to their workstations. This will allow UA Cossatot to operate from a business standpoint while not being on campus.
5. Cancelled the second annual UA Cossatot Scholarship Pageant that was to be held on March 28^th. We do not have a reschedule date.
6. Encouraged UA Cossatot employees to limit non-essential business travel.

While no members of the UA Cossatot community have been diagnosed with COVID-19, UA Cossatot is preparing for the potential of local transmission and we are aligning our efforts with local leaders, The UA System, UAMS, and the Arkansas Department of Health.

These are just a few of the preparations we have made to keep our students and campus community updated and better protected from the COVID-19 outbreak.

Campus leaders are meeting daily to assess this very fluid situation. We will continue to monitor and adjust our efforts, keeping student, public and, employee safety in mind.

Regards,

Dr. Steve Cole
Chancellor, UA Cossatot

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has the following recommendations to help prevent the spread of respiratory viruses, including: 

• Avoid contact with sick people. 
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose, or mouth with unwashed hands. 
• Clean your hands often by washing them with soap and water for at least 20 seconds or using an alcohol-based hand sanitizer that contains 60%–95% alcohol. (Additional hand sanitizer is being placed in buildings across campus.) Soap and water should be used if hands are visibly dirty. 
• Clean your hands after going to the bathroom; before eating; and after coughing, sneezing, or blowing your nose.
• Stay home when you are sick.
• Cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue, then throw the tissue in the trash.
• Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces.
• Get a flu vaccine.

I'm expecting visitors from out of town or overseas to attend a campus event. Should I be concerned?

If your guests are visiting from a country with a CDC Coronavirus level of 2 or higher, your guest may be required to self-isolate for 14 days, per the Arkansas Department of Health. It would be advisable to discourage such visits.

What is the campus doing to disinfect public areas like classrooms and restrooms?

The disinfecting of common/public areas and surfaces is part of the UA Cossatot’s regular routine throughout campus, including: housing, vehicles, facilities management and much more.

Specifically, classrooms and bathrooms are disinfected nightly, while our facilities management staff disinfects high traffic touchpoints daily - including door handles and push plates, student desktop surfaces and classroom teaching surfaces.

Routine cleaning of frequently touched surfaces followed by disinfection with an EPA-registered disinfectant is a best practice measure for prevention of viral respiratory illnesses.

Is the college preparing contingency plans?

UA Cossatot’s leadership is coordinating activities designed to support our community's health and well-being. We are strategically developing contingency plans to limit the impact to college operations should the need arise.

While these plans may not be required, these efforts are being made to assess the college’s readiness to conduct online classes and other efforts related to minimize the impact to student learning while ensuring students and employees, who may become ill, can be properly supported as they recover and limit the spread of the virus on campus.

Is it safe to travel in the U.S.?

Please exercise caution and check for the latest information available for your specific destination as the Coronavirus situation in the U.S. is changing rapidly.

While the CDC does not recommend canceling or postponing travel to destinations with level 1 travel notices (this currently includes domestic travel in the U.S.) because the risk of transmission is considered low, some areas are reporting increasing levels local transmission. 

What should I consider when planning personal travel?

Consider method of transportation for all travel. Air travel, for example, tends to be crowded with people in close proximity in the plane and the airport. Traveling in a personal vehicle to a destination, would limit exposure to crowds.

International Travel

We strongly discourage personal international travel, especially to countries with a CDC risk level for Coronavirus of 2 or higher. Please consider the health risk and logistical challenges that may be encountered including that the Arkansas Department of Health may require self-isolation for 14 days after traveling to or through an affected area. Customs agents are reporting international travelers arriving from affected countries to state departments of health for this purpose.

Domestic Travel

Please exercise caution and check for the latest information available for your specific destination as the coronavirus situation in the U.S. is changing rapidly. While the CDC does not recommend canceling or postponing travel to destinations with level 1 travel notices (this currently includes domestic travel in the U.S.) because the risk of transmission is considered low, some areas are reporting increasing levels of local transmission.