May 21, 2020

Dear Colleagues:

While Maryland and other states are beginning to slowly reopen, the need to remain vigilant in our fight against COVID-19 and take precautions to keep ourselves and our neighbors safe is as important as ever.

As employers and health care providers, we have a responsibility to keep our workforce, students, and patients safe. These precautions aren't just about protecting any one individual, but the entire University of Maryland, Baltimore (UMB) and University of Maryland Medical System (UMMS) community.

Please see below a list of restrictions and recommendations under our current travel guidance:

• Work-related, out-of-state travel is prohibited, with very limited exceptions.
• For personal, domestic travel, we encourage employees and students to follow current Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) guidance, which recommends only essential travel.
• However, should employees choose to engage in personal travel, we ask that you be safe and keep the following in mind:
  • Be aware of restrictions at your intended destination, as state and local governments may require different measures (i.e., quarantine for 14 days upon arrival)
  • Maintain 6 feet of physical distance from others
  • Wear face masks in indoor public spaces or outdoors when it is difficult to maintain a safe physical distance
  • Perform frequent hand hygiene using soap and water or alcohol-based hand sanitizer
  • Enjoy outdoor activities but take care to avoid crowded gatherings and parks, swimming pools, and beaches
• Upon return from any travel:
  • Do not come to work/campus if you are experiencing any symptoms related to COVID-19
  • Contact the appropriate teams if you believe you may have come in contact with an individual with COVID-19, before returning to work or campus:
    • UMB employees and students: Call the COVID-19 Hotline Medical Team at 800-701-9863
    • UMMS employees: Call your local Employee Health or Infection Prevention teams

Employees and students choosing to travel do so at their own risk. This guidance is subject to change based on future information and as circumstances warrant.

The CDC has a robust set of resources dedicated entirely to traveling during the COVID-19 pandemic. We ask that you continue to refer to this guidance if you are considering travel - even just within the state.

Please be safe, smart, and responsible this holiday weekend - and always.

Sincerely,

Bruce E. Jarrell, MD, FACS
Interim President
University of Maryland, Baltimore

Mohan Suntha, MD, MBA
President and Chief Executive Officer
University of Maryland Medical System