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January 31, 2020: Temporary Restriction on Entering the U.S. after Travel from China

On January 31, 2020, the federal Health and Human Services declared a public health emergency as a result of confirmed cases of 2019 novel coronavirus in the United States. 

Under a presidential proclamation, the following restrictions will apply to individuals who have recently traveled to China and wish to enter the United States beginning at 5 p.m. (EST) on Sunday, February 2, 2020:

  • Foreign nationals – other than immediate family of U.S. citizens and permanent residents – who have traveled to China (excluding the Special Autonomous Regions of Hong Kong and Macau) within the last 14 days will be denied entry into the United States. The presidential proclamation describes who may qualify as an immediate family member of a U.S. citizen or permanent resident.
  • Any U.S. citizen returning to the United States who has been in Hubei Province of China in the previous 14 days will be subject to up to 14 days of mandatory quarantine.
  • Any U.S. citizen returning to the United States who has been in the rest of mainland China within the previous 14 days will be subject to health screening when seeking to enter the United States and up to 14 days of monitored self-quarantine.

Therefore, if you are a foreign national (not a U.S. citizen or U.S. permanent resident) and you depart the United States and travel to China, you will not be able to return to the United States unless you meet the definition of an immediate family member of a U.S. citizen or a permanent resident. This temporary entry restriction will begin at 5 p.m. on Sunday, February 2, 2020 and remain in effect until the president terminates it.

International Student and Scholar Services (ISSS)

We want you to feel supported, safe, and comfortable during your time at CU Boulder and in the United States. Please know that if you need to talk or have any questions, our doors, ears and hearts are always open. The ISSS office is located in the Center for Community, Room S355 (third floor). We offer drop-in advising hours Monday through Friday between 10 a.m. and 3 p.m. except for Wednesdays when we offer drop-in advising between 12:30 p.m. and 3 p.m. You can also email us anytime.

ISSS wants you to know you can always talk to us or use the other resources on campus.

Here are some resources we recommend:

We are glad that you have chosen to be a part of the CU Boulder community. We are here to support you so please reach out to us if you need anything.