Update on Coronavirus (COVID-19) and Spring Break Missions
Contact: Dominique McShan, Office of Spiritual Life & Missions
March 5, 2020 UPDATE: Covid-19 & Missions Travel Update
WACO, Texas (March 5, 2020)- As of March 5, 2020, all Baylor Missions teams are still cleared to travel by Baylor Global Safety and Security and Baylor Missions.
Please know that the health and safety of Baylor University students, faculty, staff and global partners remain our first priority. The University’s established task force is continually assessing the risk factors associated with the global outbreak of coronavirus (COVID-19) and the impact on international travel.
At this time, information gathered from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), U.S. Department of State and our global partners indicate that the risk of infection at our specific trip locations remains low. All destinations are rated by the CDC as Level 1 - Practice Usual Precautions.
Furthermore, all travelers are registered in the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program, which enrolls their trip with the nearest U.S. Embassy. In addition, we remain in close contact with the Embassy in each host country.
Should travel be deemed unsafe at any point, trip participants will be notified via email update prior to and up to the day of departure.
All travelers are covered by Baylor University's International Travel Insurance, and all have access to Worldcue® Mobile App, which provides access to travel intelligence and global response services while traveling abroad. As always, if you ever need travel, medical or security assistance while abroad, please call Baylor University Medical and Travel Security Assistance at +1 (312) 894-0095.
Additionally, each team is accompanied by two or more trained faculty team-leaders, who are prepared to navigate unforeseen circumstances, such as sickness or travel delays. A Baylor representative will remain in-country until all students return.
While we continue to monitor the impact of COVID-19, we understand and respect any participant’s decision to withdraw from a team due to the risks associated with international travel at this time. To withdraw from a team, trip participants may complete the online withdrawal/refund request form shared in e-mail communication to all Spring Break teams.
All May minimester and Summer trip remain scheduled as planned.
We ask that the Baylor family join us in prayer for all of our teams, and those directly impacted by coronavirus across the globe.
Additional information and resources regarding COVID-19 are available online at baylor.edu/coronavirus.
Additional questions and concerns can be directed to missions@baylor.edu.
ABOUT BAYLOR MISSIONS
BU Missions seeks to shape Baylor University's faithful engagement with Waco and the world by creating intentional opportunities to integrate faith, learning, and service within a broad Christian worldview. Learn more about BU Missions at www.baylor.edu/missions.
As part of the Office of Spiritual Life , BU Missions strives to nurture theological depth, spiritual wholeness, and missional living in students, staff, and faculty at Baylor University.
ABOUT BAYLOR UNIVERSITY
Baylor University is a private Christian University and a nationally ranked research institution. The University provides a vibrant campus community for more than 17,000 students by blending interdisciplinary research with an international reputation for educational excellence and a faculty commitment to teaching and scholarship. Chartered in 1845 by the Republic of Texas through the efforts of Baptist pioneers, Baylor is the oldest continually operating University in Texas. Located in Waco, Baylor welcomes students from all 50 states and more than 90 countries to study a broad range of degrees among its 12 nationally recognized academic divisions.
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WACO, Texas (March 3, 2020) – With Spring Break Missions approaching, Baylor Missions continues to monitor the impact of the COVID-19 virus. In coordination with the Baylor Center for Global Engagement, Director for Global Safety and Security, and the Global Preparedness Team, all teams have been deemed safe to travel, based on the current status as of March 2, 2020.
However, after thorough review of team locations and projects by President Livingstone’s Leadership Council, all projects planned for health care settings will be modified to alternative projects.
The health and safety of Baylor University students, faculty, staff and global partners remain our first priority. Therefore, we will continue to monitor updates from our local partners, and guidance from the U.S. Department of State, and Centers for Disease Control.
Should travel be deemed unsafe at any point, trip participants will be notified via email updates prior to, and up to the day of departure.
We ask that the Baylor family join us in prayer for all of our teams, and those directly impacted by coronavirus across the globe.
Additional information and resources regarding COVID-19 are available online at baylor.edu/coronavirus.
Additional questions and concerns can be directed to missions@baylor.edu.
ABOUT BAYLOR MISSIONS
BU Missions seeks to shape Baylor University's faithful engagement with Waco and the world by creating intentional opportunities to integrate faith, learning, and service within a broad Christian worldview. Learn more about BU Missions at www.baylor.edu/missions.
As part of the Office of Spiritual Life , BU Missions strives to nurture theological depth, spiritual wholeness, and missional living in students, staff, and faculty at Baylor University.
ABOUT BAYLOR UNIVERSITY
Baylor University is a private Christian University and a nationally ranked research institution. The University provides a vibrant campus community for more than 17,000 students by blending interdisciplinary research with an international reputation for educational excellence and a faculty commitment to teaching and scholarship. Chartered in 1845 by the Republic of Texas through the efforts of Baptist pioneers, Baylor is the oldest continually operating University in Texas. Located in Waco, Baylor welcomes students from all 50 states and more than 90 countries to study a broad range of degrees among its 12 nationally recognized academic divisions.