本来打算期末考试完就回国一趟，不料今天收到学校的邮件--建议国际学生在这段时间最好不要离开美国，因为有可能不能返回美国。 另外不知道这次H1N1会对5月份的签证有什么影响。大家都来讨论讨论。
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Subject: Influenza Pandemic and International Travel
By now, you are aware that the World Health Organization (WHO) has raised the level of the pandemic alert to level 5. There is only one higher level of severity in the pandemic alert cycle. Both level 5 and
6 are at an equal level on the pandemic model used by WHO, although level 6 is the official "pandemic" stage. Level 5 means that a "pandemic is imminent".
You can find more information about these levels and what they mean on the WHO website. That link is at the end of this e-mail with other useful links.
Travel Restrictions to be Aware of:
Currently, while the WHO does not currently advise restriction of regular travel or closure of borders, you should also be aware that the Center for Disease Control (CDC) of the U.S. has recommended that "US travelers avoid all nonessential travel to Mexico." Furthermore, the "Pandemic Influenza Fact Sheet" on the US Department of State website that was created for Avian Influenza states that the "US Government Pandemic Policy for Americans Abroad" is to allow "Americans . . . to re-enter the United States, although the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services/Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (HHS/CDC) may quarantine or isolate incoming travelers, depending on their health status and whether they are traveling from or through an area affected by pandemic influenza."
There is currently no stated information about a policy for the current influenza situation about US citizens or US legal permanent residents or non-US citizens being able to re-enter the US after travel abroad.
Special instructions/information for International Travelers:
If you are planning to travel outside the US in the coming weeks (as many international students do this time of year), be alert to the rapidly changing situation. It is quite likely that there will be many more cases of this influenza. In addition to the information already provided by the CDC that was sent to all students, faculty and staff by Steve K. Harmon, Director of the Office of Public relations, Marketing and Information Services earlier this week, be aware of the following if you choose to travel abroad:
1. Health officials are indicating that in a pandemic, you may need to prepare for a 2-12 week stay in the destination country.
2. Be aware that, as in Mexico, many normal services needed by travelers (hotels, transportation, work, restaurants, etc.) may be closed down or severely limited even if the WHO Pandemic level remains at level 5. Also, note that the US embassy and consular posts in Mexico have closed their visa processing sections as part of their cooperation with the Mexican government's request to close businesses and encourage people to remain in their homes as a way to prevent the opportunities for infections to spread.
3. Many medical services in your destination country may be difficult to access due to the need to respond to the medical crisis that exists or is worsening. You need to have with you all information about your health insurance and any traveler's assistance policies for which you are a member. If you are outside the US on university-related business, AND you are not in your country of nationality, you have access to the International SOS travel assistance program and should obtain information about it prior to travelling. This information is available on the following website:
http://urgent.internationalsos.com/default.aspx
4. Some countries may close their borders to international arrivals or restrict flights to other nations (note that this has already happened with some countries). Check your with your airline to find out the most up to date information. However, this means you may be unable to transit another country on your way home or be unable to visit another country to attend conferences or meetings.
5. It is possible that you could be denied re-entry to the United States following travel abroad if the WHO moves the pandemic level to level 6 and a pandemic is declared. If you are re-admitted, you may be subject to quarantine.
6. Research and follow all instructions of health service officials in the destination country.
Because of all the above, International Student Services advises that you consider carefully your plans for travel outside the United States and, if possible, postpone any non-essential travel.
Excellent websites for information on the global influenza situation include the following:
World Health Organization:
http://www.who.int/csr/disease/swineflu/en/index.html=20
Center for Disease Control: http://www.cdc.gov/swineflu =20 International SOS (one of the better ones in terms of resources, country specific information, traveler's resources, etc.):
http://urgent.internationalsos.com/default.aspx
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我个人的建议是如果拿到签证的兄弟姐妹不要急着来美国，等美国flu情况清楚后再说，毕竟有些学校出现了疫情。
还没拿签证的筒子们尽量早点去拿，避免受后期美国疫情对签证的影响。
以上为个人意见，仅供大家参考。。 | 
