Given the current outbreak of novel coronavirus epidemic, the Confucius Institute Headquarters (hereinafter referred to as the Headquarters) mandates the following prevention and control measures for the Chinese deans, teachers and volunteers dispatched to Confucius Institutes, universities, primary and secondary schools in foreign countries.  

I. Those who plan to go abroad to work or return to work in a foreign country, or those who plan to come back home for annual vacations or depart from their post before March 1, 2020 should, in principle, postpone their trip abroad or return home. If their term of service is prolonged by the postponement, the prolonged term of service will be calculated as normal, and their wages and allowances will be retained in accordance with relevant regulations. If they need to change their visa, change or cancel their flight tickets, and extend their overseas housing rental due to the postponement, they shall notify the office in charge of the Headquarters for concurrence. If they need to have the extra expenses incurred reimbursed, they shall keep the relevant bills. 

II. If their trip abroad or back home cannot be postponed due to visa restrictions or the insistence of foreign parties, an application shall be sent to both the domestic dispatching unit and the Headquarters, together with a letter of opinion from the concerned foreign institution. The application will be handled on a case-by-case basis as per relevant regulations. Only with approval can the applicant go abroad or return home according to their original plan.  

III. All personnel dispatched abroad shall notify in time the foreign institutions, domestic dispatching units and Headquarters upon arrival, and self-isolate in accordance with the requirements of the host countries and foreign institutions. After returning home, the personnel dispatched abroad shall notify the domestic dispatching units and Headquarters, postpone their trip to Beijing to go through the required formalities during the outbreak of coronavirus epidemic, reduce their outdoor activities and self-isolate in accordance with the requirements of the epidemic prevention departments of local governments and their affiliated units. 

IV. The spouses and family members of the personnel dispatched abroad who go abroad together with the dispatched personnel or pay visits to the latter or return home shall follow the same measures mandated for the personnel dispatched abroad. 

V. The Headquarters will notify the concerned personnel in advance as per the development of the coronavirus epidemic whether the postponement of their overseas dispatchment, or their return to their overseas posts or their departure from their posts will continue after March 1, 2020.  

VI. The Headquarters will suspend the organization of screening examinations and trainings for personnel to be dispatched abroad. 

VII. Personnel dispatched abroad are kindly requested to follow epidemic situation updates and prevention and control guidance through official channels, pay attention to daily protection, and cooperate with relevant domestic and foreign departments on the implementation of the measures taken to prevent and control the epidemic. Let’s unit as one and go all out to overcome the hard times! 

Confucius Institute Headquarters