各位身处境外的老师：

你们好！一场突如其来、来势汹汹的新冠肺炎疫情，让中国陷入困顿、让全球为之屏息。你们虽身处境外，但仍心系苏大、心系中国，以各自特有的方式支持我们做好疫情防控工作。值此特殊时期，谨向你们致以最诚挚的问候！

当前，中国疫情防控形势持续积极向好、生产生活秩序加快恢复的态势不断巩固，但全球疫情防控形势依然不容乐观，部分国家和地区呈现出疫情蔓延态势，世界卫生组织已将新冠肺炎疫情全球风险等级提至最高级别“非常高”。此时此刻，身处天南地北的你们，也牵动着学校的心。面对疫情，希望各位老师要密切关注当地卫生部门的最新疫情通报，严格遵守专业防疫指导，借鉴已有成功经验做好自身防护；要按照当地政府的建议和要求尽量减少出行，尤其要避免前往人员密集的公共场所；密切关注自身的身心状况，如有任何发热、咳嗽、感冒和心理不适等症状，请及时联系指定医疗机构并告知实情；也请大家时刻关注中国驻当地大使馆发布的最新通知，了解防疫信息，如遇任何困难，请及时与使馆和学校联系，学校将尽全力提供帮助。

鉴于当前全球新冠肺炎疫情正处于高发阶段，乘坐国际航班存在较大的交叉感染风险，医学专家建议大家最好选择原地待命，请勿冒险提前返校。学校正研究制定师生返校方案，待上级主管部门审批后将第一时间告知大家，请各位老师及时关注学校官网和官微。回程前，请大家先与学院联系做好报备手续；对于因公在境外的老师，如因疫情需提前或延期返校，也请及时向学院履行审批手续。国际航班长途漫漫，归国返程途中，请大家做好个人防护，主动接受安全检查,配合做好隔离防护工作。

 惟有相思似春色，东吴好景盼君归。无论各位老师现在身处何方，学校永远是你们最坚强的后盾。疫情尚未绝迹，我们仍需努力；待到春花烂漫，苏大再相聚！

2020年3月23日

Warm Greetings to Colleagues Overseas

March 23, 2020

Dear colleagues overseas:

I trust this letter finds you well!

Since its outbreak last winter, COVID-19 has remained a common concern of the nation as well as the whole world. And you, our colleagues overseas, though being abroad, have contributed in various ways to the battle of epidemic prevention and control for Soochow University and China. At this stressful time, we hereby extend to you our warmest greetings.

After taking a series of effective measures, the spread of the coronavirus has been basically curbed in China. And we've made sustained progress in epidemic prevention and control, which provides strong support for the economy getting back to normal. However, considering the serious epidemic across the world, the World Health Organization has declared coronavirus COVID-19 a pandemic. No matter where you are, your safety and health are always in our thoughts. To this end, we highly suggest you:

Update yourself on the release from the local health authorities, strictly follow the professional instructions on coronavirus prevention;

Follow the local government’s suggestions/rules, minimize your outdoor activities and avoid crowded public places if possible;

Monitor your physical and mental condition, and if symptoms such as fever, cough, cold and psychological discomfort arise, please contact the designated healthcare delivery facilities/organizations in time and tell them the truth;

Keep informed of the latest information about coronavirus prevention issued by the local Chinese embassy/consulate. If you encounter any difficulty, please contact the embassy/consulate and SUDA in time. We will spare no effort to come to your assistance.

Considering the increasing severity of the epidemic, it is quite risky to take international flights. Medical experts suggest that it would be a wiser option to stay where you are and not to return to the University in advance. The back-to-school plan is currently under discussion and will be released on the university official website after it gets official approval from the higher authorities. Once you receive our announcement to return to the university, please contact the staff at your school to go through the reporting procedures in advance. Colleagues who are abroad for business trips, if you need to reschedule your return out of safety concerns, please also process the approval procedures in time. On your way back to the university, do take personal protective measures in place during your possibly tiring international flights. Be cooperative during security inspection and follow the quarantine regulations after landing.

Like the vernal splendor, our longing for your safe return keeps growing with each and every day passing by. We will stand firm behind you, wherever, whatever, however! Each and every one of us will help to define our battle against the virus.

We, the entire SUDA community and the blossoms on campus as well, are right here waiting for you, rain or shine! We are all expecting the day when we can join each other on campus, and we surely will.

 

Jiang Yong

Chairman of the University Council, Soochow University

 

Xiong Sidong

President, Soochow University