Guidance on University-Related Travel Updated for Unvaccinated Employees, Students
Senior Vice President and Provost Jennifer King Rice and Vice President for Administration and Finance Carlo Colella sent the following email to the campus community:
We are updating the travel guidance communicated in May based on current guidance from the federal government Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). The university also follows guidance from the U.S. Department of State and the state of Maryland regarding travel during the global coronavirus pandemic.
The CDC says that people who are fully vaccinated can travel safely within the United States. The CDC also says that if you are not fully vaccinated, you should delay all non-essential travel and take precautions if you must travel.
Updated guidance for travel is summarized below. University-related travel is travel for educational, research or business purposes tied to the traveler's affiliation with the university, regardless of funding source. Student travel guidelines have also been issued for student organizations approved to travel using university funds, as well as class-sponsored trips and student groups traveling for university-sponsored or university-affiliated events.
University-Related Domestic Travel (within the United States)
Given the nationwide prevalence of the delta variant and recent CDC guidance, we are modifying the instructions on university-related domestic travel as follows:
- Travel related to a regular commute is permitted.
- There are no restrictions for travel in the state of Maryland or the Greater Washington metropolitan area.
- For travel to all other areas of the United States:
- If you are fully vaccinated, you may conduct essential and non-essential domestic travel.
- If you are not fully vaccinated and you are compliant with the university's COVID requirements, you may conduct essential travel only.
- Deans and vice presidents have the authority to determine what travel is considered essential.
- The CDC recommends that you:
- Get tested one to three days prior to travel
- Get tested three to five days after travel
- Quarantine for a full seven days after travel
- If you are not in compliance with the university's COVID requirements, you will not be authorized for travel.
University-Related International Travel (outside the United States)
No changes are being made to international travel restrictions at this time; the CDC says that "international travel poses additional risks and even fully vaccinated travelers are at increased risk for getting and possibly spreading new COVID-19 variants."
- You must request an exception from the appropriate dean or vice president to be authorized for international travel or to be reimbursed for international travel using university-controlled funds.
All Travelers
Use caution and judgment when considering any travel and:
- Follow all CDC public health guidance
- Abide by any requirements established by the host institution and local health agencies (e.g., city, county or country)
- If you have a weakened immune system, we strongly encourage you to consult a physician for approval prior to travel.
Thank you for following these guidelines.
Sincerely,
Jennifer King Rice
Senior Vice President and Provost
She/Her/Hers
Carlo Colella
Vice President for Administration and Finance
He/Him/His
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