Dear faculty, staff, students and residents:
UT Health San Antonio is extending the suspension of university-related travel, both domestic and international, for all faculty, staff and students through July 1, 2021. This extension applies to employees and trainees that have received the COVID-19 vaccine.
For the foreseeable future, the coronavirus pandemic will continue to affect the safety and feasibility of travel. Much uncertainty remains concerning this highly communicable virus and the rate by which the vaccine can be administered nationally and worldwide. In addition to lowering transmission on campus, we also seek to slow the global spread of the COVID-19 virus.
Prohibition of domestic and international business travel will remain in effect through July 1, 2021. The travel moratorium will continue to be reexamined to determine when the public health risk warrants the easing of such restrictions.
No new business-related travel requests will be considered until after July 1, 2021. Rare exceptions may be granted for reasons that are of a mission-critical or life-saving nature. In these cases, the proposed travel must be approved in advance by the traveler’s dean or vice president, as well as by the chief operating officer.
We strongly discourage personal travel, both international and domestic. If you choose to travel for personal reasons, please be advised of international travel restrictions ordered by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) effective Jan. 26, 2021:
- Every passenger must show proof of a negative COVID-19 test before they can board a plane from a foreign country destined to arrive in the United States.
- The COVID-19 test must be taken within 3 days of the initial flight and must be a viral test (PCR/NAAT or antigen) performed by a lab or health care professional.
The CDC further advises individuals:
- Get tested 3-5 days after travel.
- Stay home for 7 days after travel (10 days if not tested after travel).
- Quarantine, monitor and get tested if you had a known exposure while traveling.
- The CDC also recommends that you get fully vaccinated before travel if you are eligible for the COVID-19 vaccine, and to wait 2 weeks after getting your second vaccine dose to travel.
Additional restrictions imposed by foreign countries, such as requiring a negative COVID-19 test and that travelers quarantine for up to 14 days upon entry into their country, may further hinder travel plans and adversely impact work commitments. Similar restrictions may be in place when traveling domestically to other states.
Your understanding of these uncertain conditions is greatly appreciated.
Ginny Gomez-Leon, MBA, CPA
Vice President and Chief Financial Officer