Travel Restrictions Extended

November 3, 2020

From Dean Claudia Mora:

All,

We are all finding out about the extended travel restrictions. No one hates travel restrictions more than geoscientists, but there does appear to be a path to request an exemption for both domestic and international travel. In both cases, the paperwork you submit will require justification of the travel and some extra time and planning. But, it seems possible under certain circumstances (we haven’t had enough international travel approved to understand the boundaries yet).

From the TX Global web site:

The prohibition on university-sanctioned domestic travel for business or study is extended through May 31, 2021. Decisions about the policy after May 31, 2021 will be announced on or before March 12, 2021. Exemptions for domestic travel can be made by the dean using the exemptions form and instructions posted to our website.

https://www.jsg.utexas.edu/2020/05/20/update-on-ut-travel-restrictions/

This process has worked well to date, and we have been able to support field work and course field trips under specific conditions.

The prohibition on university-sanctioned international travel for business or study has been extended through August 31, 2021. Decisions about the policy after August 31, 2021 will be announced on or before May 15, 2021.

Exceptions for international travel can be requested from Texas Global.   Faculty/staff/students (whether paid by UT or external sources) seeking to travel must petition for international travel through the university’s Restricted Regions process and submit a supplemental COVID-19 travel waiver. Approved travelers will need to follow all quarantine requirements in the destination country and upon return to the U.S., Austin, and the UT campus.

Per a faculty member who has recently gone through this process: The current international travel process seems similar to the past procedure for travel to “Restricted Regions”, where an application with many travel details is required in advance regarding risk mitigation, daily itineraries, emergency contacts, contingencies, etc.

Thus, students/faculty/researchers must submit the following to Texas Global and International Oversight Committee (IOC)

• Restricted Regions documents / justification, signed by travelers, DGS Chair, JSG Dean.
• COVID waivers, signed by travelers.
• Established RTAs (RTA requests submitted, not sure if final RTA numbers and VE5 document IDs are required).

See these sites for further information:

https://global.utexas.edu/risk/travel/restricted-regions/list

https://global.utexas.edu/risk/travel/restricted-regions/request/faculty-staff

https://global.utexas.edu/risk/travel/restricted-regions/request/student

Visitors/researchers/scholars wishing to travel to campus from abroad will need to seek approval from the corresponding college/school’s Dean or Vice President. All visitors will be subject to the same quarantine provisions (see below) as UT Austin approved travelers returning from abroad.

All international visiting delegations coordinated by Texas Global are suspended through August 31, 2021.

Guidance Upon Return from Abroad

Returning travelers should follow the CDC guidance.  For 14 days, upon your return:

• Practice social distancing. If you go outside, stay away from crowded places, avoid group gatherings, and maintain distance (~6 feet) from others.
• Wear a mask that covers your mouth and nose when outside your home.
• Monitor your health. You can learn more about what do if you become sick after traveling here.
• Wash your hands often or use hand sanitizer.