Update on UT Travel Restrictions

May 20, 2020

The domestic travel restriction has been extended through June 30, 2020.

• Decision about July travel status will be made by June 15, 2020.
• Limited exemptions are possible for faculty, staff, and graduate students (no undergrads) for domestic business travel. Exemptions require prior approval of a travel exemption form, which is then submitted (contact information below) with a normal travel authorization form. All paperwork must be completed and approved before travel or no reimbursement from any source (university, endowment or grant) will be available.
  • This may enable domestic field work, under certain constraints and circumstances.
  • A JSG travel exemption form must be completed and submitted to exemptions@jsg.utexas.edu. Graduate student forms should be reviewed first by a faculty mentor. Current travel guidelines require one person per vehicle. That may not be possible or ideal for field work where safety requires two people. Self-isolation by both travelers prior to travel may help to resolve this issue.

International travel is still not permitted, except for covid-19 related research, and will be required to follow guidance to request restricted region travel approval. Travelers are also encouraged to contact Global Risk & Safety for assistance.

• UT is following CDC, U.S. State Department and International SOS guidelines for travel planned after July 1, 2020.
• Undergraduate international programs are closed through August 31, 2020.
• The travel guidance does not explicitly address JSG-specific issues such as large, multi-institution seismic cruises which may sail in mid- to late summer per the federal funding agency and ship operators, offshore drilling based experiments, large polar research expeditions, etc. JSG will request those exemptions where sponsors have approved the conditions and urgency.

No visiting delegations to UT Austin through July 1, 2020.

 PERSONAL DOMESTIC TRAVEL

Personal travel is not restricted by UT at this time. Individuals choosing to travel for personal reasons are subject to self-isolation guidelines pursuant to CDC and local health authority guidelines.

If employee personal travel can be conducted without work interruption, regular work time can be charged. If employee personal travel requires self-isolation and prevents remote work, traveler must use personal leave options or accruals.