UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. – With new or updated travel restrictions and requirements being instituted in various countries due to the identification and spread of the coronavirus omicron variant, Penn State leaders encourage the community to continue taking health and safety precautions over the winter break as outlined by both the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the U.S. Department of State.
Due to the omicron variant, the White House announced today (Dec. 2) revisions to the COVID-19 testing requirements for international air travel to the United States. Beginning next week, all in-bound international passengers, regardless of nationality of vaccination status, must have a negative COVID-19 test result within 24 hours of their departure for the U.S. Additionally, the Biden administration extended its mask requirement on all domestic flights and public transportation through March 18.
The U.S. government has also imposed travel restrictions for non-U.S. citizens and permanent residents from eight southern African countries, including Botswana, Eswatini, Lesotho, Malawi, Mozambique, Namibia, South Africa and Zimbabwe. Similarly, other countries have closed their borders to arrivals from this region or, in some cases, borders have been closed to all foreign travelers. More information on destination-specific guidance is available online via the CDC. The Department of State also provides the status of any country using a fill-in search function, in addition to the most current guidance on requirements for travelers.
Travelers, whether traveling for University purposes or personal reasons, should prepare for the possibility of disrupted travel plans. Impacts could include an expansion of travel restrictions to more areas or a tightening of existing restrictions, testing or vaccination requirements, mandatory quarantines and other measures, along with potential challenges for returning to the U.S. in the coming weeks.
Employees and students planning University-affiliated international travel must follow the University’s international travel guidance and request travel via the Travel Safety Network at least 30 days in advance. All individuals planning personal international travel should exercise extreme caution.
All travelers should monitor federal updates on travel restrictions in their planned destination as noted above, as well as communications from their airline. Changing conditions in the coming days and weeks could lead to revised guidance from Penn State on University-affiliated travel. The University monitors the global situation closely and will share information with the community as guidance evolves.
At this time (Dec. 2), U.S. airlines are observing the global situation but have not adjusted flight schedules. Travel restrictions may present challenges to individuals traveling abroad during the holiday season, including preventing or delaying an individual’s return to the United States. The possibility exists that some people may find it necessary to remain abroad due to travel restrictions or limited airline flights.
Employees are expected to return to the U.S. by their approved return date and extended periods of work outside the U.S. by faculty members, postdoctoral fellows and staff, are not permitted. While minor travel delays can be accommodated, those unable to return will not be permitted to continue to work remotely while abroad and will be placed on unpaid leave until they return to the U.S. More information on remote work outside of the U.S. is available via the Office of the Vice Provost for Faculty Affairs (VPFA). Employees covered by a collective bargaining agreement should check their agreement to determine what rules apply to them.
All travelers are advised to be fully vaccinated before the date of their departure to minimize the spread of COVID-19. Additionally, on Nov. 11, the University shared that all University employees are now subject to federal vaccination requirements. Travelers should research any vaccination requirements of their destination before departure.
Individuals are also advised to travel with their vaccination card to enter public spaces in other countries, such as museums or restaurants, or to get a card document from local authorities that you will then be required to show in order to enter public spaces. Travelers are advised to also keep a copy of their vaccination card on their mobile phone, alongside their passport.
Information on potential travel restrictions and the status of the omicron variant will be shared with the community as it becomes available via Penn State News. More information on the University’s COVID-19 response is available via Virus Info.