Covid-19 Resource Center

Travel increases your chances of getting and spreading COVID-19. The CDC recommends delaying travel until you are fully vaccinated. Since most people are not yet vaccinated, and infections continue to spread the risk of transmission remains high, and that risk is heightened by the continued prevalence of new strains of the virus. For the foreseeable future, the global pandemic will continue to affect the safety and feasibility of travel.

For personal safety and the safety of others, anyone who chooses to travel should ensure they are in good health and follow important safety protocols in addition to those recommended by the CDC and ADPH.

University Travel

Domestic Travel for University Business

Domestic Travel Guidance

Domestic university travel for university business, such as research visits and conference attendance, is permitted at the discretion of the traveling employee’s supervisor. Domestic student travel for academic purposes is permitted at the discretion of the department chair. Domestic student travel that is not for academic purposes, such as travel by registered student organizations, is permitted at the discretion of the Senior Vice President for Student Affairs.

What to Know Before Domestic Travel

• Make sure you are up to date with your COVID-19 vaccine and/or booster.

• Check your destination’s COVID-19 situation before traveling. State, tribal, local, and territorial governments may have travel restrictions in place.

• On Monday, April 18, a federal judge in Florida struck down the federal mask requirement on airplanes, taxis, trains, buses and other public transportation. The decision includes airports, train stations and other transportation hubs. Because of the ruling, the masking order is no longer in effect and the Transportation Security Administration is no longer enforcing it. At this time, it is uncertain whether the decision will be appealed. The CDC continues to recommend that people wear masks in indoor public transportation settings. Travelers should check with airlines and public transportation options at their destination for any ongoing safety requirements.

• If traveling by air, check if your airline requires any testing, vaccination, or other documents.

• Prepare to be flexible during your trip as restrictions and policies may change during your travel.

After Domestic Travel

After your return from domestic travel, self-monitor for COVID-19 symptoms for 10 days. Isolate and get tested if symptoms develop. You do not need to get tested or self-quarantine if you are fully vaccinated or have recovered from COVID-19 in the past 3 months.

International Travel for University Business

International Travel Guidance

Faculty and staff planning international travel for university business such as research visits and conference attendance, should submit a Request for Authorization to Travel through the normal international travel request process and are subject to additional conditional approval requirements as well as the Travel Policy and the International Travel Warning Policy.

Students in Study Abroad programs as well as international students and scholars should contact the Office of International Programs for additional guidance on international travel as well as requirements after returning from international travel.

What to Know Before International Travel

• Make sure you are up to date with your COVID-19 vaccine and/or booster.

• You should check the COVID-19 situation and travel requirements at your destination before traveling. Countries may have their own entry and exit requirements. Reference the COVID-19 Travel Recommendations by Destination via the CDC website for further information and guidance on travel requirements.

• On June 10, 2022 the CDC announced that it is rescinding the order requiring persons to show a negative COVID-19 test result or documentation of recovery from COVID-19 before boarding a flight to the United States from international travel. Although it is no longer required, the CDC continues to recommend that travelers boarding a flight to the U.S. get tested for current infection with a viral test as close to the time of departure as possible (no more than 3 days) and not travel if they are sick.

• The CDC continues to recommend that people wear masks in indoor public transportation settings. Travelers should check with airlines and public transportation options at their destination for any ongoing safety requirements.

After arrival in the United States from international travel, all travelers are recommended to:

• Get tested with a viral test 3-5 days after arrival.
  • Testing is available from the AU Medical Clinic. Employees should contact their supervisor for further guidance on returning to work. Students should contact their academic unit.
  • More information on testing.
  • If you already had COVID-19 within the past 90 days, see specific testing recommendations.
• Monitor yourself for COVID-19 symptoms.
• Follow university guidance if you know you were exposed to a person with COVID-19.
• Use the COVID-19 Employee Decision Tree or COVID-19 Student Decision Tree for guidance on what to do for exposures or positive tests.
• If you are going to be around someone who is at higher risk of getting very sick with COVID-19, consider additional precautions.

Testing is available from the AU Medical Clinic. Employees should contact their supervisor for further guidance on returning to work. Students should contact their academic unit.

Travel requirements to enter the United States are changing and can be found on the CDC’s International Travel page.

As the COVID-19 pandemic changes over time, and government and public health officials issue new orders and guidance, the university will update procedures and plans as needed.

Personal Travel

Personal Travel Guidance

Personal travel is made at the discretion of the faculty, staff, or student. Faculty, staff, and students who plan personal travel should be aware that they may have isolation or other restrictions imposed by other states or countries that could restrict or delay some aspects of their travel and/or their return to Auburn. We strongly urge you to use extreme caution and judgment for personal travel. Please check the state and territorial health department websites for the latest information regarding domestic travel.

Guidance regarding what do to before and after returning from personal domestic or international travel is the same as the guidance for international. Please see the “University Travel” section above for more details.