Updated travel guidance for faculty and staff
The following message was sent on behalf of Provost Rogan Kersh and Executive Vice President Hof Milam on March 13:
Updated Travel Guidance
Non-essential University Travel Canceled effectively immediately
In response to The Centers for Disease Control (CDC)’s revision to travel health notice system on Thursday March 12, 2020, regarding the spread of COVID-19, Wake Forest is prohibiting all non-essential university-sponsored Faculty and Staff travel for both domestic and international travel until further notice. (Essential travel is limited to travel critical to the operations of the University.) Additionally, faculty and staff participation in job-related gatherings, on campus or elsewhere (e.g. conferences or meetings), larger than 50 people is prohibited. These travel restrictions will remain in place at least through June 30th.
These restrictions will not apply to University-sponsored travel required to return to campus by community members who are currently studying or working remotely.
Faculty and staff may request an exception by contacting their Dean or Vice President.
Reporting of University and Personal Travel
This is a reminder that all faculty or staff returning from countries with Level 3 travel health notices or from a cruise should not return to campus without first completing a 14-day self-isolation period without developing symptoms of COVID-19. CDC instructions for self-isolation and symptom monitoring can be found here.
Faculty and staff are being asked to:
- Review both CDC Level 3 locations (international map) and states in the United States (U.S. map) with widespread (50 cases and above) COVID-19 presence.
- If you have traveled to any of these locations or have been on a cruise in the last 14 days, please complete the Travel Reporting Form so that the university can provide guidance regarding appropriate health care and other decisions.
In addition, if you traveled to a Level 2 location CDC guidelines recommend you closely monitor your symptoms and exercise social distancing for 14 days.
It is crucial that all faculty and staff comply with these guidelines for the safety of all our community.
Personal Travel
Prohibited travel does not include personal activity, but we urge you to seriously reconsider any plans for long-distance travel and visits to areas that have been significantly impacted by COVID-19. Faculty and staff should carefully consider whether or not any travel is advisable in light of the possibility for quarantine upon return and/or unforeseen travel restrictions in the United States or abroad.
Other Cancellation Considerations
Information about issues such as airline waivers, refundable and non-refundable tickets, visitor reimbursements, and booking future flights will be posted as available at https://finance.wfu.edu/policies-procedures/ under “Travel.”
We are monitoring the situation closely and will reassess policies as needed in the coming days.
Regards,
Rogan Kersh
Provost
Hof Milam
Executive Vice President