NOTE: This was guidance sent out in June for the University community. For the latest travel guidelines, visit the University’s travel page.
Updates were announced on June 11 regarding University-related and personal travel for employees, and changes were announced on June 25 related to a new NYS domestic travel advisory.
Domestic travel restrictions
The University is updating its existing travel guidance to align with the recent travel advisory issued by New York State Governor Andrew Cuomo that requires a 14-day quarantine upon entering or re-entering New York state from specific states.
Effective immediately and for as long as the New York state travel advisory is in place, all students, faculty and staff traveling to campus specifically from the affected states—defined as those with a significant current community spread of COVID-19—are required to self-quarantine for two weeks. The governor’s advisory allows health care workers to continue working during the quarantine; all Medical Center faculty and staff involved in patient care are encouraged to review this guidance.
This list of states may change; travelers are asked to check the most up-to-date information immediately before travel. The advisory does not apply to simply passing through a state for less than 24 hours.
With regard to employee travel—both University-related and personal travel—travelers need to confirm with their manager or department head the ability to work from home during this required quarantine. If not able to work from home, the time will generally be paid quarantine leave, but may also be unpaid leave if the travel is a voluntary vacation. All of this new guidance requires advance communication between an employee and manager to pre-determine the plan for returning; if an employee is currently in one of the listed hot-spot states, they should be in touch with their manager or department head immediately.
Essential employees are able to report to work. They do however need to adhere to stay-at-home quarantine procedures when not at work, and additionally need to take a COVID-19 test within 24 hours of returning. The University generally considers essential staff as those who work in areas including health care, public safety, facilities, dining services, residential life, and in some research facilities who were approved to restart. If you believe you are an essential employee and are traveling to and from one of the affected states, speak with your manager or department head about your obligations. HR Business Partners are also available to assist.
Students who are currently residing on campus this summer and who travel to and from these states should check with Residential Life about their self-quarantine options; students living off-campus should self-quarantine in their residence. More information will be forthcoming for Fall 2020 arriving and returning students if this travel advisory is still in effect for several weeks.
The list of states included in the governor’s advisory is based on the high incidence of COVID-19 transmission. Therefore, the University advises all faculty and staff to consider carefully the potential health risks associated with their travel, in addition to the time required to quarantine post-travel before undertaking travel outside of the state.
University-related travel
University-related travel that requires University funding in part or whole continues to be restricted. This decision is a measure of fiscal responsibility during the University’s restart and recovery process and aligns with ongoing illness prevention efforts.
University-related domestic travel that is funded by an outside institution, agency, or organization can resume. However, travel to some states will require a 14-day quarantine upon entering or re-entering New York state. Non-essential employees need to confirm with their manager or department head the ability to work from home during this required quarantine.
For University-related international travel that is externally funded, pre-approval must come from the employee’s Cabinet-level officer, and the traveler needs to consult with the director of global travel risk management to assess potential travel interruptions or border issues.
Personal travel
The CDC continues to discourage all non-essential international travel. Individuals who do travel internationally should remain at home for 14 days and monitor their health upon their return, per CDC guidelines. Because of this stay-at-home guidance, international travelers should work with their supervisor to predetermine if they can work from home during these 14 days, or if additional vacation time will need to be taken.
Personal domestic travel to some states will require a 14-day quarantine upon entering or re-entering New York state. Non-essential employees need to confirm with their manager or department head the ability to work from home during this required quarantine.