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COVID-19 Travel Policy

This policy will be evaluated regularly and updated when the situation warrants a change. The safety of everyone on the MBKU campus depends on all travelers following these rules.

 

University Sponsored Travel

The University will approve faculty, staff and students attending domestic professional meetings and conferences beginning July 1, 2021.

However, before you commit to attendance, please review the following items to determine your level of risk in attending.

Your vaccination status should weigh in heavily on the decision to participate in a significant way.

RISK FACTORS TO CONSIDER

  • The number of COVID-19 cases within the community: High or increasing levels of local infection could increase the risk of spread among attendees.
  • Potential for exposure during travel: Airports, airplanes, bus stations, buses, train stations, trains and public transport are all places where physical distancing might be challenging and ventilation could be poor.
  • Length of the event: Longer meetings pose greater risk. Being within six feet of someone who has COVID-19 for a total of 15 minutes or more (over a 24-hour period) greatly increases the risk of becoming infected.
  • The setting: Indoor events, especially in places with poor ventilation, pose more risk than outdoor events.
  • Number of people attending: The more people there are at an event, the greater the likelihood for exposure. Planners must also consider crowding, and should implement modified room layouts or block off seats to ensure social distancing.
  • Behavior or attendees: Events where unvaccinated people do not maintain physical distancing and/or do not wear a mask correctly can increase the risk of contagion.

If You Choose to Travel

RECOMMENDATIONS FOR FULLY VACCINATED PEOPLE 

If you are fully vaccinated, take the following steps to protect others when you travel:  

People are considered fully vaccinated*

  • 2 weeks after their second dose in a 2-dose series, such as the Pfizer or Moderna vaccines, or 
  • 2 weeks after a single-dose vaccine, such as Johnson & Johnson’s vaccine 

If you don’t meet these requirements, you are NOT fully vaccinated. Keep taking all precautions until you are fully vaccinated. 

If you have a condition or are taking medication that weakens your immune system, you may NOT be fully protected even if you are fully vaccinated. Talk to your healthcare provider. Even after vaccination, you may need to continue taking all precautions. 

DURING TRAVEL 

Wearing a mask over your nose and mouth is required on planes, buses, trains, and other forms of public transportation traveling into, within, or out of the United States and while indoors at U.S. transportation hubs such as airports and stations. Travelers are not required to wear a mask in outdoor areas of a conveyance (like a ferry or top deck of a bus). 

Follow all state and local recommendations and requirements, including mask wearing and social distancing. 

AFTER TRAVEL 

Self-monitor for COVID-19 symptoms; isolate and get tested if you develop symptoms. 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. You should still follow all other travel recommendations. 

RECOMMENDATIONS FOR UNVACCINATED PEOPLE 

If you are not fully vaccinated and must travel, take the following steps to protect yourself and others from COVID-19: 

BEFORE YOU TRAVEL

  • Get tested with a COVID test 1-3 days before your trip. 
  • While you are traveling: 
  • Wearing a mask over your nose and mouth is required on planes, buses, trains, and other forms of public transportation traveling into, within, or out of the United States and while indoors at U.S. transportation hubs such as airports and stations. Travelers are not required to wear a mask in outdoor areas of a conveyance (like on a ferry or the top deck of a bus). CDC recommends that travelers who are not fully vaccinated continue to wear a mask and maintain physical distance when traveling. 
  • Avoid crowds and stay at least 6 feet/2 meters (about 2 arm lengths) from anyone who is not traveling with you. 
  • Wash your hands often or use hand sanitizer (with at least 60% alcohol). 

AFTER YOU TRAVEL

  • Get tested with a COVID test 3-5 days after travel AND stay home and self-quarantine for a full 7 days after travel. 
  • Even if you test negative, stay home and self-quarantine for the full 7 days. 
  • If your test is positive, isolate yourself to protect others from getting infected. 
  • If you don’t get tested, stay home and self-quarantine for 10 days after travel. 
  • Avoid being around people who are at increased risk for severe illness for 14 days, whether you get tested or not. 
  • Self-monitor for COVID-19 symptoms; isolate and get tested if you develop symptoms. 

We rely on each individual to closely monitor themselves for any unusual symptoms upon return to work after vacation.

 Any feelings of being unwell should be followed up with a COVID test.

We do not recommend international travel unless you are full vaccinated and even then, we ask that your travel should be essential and not recreational.

For full CDC recommendations follow this link HERE

Contact Information 

If you have any questions about travel, please contact your Dean, Program Director or Supervisor. These guidelines are subject to change at any time depending on the current COVID-19 situation.