Travel Guidelines & Expectations

The following considerations should guide your request and planning process:

CONSIDERATIONS

• Programs should consider purpose of the proposed trip and the population that students will be exposed to/exposing when making decisions to move forward with planning.
  • Will students be interacting with populations at higher risk for contracting COVID-19 such as older individuals and those with pre-existing health conditions?
  • What is the current prevalence of COVID-19 at the location(s) you plan to travel to and through if making stops along the way?
  • Are there currently travel restrictions or quarantine requirements in place at the proposed location(s)?
• Students/faculty/staff should be made aware of expectations for travel including awareness of Flashes Prevention Information, which includes guidelines about facial coverings and physical distancing, throughout the entirety of the experience and what the protocol is if they develop COVID-19 symptoms while away.
• Faculty/staff leadership should be voluntary, and the risks associated with travel understood:
  • Staff leaders may need to drive a symptomatic participant to the nearest hospital/medical center if they become symptomatic.
  • Exposure to an infected individual on the trip would result in self-isolation of the faculty/staff member upon their return to campus. The consequences of isolation would include disruption to staffing in the office as well as to their personal lives.

PLANNING

The following questions should be addressed when planning and all guidelines and protocols must align with the Flashes Prevention Information, regardless of the guidelines in place at your destinations.

• Are physical distancing protocols in place and outlined in all locations that participants will visit?
• Can lodging be provided in such a way as to allow for required physical distancing?
• How will meals be organized to ensure required social distancing? Are restaurants on your itinerary using proper protocols?
• Can mode of transportation ensure proper social distancing? For example, trip capacity may need to be limited to 12 travelers per 56-passenger motorcoach bus.
• Is emergency contact information current for all travelers?
• Do you have a PPE emergency pack? It should include a face shield or eye goggles, gown and gloves.

BEFORE DEPARTURE

• Consult with the Office of General Counsel to determine any necessary updates to liability waivers that need to be signed by participants.
• Conduct temperature checks and the Flashes Safe Eight health assessment of each traveler and receive verbal confirmation that all participants are free of symptoms.
• Ensure each traveler has cloth face coverings.
• Assign a staff member to be responsible for having the PPE emergency pack on hand throughout the duration of the trip.

DURING TRAVEL

• Flashes Prevention Information, which includes guidelines about facial coverings and physical distancing, 
• Daily confirmation that health assessment has been completed by all participants.

WHAT IF SOMEONE BECOMES SYMPTOMATIC ON THE TRIP?

• Self-isolate (room assignments may need to be adjusted).
• PPE should be offered to the sick traveler to protect other travelers. At a minimum, a face covering must be worn.
• Testing should be conducted as soon as possible at a local testing center. Maintain the CDC physical distancing guidelines when in transit.