Updated process for requesting high-risk travel and COVID-19
From: The Global Education Office
Planning a travel abroad? There is a new process to better engage and provide travelers with information related to travel safety during the pandemic. Travel may be for university activities such as research, meetings, study abroad, conferences, recruiting, competitions, field work, etc.
Policy 1070
Virginia Tech Policy 1070: Global Travel Policy does not authorize any university-supported international travel to or from locations where the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has issued a Travel Health Notice Level 3 or higher. Also, Policy 1070 does not authorize student university-supported international travel to locations where the U.S. Department of State has issued a Travel Advisory Level 3 or higher.
Travelers can petition the Global Travel Oversight Committee (GTOC) for an exception to Policy 1070 for high risk travel. Exceptions are not automatically approved and can be revoked at any time. Travel to a high-risk location without a waiver from the GTOC constitutes personal travel. For students, credit transfer will not be accepted by Virginia Tech for unauthorized global travel. Only students that receive a waiver from the GTOC will be authorized credit transfer from studying abroad.
New process
If your destination is high risk due to COVID-19, the request process is now a Canvas course that must be completed by the below deadlines, based on the traveler’s affiliation to Virginia Tech and vaccination status. This course includes 9 modules. We recommend setting aside 45 minutes to an hour to complete the course and submit your request for travel.
COVID-19 Vaccination Status |
Affiliation to Virginia Tech |
Deadline |
Undergraduate students
Faculty, staff, and graduate students |
At least 30 days prior to departure At least 14 days prior to departure |
|
Faculty, staff, graduate students, and undergraduate students |
At least 45 days prior to departure |
If a destination is high risk for reasons other than COVID-19, the standard process for a request for an exception to university policy for high risk travel must be followed.
Dependents and guests are not required to complete this course, but are welcome to if they are interested in the provided information.
For any questions related to Policy 1070 or petitioning for an exception to the policy, please contact vtglobalsafety@vt.edu. For general information related to COVID-19, please see the VT Ready site.