Dear Fletcher Students,
I’m writing to advise you on the policies related to summer travel for 2021. Avoiding travel is one of the best ways to protect yourself and others from COVID-19. At the same time, the university recognizes that some travel may be necessary in connection with requirements for degree completion or for research activities. This policy updates the travel policy dated October 21, 2020. In addition to the guidance below, any additional restrictions or procedures at your school or unit beyond the University policy also should be followed.
Tufts is fundamentally continuing its broad essential-only travel policy throughout the summer. However, recognizing that, with vaccines becoming more available within the US (and elsewhere) and the differential implications of summer travel on the health and safety of our communities on campus, the university is expanding its definition of “essential” travel.
Should travel be approved, all travelers must adhere to policies of the states/localities they are visiting—including any and all quarantine/isolation/stay-at home advisories/or shelter in place orders, should they arise.
We will continue to monitor the public health situation and government travel advisories and adjust our guidance accordingly should the situation change. Please note that based on CDC or Massachusetts Department of Public Health guidelines and or any possible future increase in incident COVID-19 cases in the Commonwealth, the United States or world-wide (i.e., due to new and emerging variants), our policy may change without advance notice.
All domestic travel will be permitted this summer, with the condition that upon return to campus, Tufts travelers must abide by the Massachusetts travel policy and Tufts’ requirements described below. University-affiliated group travel and school or unit-organized domestic programs (in which activity is conducted under a single program (i.e., with significant university involvement, such as credit or operational support in addition to financial support) will require review and approval by the relevant Dean, EAD or their designee and the Office of the Infection Control Health Director (at OccHealth@tufts.edu) prior to the start of the program, to ensure that standard CDC-recommended precautions are being implemented (e.g., social distancing, masking, cleaning/hygiene/organization of space at the destination locations). Any additional school or unit policies or restrictions on travel will continue to apply.
International travel by university-affiliated groups and school/unit-organized programs will not be permitted to travel during the summer of 2021. Individual international travel by students will be allowed on an “essential only” basis, as determined by Executive Assoc. Dean Blanco based on the following criteria:
- The activity (research, internship, study, etc.) cannot be done remotely
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- Does the nature of the work require you to be in person (e.g. consider an internship in humanitarian aid vs analysis/research role)?
- Is there an option for it to be done virtually?
- Postponement would cause significant harm or damage (e.g., compromise research results, prevent degree completion, etc.)
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- Is the activity necessary for your degree and/or could it be done at a later date?
- The activity is needed for degree completion/capstone or for career advancement
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- Will the activity improve your position upon graduation and make you more employable?
- In terms of public health, describe the circumstances of your travel/lodging and how you will mitigate the potential for COVID infection? (Include details on travel, safety protocols, accommodations, plans for potential quarantine abroad and plan for getting tested prior to returning).
For international travel, the rapidly changing circumstances inherent in the COVID-19 situation around the world give rise to risks related to international travel above and beyond those inherent in domestic travel. If circumstances change when a traveler is in country, they may become stranded indefinitely (either because of quarantines and other restrictions, lack of access to testing, or lack of means of transportation to return home), at potentially significant personal and financial cost. Moreover, if travelers became ill, access to healthcare may be limited. In both situations, the support Tufts would be able to offer would be limited, as costs would not be covered by insurance or Tufts. And as a civically-minded university, it is our responsibility also to consider the burden travel by Tufts affiliates may impose in host countries from endangering local populations to taking resources that would be used better to care for their own communities.
All travel for the purpose of conducting research activities (domestic or international) must be reviewed and approved by the Integrative Safety Committee .
All travelers will be required to acknowledge and sign a COVID-19 Traveler pledge and an Assumption of Risk and General Release and to abide by Massachusetts travel policyand Tufts requirements described below upon return. All international travelers are also highly encouraged to book through Travel Collaborative, the University preferred travel provider, and to try to find airlines, hotels or rentals that are offering flexible cancellation and refund policies.
In addition, for both undergraduate and graduate students, international travel must adhere to the existing International Travel Policy. Students traveling internationally must obtain approval from the International Travel Review Committee for travel to countries with a US Department of State Level 3 rating and higher (currently the entire world) and must register their travel in the Tufts Travel Registry.
Requirements upon return from out-of-region travel (domestic or international)
Tufts faculty, staff and students must abide by Massachusetts travel policy and either remain in quarantine for 10 days or produce a negative COVID-19 test result administered within 72 hours of arrival. This means that travelers returning from out-of-region may not come to campus except for surveillance testing until they have completed quarantine or have received a negative COVID-19 test result. Students who participate in routine COVID-19 surveillance testing may test immediately on return from travel but must wait for a negative result before returning to campus.
Requesting approvals:
In summary, if you are traveling internationally on a university affiliated trip (research, internships, any trip where you receive funding from Fletcher/Tufts, etc.) you must go through an approval process and we recommend you initiate this process as soon as you have identified your need to travel as it can take several weeks. You should take the following steps to obtain the necessary approvals:
1) Receive the approval from the EAD by :
a) Clicking HERE if you are requesting/receiving funds from Fletcher for a summer internship. Note that we have consolidated the process for both request of funds and approval of travel by the EAD via this form.
b) For all other students requesting approval for international travel click HERE to submit your request.
2)If your request is approved by the EAD, you must receive approval by the International Travel Review Committee (ITRC) which is requested by completing the Tufts Travel Registry.
If you have any questions please feel free to contact Katie Mulroy in the Office of Student Affairs (Katie.Mulroy@tufts.edu).