Re: Travel Guidance Updates
To: Faculty, post-docs and staff
April 27, 2021
Dear Colleagues:
On April 2, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) updated its guidance on domestic and international travel for fully vaccinated individuals. “Fully vaccinated” is defined as two weeks past your second dose of the Pfizer or Moderna vaccines.
As a result of the updated CDC guidance, the travel guidance from the Office of the President has been rescinded and all UC Merced employees are directed to follow the CDC Guidance before, during and upon return from travel. While most restrictions on travel for UC Merced employees have been removed, it is strongly recommended to continue to book official university travel through the UC Merced travel system, Concur, in order for travelers to receive critical information about their destinations, automatically register for UC’s Traveler Insurance, protect travel funds and facilitate efficient trip reconciliation upon return.
For those planning to travel internationally, please note the CDC has identified 152 countries as VERY HIGH RISK for COVID-19. All travel to countries on the CDC’s LEVEL 4 list should be avoided. Please review the CDC risk classification for specific countries before booking travel. Travel to any country included on CDC’s LEVEL 4 list requires preapproval. Please contact Cindi Zimmerman, Risk Manager, to facilitate the approval process.
Please read the following additional travel guidance updates.
Domestic Travel
Fully vaccinated people can travel within the United States and do not need COVID-19 testing or post-travel self-quarantine as long as they continue to take COVID-19 precautions while traveling – wearing a mask, avoiding crowds, socially distancing, and washing hands frequently.
International Travel
Fully vaccinated people can travel internationally without getting a COVID-19 test before travel unless required by the international destination. Fully vaccinated people do not need to self-quarantine after returning to the United States unless required by a state or local jurisdiction. Fully vaccinated people must still have a negative COVID-19 test result before they board a flight to the United States and get a COVID-19 test three to five days after returning from international travel. Fully vaccinated people should continue to take COVID-19 precautions while traveling internationally – wearing a mask, avoiding crowds, socially distancing, and washing hands frequently.
