University-Sponsored Domestic Travel Ban Lifted

Effective Wednesday, May 26, 2021, the travel ban on university-sponsored domestic travel – defined as travel within the contiguous United States as well as Alaska and Hawaii – was lifted. Employees, guests, graduate students, and undergraduates traveling domestically for business purposes should follow campus existing travel policy guidance.  The Concur online travel booking function is now available for self-booking of domestic air, lodging, and car rental. All domestic travel should follow current campus health protocols as well as  CDC Domestic Travel Guidance.  It is recommended that individuals delay university-sponsored domestic travel until fully vaccinated. Any individual who is not vaccinated should wear a face covering when driving or riding with others. Vehicle occupancy when traveling with an individual who is not vaccinated is recommended to be no more than 50 percent of capacity. Those organizing travel for individuals whose primary work site is at the UW Madison campus have the option of limiting vehicle occupancy to those with a green Badger Badge. International Travel Remains Restricted All employee, guest, graduate student, and undergraduate international travel remains restricted. In limited cases, academic deans, vice chancellors and research directors may approve essential international travel. Essential activities are those that: support, further or execute the organization’s mission; cannot be rescheduled effectively; will result in the loss of significant external financial grant or award if not executed; and/or are not available and cannot be accomplished online or by other alternative means. Employees seeking an exception will need to download and complete an Essential Travel Exemption Form. Once the Essential Travel Exemption Form has been approved by division leadership [Jeremy Traska], it should be submitted to Dan Langer at dan.langer@wisc.edu For any approved international travel, all air passengers coming into the U.S. must follow CDC International Travel Guidance.  If not otherwise required, it is recommended that individuals delay university-sponsored international travel until fully vaccinated. In addition, regardless of whether student international travel is approved by division leadership as essential, students must still comply with the UW–Madison International Travel Policy. The International Travel Policy applies to students of all levels and programs of study – undergraduate, graduate, and professional.  Students are precluded from travel to any location that remains under a U.S. Department of State level 3 or 4 travel advisory or a CDC warning notice level 3. The International Travel Policy offers a process by which waivers can be requested if risks can be mitigated effectively. See the UW–Madison International Safety and Security website’s “policies and standards” tab for more information about the policy and waiver process. International travelers on university-related business without approval are subject to personal financial responsibility and potentially individual or group corrective action.