Summer 2021 travel guidelines

March 31, 2021

See also: Summer event guidelines | Summer visitor guidelines

Updated June 2, 2021

The following summer travel guidelines are for all Purdue (WL) faculty, staff, and students who are traveling for work or in connection with a course or student activity, including Purdue Extension and Polytechnic Statewide. These guidelines took effect May 9.

International Travel

  1. International travel for critical research that meets the criteria below may be approved. No other university-sponsored international travel, regardless of funding source, is allowed. 
  2. The university requires all those embarking on international travel to be fully vaccinated for COVID-19 (per CDC definition).  Alternatively, an approved declination of vaccination for COVID-19 should be on file with the Protect Purdue Health Center or PUSH (students) prior to departure.
  3. For externally funded research only, critical international travel for faculty and staff may be approved only for the purposes of completing externally funded research that requires in-country work or access to specialized facilities that are not available in the USA to meet the goals and deliverables of the funded project. Where travel is unallowable on sponsored funds or grant funds have been fully exhausted, other funding sources may be considered for approval. 
  4. All travelers returning from international travel must complete any self-quarantine and/or testing protocols in effect at the time of return.   The current protocol calls for self-quarantine for 7 days upon return and prior to physical presence on any Purdue campus. Additionally, travelers must have a negative COVID-19 test result prior to returning to campus, with such testing recommended around days 3-5 after return from travel in the absence of earlier COVID-19-related symptoms. Travelers must complete the full 7-day quarantine and continue to monitor for any symptoms of COVID-19.
  5. To request approval for international travel, faculty and staff must prepare a document that justifies:
    1. the travel is essential to the completion of a grant deliverable;
    2. the traveler(s) can be absent from campus for the duration of any travel/quarantine period without prejudicing other work responsibilities;
    3. the travel is otherwise permitted by law/guidance from both the country of origin and the country of destination;
    4. fiscal approval at the grant level supports the travel. Submit these requests to your Dean. No international travel is permitted without prior approval.
  6. For Purdue employees based internationally, travel (whether in-country or international) to conduct research may be possible if:
    1. allowed by in-country travel guidance;
    2. approved by the PI of the award.

Additional updated guidance from the CDC is also available.

Domestic Travel

  1. Travel within the State of Indiana is allowed. Travel must be conducted in full compliance with public health safety guidelines issued by the State of Indiana and vehicular travel guidelines below (#4).
  2. All domestic travel outside of Indiana, regardless of funding source (university-sponsored or externally-funded), may be approved for the purpose of completing essential work and should only occur if the travel can be conducted in full compliance with public health guidance issued by both the State of Indiana and the destination state at the time of travel. It is the responsibility of both the traveler and the approving department to ensure the travel is fully compliant.
    1. To request approval for domestic travel outside of Indiana, faculty and staff must prepare a document that justifies: 
      1.  the travel is essential;
      2. the traveler(s) can be absent from campus for the duration of any travel and potential quarantine period without prejudicing other work responsibilities; or, alternatively, that the travelers have received full COVID-19 vaccination such that a period of self-quarantine will not be necessary;
      3. the travel can be conducted in full compliance with public health guidance issued by both the State of Indiana and the destination state at the time of travel;
      4. fiscal approval at the grant or other funding source level supports the travel. Submit these requests to your Dean. No domestic travel outside of Indiana is permitted without prior approval.
    2. All travelers returning from domestic travel outside of Indiana and who have not received their full COVID-19 vaccination should consider whether or not to self-quarantine for up to 7 additional days upon return and prior to physical presence on any Purdue campus. This decision should be based upon the  current prevalence of the virus at points of travel and the nature and safety of the activities undertaken during the travel.  Additionally, unvaccinated travelers should consider being tested for COVID‑19 upon return and having a negative COVID-19 test result prior to returning to campus.
  3. Domestic air travel is permitted when such travel is necessary (e.g., when required for the conduct of research or engagement activities, attending a conference, etc.). Air travel must follow the guidance of any airline and airport used in connection with the travel. Travelers should maintain social distance in the airports and correctly wear a face mask. The CDC provides additional consideration for safe travel here. COVID-19 vaccination is strongly recommended prior to traveling by air. 
  4. Vehicular travel must be done in a manner that minimizes the possibility of COVID-19 transmission. The following safety guidelines must be followed:
    1. Everyone in the vehicle must correctly wear a face mask for the duration of the trip.
    2. Occupancy in the vehicle cannot exceed 50% total ridership based on the number of seats in a vehicle:
      1. Passenger vehicle (including compact cars, SUVs, etc.) – i.e., if 5 seats, occupancy cannot exceed 2 people.
      2. Passenger van and high-capacity trucks – i.e., if 10 seats, occupancy cannot exceed 5 people.
      3. Shuttle bus – i.e., if 16 seats, occupancy cannot exceed 8 people.
    3. Occupants in the vehicle should maintain 6 feet of separation in the vehicle, if possible. This may be accomplished by facing the same direction, sitting in alternating rows in a vehicle, or by maintaining a zig-zag pattern of seat spacing.
    4. Hand sanitizer, wipes and tissues must be available in the vehicle for each trip. A container in which to dispose of the wipes and tissues is also recommended.
    5. Circulate air within the vehicle at all times, as possible given weather conditions. Open or partially open windows and use outside air for air conditioning.
    6. Whenever possible, seek to minimize stops while traveling.

Additional updated guidance from the CDC is also available.

Student Travel

  1. Student international travel, regardless of funding source or country, including but not limited to study abroad and student organization sponsored trips, is suspended through July 31, 2021.
  2. Student Organizations may engage in domestic travel with COVID safety plans approved by the Office of Student Activities and Organizations.
  3. Domestic student travel may be approved with Dean or Vice Provost approval.  If traveling by car, travelers must follow the vehicular travel guidelines described in item 4 above.  If participation in such events is considered voluntary (i.e., they are not required for completion of an academic program), full vaccination (or completed declination) for COVID-19 is required prior to embarking on travel.

Fiscal Approval

  1. All travel, international and domestic, is subject to fiscal approval.
    1. Externally-funded travel will follow the approval process in place for the funding source (e.g., grant from which the funds are drawn to pay for the travel).
    2. All university-sponsored travel expenditures must be reviewed to ensure consistency with the approved FY21 budget.
    3. All faculty and staff must follow the university’s guidelines for booking and paying for travel expenses. The Business Office will not reimburse out-of-state travel entered in Concur without an approved travel waiver.

Personal Travel

  1. The university recommends against personal international travel due to the Department of State advisories and CDC guidance and strongly urges the entire campus community to exercise all due care for personal domestic travel and to obtain full COVID-19 vaccination status prior to embarking on international travel. 

NOTE: All Intercollegiate Athletics travel will follow NCAA and conference rules and guidelines.