Travel guidelines

May 14, 2021

See also: Event guidelines | Visitor guidelines

Updated August 15, 2022

The following guidelines for travel are in effect until further notice, and are part of the Protect Purdue Plan and were developed to help ensure the health and safety of the campus community. These 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. 

International Travel

  1. The university requires all those embarking on international travel to do so in full compliance with public health safety guidelines issued by the university, point of departure, modality of travel and destination. It is the responsibility of both the traveler and the approving department to ensure the travel is fully compliant
    1. Travelers should check to ensure that their vaccination status, including for COVID-19, is up to date or current, and in compliance with their destinations
  2. Guidelines for visitors arriving on campus from outside the U.S. as well as for Purdue employees or students returning to campus after international travel:
    1. If you are up to date with current recommendations, i.e., fully vaccinated with an approved vaccine including boosters: You should self-test for COVID-19 3-5 days after arrival in the U.S. No self-quarantine protocol is required unless you are experiencing COVID-19 symptoms.
    2. If you are not fully vaccinated: You must self-quarantine for 5 days after arrival in the U.S. and prior to presence on any Purdue campus AND self-test for COVID-19 3-5 days after arrival (regardless of the outcome of the test, you will need to complete the full 5-day self-quarantine). 
    3. If you test negative yet develop symptoms after the initial screening test but within 14 days of arrival, repeat the self-test. If positive, follow guidance on isolation. If negative, please avoid campus until symptoms resolve and you are fever-free without medication for 24 hours. 
  3. 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 United States is allowed. Travel must be conducted in full compliance with public health safety guidelines issued by the university, State of Indiana, modality of travel and destination. It is the responsibility of both the traveler and the approving department to ensure the travel is fully compliant.
  2. Vehicular travel must be done in a manner that minimizes the possibility of COVID-19 transmission. The following safety guidelines must be followed:
    1. High-quality, tight-fitting masks (e.g., KF94, KN95, or N95) are encouraged, but not required, for all vehicle occupants, particularly when weather conditions are not conducive to fresh air circulation. 
    2. Individuals should not travel if they are symptomatic. 
    3. 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.
    4. Whenever possible, seek to minimize stops while traveling.

Additional updated guidance from the CDC is also available.

Student Travel

  1. Domestic student travel is permitted. Review and approval should return to pre-COVID‑19 processes. Travel must be conducted in full compliance with public health safety guidelines issued by the university, State of Indiana, modality of travel and destination. It is the responsibility of both the traveler and the approving department to ensure the travel is compliant.
  2. Study abroad, and other forms of international student travel, including but not limited to travel sponsored by student organizations and individual student travel, is permitted. Recommended approval for travel from the University’s Security and Risk Assessment Committee (SRAC) and subsequent approval from University leadership is also required when the country/countries that will be visited have a US Department of State Travel Advisory which is specifically at “Level 2 – Exercise Increased Caution – Contains Areas with Higher Security Risk” or higher. Please note that student travel to countries with a “Level 4 – Do Not Travel” designation is not allowed except when the designation is solely based on COVID-19 conditions. 

CDC recommendations for travel: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/travelers/travel-during-covid19.html

Personal Travel

  1. The university urges the entire campus community to exercise all due care for personal domestic and international travel and to obtain full COVID-19 vaccination status prior to embarking on international travel. If not vaccinated for COVID-19, individuals should follow Protect Purdue guidelines regarding post travel symptom monitoring and self-quarantine when symptoms or test results require it.  

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