Update on UConn COVID-19 Testing and Quarantine Requirements Following International Travel
Effective 4/25/22
Background
This guideline applies to all international travel, whether traveling for business or personal reasons. Employees who have approval to telecommute full-time and therefore do not anticipate returning to any UConn facilities for at least two weeks after returning from planned travel are not subject to these guidelines.
Please note that all existing approvals and other rules regarding requests to travel on UConn-related business will continue without change.
UConn will continue to update its COVID-19 guidelines as rates of COVID-19 change and as additional scientific evidence becomes available.
Definitions
For purposes of this guideline:
- “Fully vaccinated” means at least 2 weeks after the 2nd dose for the Pfizer/Moderna COVID-19 vaccine, or at least 2 weeks after the single dose of the Janssen/Johnson & Johnson COVID-19 vaccine; and
- “Recent history of COVID-19” means testing positive for or being diagnosed with SARS CoV-2 within the past 90 days.
| Scenarios |
HR Notification |
Testing |
Quarantine |
Scenario 1 (Domestic)
Vaccine Status and recent COVID-19 history not applicable. |
None. |
None. |
None. |
Scenario 2 (International)
Employee IS fully vaccinated |
Required. |
3- 5 Days Upon Return. |
None. |
Scenario 3 (International)
Employee has recent COVID-19 history |
Required. |
None. |
None. |
Scenario 4 (International)
Employee IS NOT fully vaccinated and DOES NOT have a recent COVID-19 history |
Required. |
3- 5 Days Upon Return |
5 Days. |
Scenario 1: Domestic Travel - Vaccine Status and Recent COVID-19 History Not Applicable
No HR Notice, Quarantine, or Testing Required. If traveling out of state but within the United States, employees are not required to notify Human Resources before travel, self-quarantine, or test upon return to Connecticut. Employees can return-to-work without delay upon return to the state.
Scenario 2: International Travel – Fully Vaccinated Employees
Notice to HR, Testing Upon Return. Employees, even those who are fully vaccinated, must notify Human Resources and fill out UConn’s travel form before any international travel. The travel forms are available on the HR website. This notice requirement applies to employees traveling internationally by whatever mode.
Before Departure to the U.S. Under federal law, all air travelers coming from abroad, regardless of vaccination status, may be required to have a negative SARS-CoV-2 viral test or documentation or recover from COVID-19 before they board a flight to the United States. Such testing is the responsibility of the traveler for both personal and business travel. The cost of the pre-travel test for UConn-related business travel is eligible for reimbursement through Travel Services, if not covered by the employee’s health insurance.
Testing Upon Return to the U.S. Fully vaccinated employees who are returning from traveling abroad will be required to undergo SARS-CoV-2 viral testing:
- Such employees will undergo a SARS-CoV-2 RNA test 3-5 days after return from travel. This test may be done privately (with results shared to hr@uconn.edu) or, for business travel, through UConn (results will be reported directly to HR). HR will acquire a list of international business travel from Travel Services for testing. If an employee is unable to undergo testing within this timeframe, testing must be performed prior to return to work.
- Fully vaccinated employees do not need to self-quarantine while awaiting the results of this test; they may return to work without delay.
Scenario 3: International Travel - Employees With Recent COVID-19 History
Notice to HR. Employees who have a Recent History of COVID-19 and are traveling internationally must notify Human Resources and fill out UConn's Pre-Travel form. The Pre-Travel form is available on the HR website.
No Testing or Quarantine Required. Although notification to HR is still required for international travel, employees who have a Recent History of COVID-19 at the time of their departure will not be tested upon return to work, and are not required to self-quarantine. Such employees are able to return-to-work without delay upon return to the state.
Scenario 4: International Travel - Employees Who Are Not Fully Vaccinated and Do Not Have a Recent History of COVID-19
Notice to HR. All employees who are not fully vaccinated and do not have a recent history of COVID-19 must notify Human Resources and fill out UConn’s travel form before any international travel. The travel forms are available on the HR website.
This notice requirement applies to employees traveling internationally by whatever mode.
Quarantine and Testing Protocols Remain. Employees who are not fully vaccinated or do not have a recent history of COVID-19, as those terms are defined above, at the time of their travel departure will continue to be subject to quarantine and testing protocols, per CDC recommendations. Specifically:
- Such employees will undergo a SARS-CoV-2 RNA test 3-5 days after return from travel. This test may be performed through UConn as part of mandatory weekly testing.
- Employees will be required to stay home and self-quarantine for a full 5 days after return from travel. A 5-day quarantine is required even if the results of an employee’s test is negative.
- Any individual who tests positive during his or her return from travel testing will be required to isolate in accordance with University guidance.
Exceptions: If management determines that an employee may effectively perform the duties of his/her job remotely, management may approve telecommuting for an employee in lieu of post-travel quarantine. Additionally, to address operational concerns, management may permit or require an employee to report to work in lieu of quarantining for 5 days to address critical staffing needs, as long as the employee has received a negative test result (3-5 days after return from travel) and complies with other heightened COVID-19 safety protocols.
- Heightened COVID-19 Safety Protocols. Employees permitted to return to work during the first 5 days after return from travel will be required to continue to observe the standard COVID-19 precautions, including wearing a mask at all times while in UConn facilities and self-monitoring for symptoms. In addition, employees should observe the heightened precautions of eating alone and away from other employees, and limiting time spent in close proximity with others. Individuals who develop any symptoms should promptly leave work and contact the COVID-19 Call Center to schedule SARS-CoV-2 testing.
NOTE: If travel is personal and not for approved UConn business, employees must use accrued time off for any time that they are required to quarantine post-travel.
Note regarding International Travel. Under federal law, all air travelers coming from abroad, regardless of vaccination status, may be required to have a negative SARS-CoV-2 viral test or documentation or recover from COVID-19 before they board a flight to the United States.
Additional Considerations
- Employees traveling outside of their local community should still consider that travel increases the risk of getting and spreading COVID-19 to others. The CDC, DPH, and UConn continue to discourage any non-essential travel. In addition, UConn strongly encourages employees to avoid any travel to Level 4 countries.
- All employees – including those who are fully vaccinated – should still follow DPH’s and CDC’s recommendations for traveling safely including wearing a well-fitting mask over your nose and mouth, staying at least 6 feet away from others and avoiding crowds, and washing your hands or using alcohol-based hand sanitizer frequently.
- After returning from travel, all employees must continue to self-monitor for fever or symptoms of COVID-19 and stay at home and get tested if they experience any symptoms.
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