To the Campus Community,
As many of you have heard, the CDC announced new guidelines last week regarding face coverings. Today Massachusetts Governor Charlie Baker also announced the state’s plans to lift COVID-19 restrictions at the end of May. In the next two weeks, we will be diligently working with the UMass president’s office and other campuses to adjust our related policies and plans for summer and fall 2021 semesters. For now, in our continued effort to provide clear, consistent and timely communications, we want to share updates related to our face covering and travel policies. As always, the health and safety of our entire community continues to be our number one priority. These decisions are based on a rigorous evaluation of health conditions, federal and state public health authority guidance, statistics surrounding the COVID-19 virus, and vaccination rates.
Face Covering Policy
While we are aware of the recent announcements made by both the CDC and Governor Baker, UMass Boston will continue, for now, to mandate face coverings at all times on campus. We will be evaluating the Governor’s announcement today about orders being lifted and as the local orders are updated, we will review our campus policy and provide timely notifications to our community.
Travel Quarantine Policy
In light of recent updates to CDC guidelines for travel and for vaccinated individuals we are making changes to our campus travel policy. The guidance (domestic and international) suggests that some travel – for vaccinated individuals travelling domestically and to CDC Level 1 and 2 countries – is relatively low risk.
Travelers returning from out-of-state personal or university-affiliated travel must follow the following quarantine rules.
- For vaccinated individuals:
- Domestic travel: Vaccinated individuals returning from domestic travel do not need to quarantine off campus. They may return to work on campus immediately upon arrival in Massachusetts.
- International travel: Vaccinated individuals must quarantine off campus before returning to work. Upon receipt of a negative COVID-19 test, administered by University Health Services 3-5 days after arrival in Massachusetts, the individual may return to campus.
- For unvaccinated individuals:
- After returning from out-of-state travel (domestic or international), unvaccinated individuals must quarantine off campus prior to returning following one of two options.
- Option 1: Quarantine off campus for 10 days, without symptoms, prior to returning to campus.
- Option 2: Upon receipt of a negative COVID-19 test, administered by University Health Services 3-5 days after arrival in Massachusetts, the individual may return to campus.
University Sponsored/Affiliated Travel
University sponsored/affiliated travel remains restricted. Recent CDC guidance (domestic and international) suggests that some travel – for vaccinated individuals travelling domestically and to CDC Level 1 and 2 countries – is relatively low risk. In light of this updated guidance, the university will now allow proposals for essential out of state travel.
Considerations in reviewing proposed travel:
- Essential travel is defined as time sensitive and critical to the mission and function of the department.
- CDC guidance makes clear that travel is relatively low risk for vaccinated individuals, if traveling domestically or to countries deemed low risk (Level 1 and 2) by the CDC. This guidance will be considered in the approval process.
- The CDC continues to advise that international travel carries heightened risk, with 80% of countries in the highest category of risk (Level 4). Proposals for international travel to high risk countries are unlikely to be approved and the risk level of the destination country will be a major factor in the review process.
Those proposing travel must complete a Travel Exception Checklist for domestic or international travel, which includes the following steps:
- Justification of why the travel is essential
- Letting the university know if traveler(s) have been vaccinated for COVID-19
- Receive Dean/VC approval (field research proposals should receive Field Research Committee approval)
- Register all info for overnight travel in Terra Dotta
- Review by Travel Risk Management Team
Please note: In-state travel for faculty field research will continue to follow the process for in-state field research.
If you have any questions or concerns related to the face covering and travel policy updates -- or any matters related to returning to campus, please email us at: returntocampus@umb.edu
Stay safe; stay strong. Go Beacons!
