May 27, 2021
Sent on behalf of Risk Management
In the May 12, 2021, Update from the Continuity of Operations Committee it was announced that National and International business travel would be permitted after July 1, 2021, subject to the EVMS travel policies, as well as other COVID protocols and CDC guidance. The current EVMS International Travel Policy utilizes the U.S. Department of State’s 4-tiered travel alert system as the primary guide for travel approval. At this time, eighty percent (80%) of all foreign countries are listed as a Level-4 Do Not Travel warning based on CDC’s Travel Health notices. See U.S. State Department updated Travel Advisory.
Pre-COVID procedures do not allow EVMS business travel to countries with a Level-4 Do Not Travel warning. EVMS Risk Management is continuously monitoring how other institutions are responding to the need to resume international travel for educational requirements and professional advancement and the impact of the blanket Level 4 travel warnings. We will work with Senior Management to determine a safe and pragmatic resumption of international travel but, at this time, we will continue following the pre-COVID procedures and not approve travel to Level-4 countries.
The majority of the remaining 20% of foreign countries are a Level 3 – Reconsider Travel. This level requires additional internal review by the EVMS International Education Safety Committee Review for approval, which is facilitated through Risk Management.
Per policy, unapproved international travel will not be deemed as "EVMS Travel" and, as such will not be eligible for educational credit (student or resident) or reimbursement by EVMS. Therefore, Look Before You Book any airlines flights or other non-refundable deposits at the U.S. Department of State travel alerts and warnings and the CDC COVID Risk Assessment.
We will provide any changes to the guidance as soon as it is available.