The following information includes the latest travel guidance from UNMC and Nebraska Medicine for faculty, providers, colleagues and students. This is intended to slow the progression of COVID-19 in our community and protect our patients, families and each other from infection with COVID-19. Children’s Hospital & Medical Center also is following this practice. The policy will be reassessed every one to two months.
Policy
In order to slow the progression of COVID-19 in our community and protect our patients, families, and each other from infection with COVID-19, UNMC and Nebraska Medicine, in conjunction with Children’s Hospital, are implementing travel restrictions on international and domestic UNMC- and/or Nebraska Medicine-related travel, effective immediately and until further notice and providing the following travel guidelines for all faculty, staff, residents, fellows, and students. This policy applies to regional, national and international travel regardless of the mode of transportation (air, rail, or automobile). This policy does not apply to travel within Nebraska or surrounding states that is considered part of routine assigned duties or an approved educational program of the employee/student/resident. The policy will be reassessed every one to two months.
Procedures
Restrictions on Business Travel (UNMC-and/or Nebraska Medicine-Sponsored)
-
All UNMC- and/or Nebraska Medicine-related travel is suspended effective immediately:
-
Travel that is being planned for the future, but not yet approved or booked will not be approved or booked during the restriction.
-
Travel through June 30, 2020, that is already approved and booked and paid for by UNMC, Children’s Hospital or Nebraska Medicine should be cancelled in such a manner so as to minimize financial loss.
-
Travel through June 30, 2020, that is already booked and paid for by entities other than UNMC, Children’s Hospital or Nebraska Medicine, but involves traveling under an approved absence from UNMC should be cancelled in such a manner so as to minimize financial loss.
-
For travel that is already booked and paid for in part by the employee or student and has not yet been reimbursed, reimbursement will be arranged through the appropriate academic unit for those portions of the trip that are related to the approved travel that the college had agreed to support.
-
Reimbursement for personal activities that have been booked as an addendum to the UNMC- and/or Nebraska Medicine-approved travel will not be reimbursed.
-
For UNMC travel, travel arrangements should be cancelled via the Concur booking tool, or for guest bookings, contact FOX World Travel at 855-694-4287. Any questions can be sent to Melody Stark at the NU Travel Office (Melody.Stark@nebraska.edu).
-
-
Exceptions to this travel restriction for UNMC faculty, staff, or students will be made only for travel that is deemed to be essential as approved by the Dean/Director of the UNMC College/Institute, upon the request for review by the traveler. For some colleges, exemption requests should first be reviewed and endorsed by the individual’s department chair (College of Medicine), assistant dean, or other supervisor. Please check with the dean’s office for current policies
-
In the case of faculty or staff employed by Children’s Specialty Physicians, approval of the exception by the Children’s Hospital Chief Clinical Officer will also be required.
-
In the case of faculty or staff employed by the Chancellor’s office, approval of the exception will be made by the Vice Chancellor for Business and Finance.
-
In the case of individuals employed solely by Nebraska Medicine, the exception will be made by the CEO or their designee.
-
Exceptions will be granted only after thoughtful consideration of the essential academic and/or business need for the travel, virtual attendance options, and the potential impact on the provision of patient care or other essential functions.
Restrictions on Personal Travel
-
Employees and students are highly discouraged from travel to areas with Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Travel Health Notices, regardless of level, or anywhere outside of the continental United States or on travel by cruise ship. Domestic travel should also be carefully considered and should be limited to essential travel, particularly if the traveler is at increased risk (based on age or the presence of co-morbidities) or lives with individuals who may be at increased risk, if infection with COVID-19 occurs.
-
Students should be aware that personal travel outside the United States may result in delay or quarantine, which may delay the completion of their academic program.
-
Employees and students must notify their supervisor in advance to allow for planning upon return. Employees should regularly consult the CDC website to understand the changing COVID-19 status of their destination and should adhere to its guidelines related to travel.
Return from Travel
-
Upon completion of any travel, the faculty, staff, resident, fellow, or student may be required to self-quarantine for a period of up to 14 days based on current recommendations from the CDC, the Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services and the county health department. If required to go into self-quarantine, the traveler must contact Employee Health or Student Health as appropriate for a wellness screening prior to returning to work or class. Failure to do so could result in disciplinary action.
-
After traveling internationally, the traveler is required to contact Employee Health or Student Health as appropriate for a wellness screening prior to returning to work or class. Failure to do so could result in disciplinary action.
-
Attendance and pay guidelines specific to any required quarantine or time off from work will vary depending upon whether the faculty or staff member is employed by UNMC or UNMC and Children’s Specialty Physicians, UNMC and Nebraska Medicine, or Nebraska Medicine. Faculty, staff, residents and fellows will need to discuss the situation with the appropriate human resources officer(s) for their specific circumstances. Students should contact their office of student affairs regarding student absence and attendance policies for their college.