Temple University Advisories
COVID-19 (Coronavirus)
Since January, Temple University has been closely monitoring the outbreak of the respiratory illness COVID-19 (coronavirus) throughout the world. The Elevated/High Risk Committee’s deliberations have been informed by regular updates and recommendations from International SOS, The World Health Organization (WHO), the U.S. Department of State (U.S. DOS), and the Centers for Disease Control (CDC).
Fall 2020 & Spring 2021 International Travel Guidance
Temple University has suspended all non-essential international business travel for the fall 2020 and spring 2021 semesters until further notice. If faculty/staff feel that their trip cannot be rescheduled and is necessary as part of their position or career/educational advancement, they can submit a COVID-19 Travel Exception Form. More details regarding COVID international and domestic travel guidance can be found in the Interim COVID-19 International and Domestic Travel Protocol on the Return to Campus tab of TU Portal.
All student international travel has also been suspended for the fall 2020 and spring 2021 semesters until further notice. Graduate and/or professional students who feel that their trip cannot be rescheduled and is necessary as part of their degree may submit a petition to be considered as an exception. All petitions will be considered high/elevated risk in accordance with the University's International Travel Policy.
The situation will be reassessed at periodic intervals with updates provided to the community, based on international, national, state and local guidance, to determine whether a revision or extension of the restrictions for students and for faculty and staff may be warranted. Given the uncertainty of the situation, faculty, staff and students should be prepared to postpone (or cancel) any programs or work that require travel and/or transition to an alternative, remote mode.
For information regarding the status of Temple Rome, Temple Japan, and other undergraduate study abroad programs for spring of 2021, visit Education Abroad’s website.
For domestic travel guidance, faculty & staff should reference the latest updates on Temple's Return to Campus website.
Planning for Spring, Summer, or Fall 2021
Education Abroad & Overseas Campuses and Risk Management are working together to review and assess the feasibility of programming at Temple Rome, Temple Japan, exchange institutions and external partners for the spring, summer and fall 2021 semesters.
Program leaders and/or administrators should follow the guidance provided on our Information for Group Leaders or Administrators page regarding the programmatic review process for the 2020-2021 academic year.
Updated December 1, 2020
Department of State Advisories
Bhutan - Level 3: Reconsider Travel
February 16, 2021Reconsider travel to Bhutan due to COVID-19.Read the Department of State’s COVID-19 page before you plan any ... Read more
Senegal - Level 3: Reconsider Travel
February 08, 2021Reconsider travel to Senegal due to COVID-19. Some areas have increased risk. Read the entire Travel Advisory.Read the Department of State’s Read more
Tajikistan - Level 3: Reconsider Travel
November 23, 2020Reconsider travel to Tajikistan due to COVID-19. Exercise increased caution in Tajikistan due to terrorism.Read the Department of State’s Read more
Iceland - Level 3: Reconsider Travel
August 06, 2020Reconsider travel to Iceland due to COVID-19.Read the Department of State’s COVID-19 page before you plan ... Read more
China - Level 3: Reconsider Travel
December 17, 2020Reconsider travel to the People’s Republic of China (PRC), including the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (SAR), due to arbitrary enforcement of local laws.Exercise increased caution in the Hong Kong SAR due to ... Read more
International SOS Alerts
Armenia: Monitor political developments closely, continue to minimise non-essential movement in urban centres until 26 February
February 25, 2021Monitor political developments amid increased tensions and associated anti-government protests. Continue to minimise non-essential movement in urban centres until 26 February. Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan has accused the General Staff of the Armenian military of attempting a 'military ... Read more
United States: College Station (Texas state): Continue to avoid vicinity of Luther Street due to security operation (Revised)
February 25, 2021Continue to avoid the vicinity of Luther Street in College Station (Texas state) in the coming hours due to an ongoing security operation. The police are responding to gunfire that began around 10.00 (local time). While the police have contained the area, it remains an active scene. The suspect has ... Read more
Italy: Rome: Anticipate localised disruption during anti-government demonstration at San Silvestro square on 27 February
February 25, 2021Anticipate localised disruption on 27 February during a planned anti-government protest in the capital Rome. Far-right and far-left groups will rally at 15.00 (local time) at San Silvestro square. A previous related gathering on 18 February passed off peacefully. The police are liable to ... Read more
India: Anticipate disruption, avoid protests during nationwide strike on 26 February
February 25, 2021Avoid all protests and expect disruption during a nationwide shutdown strike on 26 February. The action is being organised by the Confederation of All India Traders (CAIT) over demands to the government to review Goods and Services Tax (GST) provisions. On the same day, the All India ... Read more
Myanmar: Urban centres: Continue to minimise non-essential movement; further protests possible in coming days (Revised)
February 25, 2021Continue to minimise non-essential movement. Further confrontations between anti-military and pro-military protesters or the security forces are possible in the coming days. On 25 February, scuffles between opposing protesters in Yangon (Yangon region) resulted in reported injuries. In ... Read more
Mid East & N Africa: Israel, Palestinian Territories: Abide by official directives, anticipate disruption resulting from border closures during Jewish Holiday
February 25, 2021Abide by official directives and anticipate disruption due to restrictions linked to the Jewish festival of Purim. Israeli authorities will prevent entry to and exit from the West Bank (Palestinian Territories) and seal border crossings with the Gaza Strip (Palestinian Territories) between ... Read more
Guadeloupe (France): Anticipate disruption, avoid protests in coming hours over socio-economic issues
February 25, 2021Anticipate and avoid all demonstrations in the coming hours by professional organisations to demand socio-economic reforms. Related protests occurred on the archipelago on 24 February, during which roadblocks on key roadways, such as Route National 2, 4 and 5, were reported. Further similar ... Read more
Nigeria: Lagos: Anticipate disruption due to bridge closure on 26 February for repair works
February 25, 2021Anticipate disruption in Lagos (Lagos state) on 26 February due to the closure of the Third Mainland Bridge from 00.01 to 23.59 (local time). The bridge will be closed to allow for the removal of all equipment from earlier repair works. Allow additional travel time on the day as significant delays ... Read more
India: West Bengal: Election-related violence underlines need to continue to avoid all political gatherings
February 25, 2021Business travellers in West Bengal statein the coming weeksshould continue to avoid all political gatherings due to the risk of violence. Multiple incidents of political violence, primarily involving activists of the state ruling All India Trinamool Congress (TMC) and the Bharatiya Janata ... Read more
Pakistan: Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province: Attack in North Waziristan district highlights EXTREME risks, need to avoid travel
February 25, 2021Suspected militants of the Islamist extremist Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP, Pakistani Taliban) group killed four NGO workers on 22 February near Mir Ali (North Waziristan district, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province). The security forces on the following day killed a suspected militant ... Read more
Center for Disease Control Travel Notices
Warning - Ebola in Democratic Republic of the Congo
February 24, 2021There is an outbreak of Ebola in the North Kivu (Kivu Nord) province in the eastern part of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC). Travelers to this area could be infected with Ebola if they come in contact with an infected person’s blood or other body fluids. ... Read more
Warning - Ebola in Guinea
February 24, 2021There is an outbreak of Ebola in N’Zérékoré Prefecture of Guinea. Travelers to this area could be infected with Ebola if they come in contact with an infected person’s blood or other body fluids. ... Read more
COVID-19 Unknown - COVID-19 in Eritrea
February 22, 2021Travelers should avoid all travel to Eritrea. ... Read more
COVID-19 High - COVID-19 in Benin
February 22, 2021Travelers should avoid all nonessential travel to Benin. ... Read more
COVID-19 High - COVID-19 in Chad
February 22, 2021Travelers should avoid all nonessential travel to Chad. ... Read more
