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 International Travel Guidance

Temple University has suspended all non-essential international business travel for the fall 2020 semester. 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 semester. 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 the fall of 2020, 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 or Summer 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 2021 semester.

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 November 13, 2020

Department of State Advisories

International SOS Alerts

  • Guadeloupe (France): Dengue outbreak

    November 27, 2020

    Latest update: epidemic continues to progress. Dengue cases continue to be reported in Guadeloupe. The disease is spread mainly by mosquito bites. It can cause a range of symptoms including fever, headache and a rash. Some people, especially infants, pregnant women and those who have been ... Read more

  • Congo: COVID-19: Continue to abide by official directives following tightening of internal restrictions

    November 27, 2020

    Members in Congo should continue to abide by official directives following the tightening of COVID-19-related restrictions amid a state of emergency until at least 16 December. The nightly curfew in the capital Brazzaville and Pointe-Noire (Pointe-Noire department) has been amended to 23.00 ... Read more

  • Somalia: Polio cases

    November 27, 2020

    Latest update: further cases reported, more regions affected. Circulating vaccine-derived poliovirus type 2 (cVDPV2) cases have been detected in multiple locations. cVDPV strains can emerge in under-vaccinated populations. Travellers are recommended to be fully immunised against polio ... Read more

  • Sudan: Polio outbreak

    November 27, 2020

    Latest update: further cases reported. Cases of circulating vaccine-derived poliovirus type 2 (cVDPV2) have been detected in more than 10 states, the first cases reported since 2009. Additionally, poliovirus has been found in environmental samples in several states. Polio is a contagious ... Read more

  • South Sudan: Polio cases

    November 27, 2020

    Latest update: Further cases reported, new affected areas. Cases of circulating vaccine-derived poliovirus type 2 (cVDPV2) have been detected in a few states. Polio is a contagious viral illness that can cause paralysis and death. It is spread through contaminated food or water, or directly ... Read more

  • Côte d'Ivoire: Polio Outbreak

    November 27, 2020

    Latest update: ongoing cases identified, new regions affected. Cases of circulating vaccine-derived poliovirus type 2 (cVDPV2) have been reported across several districts. Polio is a contagious viral illness that can cause paralysis and death. It is spread through contaminated food or ... Read more

  • Saudi Arabia: Jeddah: Cross-border attack on oil facility highlights persistent risks, need to exercise caution around potential targets (Revised)

    November 27, 2020

    The authorities on 23 November confirmed that the Yemen-based Houthi rebel group launched a projectile towards an oil facility in Jeddah (Mecca province). The attack caused a fire at a fuel tank at around 03.50 (local time), though no casualties were reported. Earlier in the day, the Houthis ... Read more

  • Burkina Faso: Polio outbreak

    November 27, 2020

    Latest Update: Additional cases reported. Several cases of polio have been reported in multiple locations. Polio is a contagious viral illness that can cause paralysis and death. It is spread through contaminated food or water, or directly from an infected person. The circulating ... Read more

  • Italy: Sardinia region: Plan journeys accounting for disruption related to adverse weather conditions

    November 27, 2020

    Members in Sardinia region on 27 November should plan journeys accounting for potential disruption due to forecast adverse weather conditions. The Civil Protection has issued a red alert (highest on a four-tier scale) for Sardinia due to the risk of thunderstorms, strong wind, heavy rain and ... Read more

  • Guinea-Bissau: Bissau: Reconfirm flights amid ongoing indefinite strike by airport staff; monitor developments

    November 27, 2020

    Members due to travel via the capital Bissau’s Osvaldo Vieira International Airport (OXB) in the coming days should monitor developments and reconfirm flights due to an ongoing strike by airport workers. Airport ground staff will remain on strike until further notice over unpaid wages. ... Read more

Center for Disease Control Travel Notices