With the 2021-2022 academic year, Temple will be resuming international travel, however approval must be received prior to booking international travel.
Faculty, staff, students, or other members of the Temple Community traveling on their own should review the process for individual travelers.
Individuals organizing group travel should review the process for group travel.
Students participating in a Temple Branded program or through Education Abroad should be in contact with their program leader or administrator.
CAN STUDENT ORGANIZATIONS TRAVEL AT THIS TIME?
Registered Student Organizations - with either Student Activities or their School/College - and any student traveling on Temple Affiliated International Travel must follow the International Travel Policy. Details for international group travel are available on the Information for Group Leaders page.
The International Travel Policy defines Temple Affiliated International Travel.
In light of the city’s vaccination mandate for the University as well as the worsening conditions of the pandemic due to COVID-19, the COVID-19 vaccine will be required for any University-affiliated international travel.
Individuals with an approved religious or medical exemption will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis. Consideration will be given, but not limited to, circumstances on the ground in the destination country and current/anticipated travel conditions. The effective date of this requirement is October 15.
Please note that approval is required for traveling abroad for Temple Affiliated International travel. Temple does not prohibit personal travel, though any travel during COVID-19 should be carefully considered.
Individuals wishing to travel internationally for personal reasons that are not Temple Affiliated should consider the wide range of risks, including health risks, financial risks, academic risks, visa and entry restrictions, and the possibility of being stuck in-country for an indefinite period of time because of airport closures or entry/exit restrictions.
Individuals who do choose to travel should follow the guidance issued by the Centers for Disease Control around returning from travel. Upon their return, individuals may schedule COVID-19 testing appointments with Student Health Services.
International Risk Management and the Elevated/High Risk Committee are responsible for defining heightened risk travel for the Temple community. For the 2021-2022 academic year, the Committee will review all requests to travel to these regions.
The Elevated/High Risk Committee will review all travel for elevated or high risk destinations. The Elevated/High Risk Committee is comprised of members from across the University community, specifically Education Abroad & Overseas Campuses, Risk Management, the office of the Provost, University Legal Counsel, and Employee Health Services. The Committee will consult with external and campus experts on specific requests as needed. The Committee is committed to reviewing travel to elevated or high risk destinations on a rolling basis. International Risk Management will be in touch with travelers regarding updates and if additional information is needed.
The safety of Temple travelers is a priority. International Risk Management will continue to monitor locations where travel approval has been granted. In the event the risk level changes and/or the health environment deteriorates, the University reserves the right to rescind authorization or revise the conditions of travel.
Because COVID-19 pandemic is a well documented event and is considered a “known risk” by the insurance underwriters, Temple’s International Travel Medical Insurance and International SOS do not cover the cost of a return flight because of a COVID-19 outbreak. Similarly, Temple University will not cover the cost of flight change fees or new return flights for travelers who choose to go abroad during COVID-19. Faculty, staff, and students willing to travel during COVID-19 must ensure that they are able to cover the costs of travel if they need to return to their home country earlier than expected. Faculty, staff, and students who are not able, or not comfortable with, covering potential travel expenses due to COVID-19 should not travel. These possible expenses include return flights and costs associated with having to stay in-country for an indefinite period of time because of border closures.
Temple’s International Travel Medical Insurance benefits will cover most medical issues, including medically necessary COVID-19 testing and treatment, visiting a hospital or clinic because of illness, and many other medical issues. Temple’s International Travel Medical Insurance also covers evacuations for certain political crises and natural disasters. Temple’s International Travel Medical Insurance does not cover COVID-19 testing for asymptomatic individuals, travel vaccinations, or other costs associated with traveling unless listed in the Summary of Benefits. Details on the International Travel Medical Insurance are available on the International SOS page.
