Category: Messages to the Community

Title: Updated University Travel Guidance for Students

Dear Georgetown Students,

As spring break approaches, we are writing to provide an update regarding the coronavirus outbreak and to share additional guidance on international travel.

On January 28, Georgetown issued a temporary moratorium on all university-sponsored and university-related travel for students, faculty and staff to China. Today, we are adding South Korea to this temporary moratorium following the U.S. Centers for Disease Control’s elevated advisory level. We are in contact with Georgetown community members currently in South Korea and are assisting them in making arrangements to travel home or return to Georgetown University, as appropriate.

While Georgetown has not prohibited university-sponsored or related international travel to any country other than China and South Korea due to COVID-19, the situation continues to be very fluid. The CDC has recently elevated the advisory level for South Korea to Level 3 (Avoid Non-Essential Travel) and elevated advisory levels for Italy (Level 2 – Practice Enhanced Precautions) and Japan (Level 2 – Practice Enhanced Precautions). The uncertainties surrounding the coronavirus have made travel to countries with extensive interactions with locations severely affected by COVID-19 more risky. We urge students to stay informed and abide by U.S. government guidance from the U.S. Centers for Disease ControlU.S. Department of State and International SOS.

If you are planning personal travel to an international destination, we highly recommend that you be mindful of potential associated risk of disruptions to your reentry to the United States and your ability to successfully complete the semester. We urge you to consult guidance from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and U.S. Department of State prior to and during your trip and exercise caution when traveling to countries with Level 2 travel advisories and reconsider travel to countries with Level 3 travel advisories.

Georgetown will continue to monitor the situation as the outbreak progresses. You can find university updates, answers to frequently asked questions and other university resources related to coronavirus on the Georgetown University website.

Please remember that all international travel supported by or related to the university must adhere to Georgetown’s International Travel Policy. According to the policy, all Main Campus and Medical Center undergraduate and graduate planning university-related or sponsored travel abroad must complete the International Travel Authorization process. Law Center students must complete a separate process for travel approval through the Office of Transnational Programs.

We strongly suggest that U.S. citizens register travel through the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP), a free service to allow U.S. citizens and nationals traveling and living abroad to enroll their trip with the nearest U.S. embassy or consulate and receive important information from the embassy about safety conditions in your destination country. Registration allows you to be easily located by embassy personnel in the event of an emergency.

In addition to adhering to the university travel policy, students can refer to the Office of Global Services and the U.S. Department of State for tips to stay safe while traveling abroad.

We wish you safe travels and a restful spring break.

Sincerely,

Robert M. Groves, Provost

Edward B. Healton, Executive Vice President for Health Sciences & Executive Dean of the School of Medicine

William M. Treanor, Executive Vice President & Dean of the Law Center