Dear U-M Community Member,

As we come to an end of a successful in-person academic year and approach the summer travel season, we wanted to provide important guidance and tips for those planning to travel abroad during Summer 2022. 

Before You Travel Abroad

• Get vaccinated or get a COVID-19 booster shot wherever available to you. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention does not recommend traveling internationally until you are up to date with your COVID-19 vaccine. 
• Register your travel with the U-M. The purpose of the U-M Travel Registry is to locate U-M travelers quickly and accurately in case of an emergency. Students who have been accepted to U-M study abroad programs through M-Compass are already registered and need not register again.
• Verify you meet the entry requirements for your travel destination(s), and for all flight transfer locations. Entry requirements can change at any time and may include showing proof of a specific type of negative COVID-19 test, showing proof of being vaccinated, completing passenger locator forms, and possibly quarantining upon arrival. Visit the U.S. Embassy COVID-19 Information page of your destination(s) which provides an overview of requirements and links to the host country’s entry requirement websites. 
• Identify suitable COVID-19 testing before travel. Travelers should schedule COVID-19 testing that meets the timetable and testing type requirement of their destination. Travelers should consider the time a testing site is open (including holidays and weekends), as well as the timeframe to receive their test results. To locate suitable testing sites, visit the University Health Service COVID-19 Testing for International Travelers page, which recommends appropriate testing through UHS, or visit the Washtenaw County and the Michigan statewide websites. Testing through the Community Sampling and Tracking Program may also be an option for some travelers.   
• Take masks and rapid tests with you: Free, rapid at-home antigen COVID-19 tests and KN95 masks are available on campus by presenting an M-Card at select campus testing sites (Palmer Commons, Pierpont Commons, Ross and the 1310 N University Ct building). More information on how to obtain a rapid test elsewhere is available on Campus Blueprint. 
• Ensure you are covered by U-M’s Travel Abroad Health Insurance, GeoBlue. Faculty and staff traveling internationally for U-M Related Travel are covered under the university’s blanket travel abroad health insurance policy with Worldwide GeoBlue (Business Plan). Faculty and staff may access an insurance card after registering travel on the U-M Travel Registry and then can register to use the GeoBlue Member Website.

Students traveling for U-M Related Travel must have GeoBlue for the duration of travel. Students on U-M managed study abroad programs should check with their study abroad advisor to see whether their program or department is purchasing the insurance on their behalf. Otherwise, students may purchase travel abroad health insurance individually.

For international personal/leisure travel, all students, faculty and staff can individually purchase Worldwide GeoBlue (Leisure Plan). 

While GeoBlue is a first-rate health insurance plan, it is not travel insurance and has limited coverage for travel disruptions and quarantine costs. See GeoBlue & COVID-19: What To Know Before You Travel for details. 

• Review the Considerations for Planning International Travel During COVID-19 document.

Returning to the U.S.

• Follow CDC guidelines for returning to the U.S. from abroad. At this time, all travelers flying to the U.S. will need to have proof of a negative COVID-19 test or documentation of recovery from COVID-19 no more than 1 day  before you travel by air into the United States. The CDC Travel Assessment has more information about what you will need to board a flight to the U.S. The CDC has also posted a Test and Vaccination Documentation Requirements FAQ with detailed information about acceptable tests. Visit the U.S. Embassy COVID-19 Information page of your destination for testing sites abroad. 
• If you are an international student, scholar, or employee at U-M (i.e. not a U.S. citizen or permanent resident), in addition to having a negative COVID-19 test, you also are required to show proof of being up to date with COVID-19 vaccinations before you travel by air to the United States. Details about pre-departure testing timelines and other announcements are on the U-M International Center website. More information about what you will need to board a flight to the U.S. can be found on the CDC Travel Assessment.
• Be prepared for travel disruptions. If a traveler tests positive for COVID-19 before boarding their return flight (or at any other time while abroad), they will be required to quarantine according to that country’s local public health guidelines. 

Travelers should develop financial contingency plans for travel disruptions and should prepare to be flexible, since staying abroad longer than expected may impact their ability to meet academic, work, or other obligations in the U.S.  

• Follow best practices for remaining healthy while traveling and returning to campus. See the CDC How to Protect Yourself & Others for details. These include: 

  • Wear a face covering when around others and in indoor settings.
  • Keep a physical distance of 6 feet between you and others, when possible.
  • Monitor your health daily and seek care if feeling sick.
  • Wash your hands frequently and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces.

We wish you a safe and healthy journey wherever your travels may take you.

Sincerely,

Valeria Bertacco

Vice Provost for Engaged Learning

Office of the Provost

Robert Ernst

Associate Vice President for Student Life 

Director of Campus COVID Response

Patrick Morgan

Chief International Travel Safety Officer

Office of the Provost