Travel Policies
As COVID-19 conditions continue to improve, restrictions on university related domestic travel previously issued by the UNC System Office have been rescinded. University personnel should continue to follow the latest CDC guidance on domestic travel
Due to the severity of COVID-19 conditions in some international destinations, foreign travel remains restricted to travel approved by the Chancellor upon determination that the foreign travel is essential for academic research or university business. In the limited instances where foreign travel is approved, university personnel should continue to follow the latest CDC guidance on international travel.
All exceptions for faculty and researchers to travel internationally on university business must be pre-approved by the Chancellor with a favorable recommendation from the appropriate academic Dean or Director of an Institute or Center.
All exceptions for administrative staff and athletics events to travel internationally must be pre-approved by the Chancellor with a favorable recommendation from an appropriate Vice Chancellor or the Athletics Director.
For athletic events, relevant guidance issued by the NCAA and MEAC are considered.
All exceptions for students and student organizations to travel internationally on university business or to satisfy academic requirements must be pre-approved by the Chancellor with a recommendation from the Office of Student Affairs.
The types international travel that may qualify for an exception include:
- Travel intended to assist in the assessment of, treatment for, or research relating to, COVID-19 or other critical health care issues.
- Travel relating to the University’s legal, risk management, or emergency response efforts relating to COVID-19.
- Travel required to assure the continued operations of the University in response to COVID-19.
- Travel that is necessary and time-sensitive to preserve the safety of a research subject or the results of a substantial and ongoing research activity.
- Travel that is required to complete a grant or award requirement or deliverable for which the failure to perform will substantially jeopardize the continuation of grant or award.
- Travel to appear in any legal, judicial, or regulatory proceeding on behalf of the University as a party, a witness, or as necessary to assist the University in the proceeding.
- Travel that is necessary to meet a requirement for graduation this semester, that cannot otherwise be postponed, and for which the failure to travel could result in the failure to receive a degree at the end of the semester.
- Travel that is part of a University-sponsored academic or athletic program that has been pre-approved by the Chancellor and subject to any necessary or appropriate requirements or conditions.
Info Accordions
You can check travel requirements by zip code for US destinations to become aware of testing and quarantine requirements for each location.
Fully Vaccinated Persons
People who are fully vaccinated with an FDA-authorized vaccine can travel safely within the United States and take the following steps to protect others.
- During Travel
- Face masks are required on planes, buses, trains, and other forms of public transportation traveling into, within, or out of the United States and in U.S. transportation hubs such as airports and stations.
- Wash your hands often or use hand sanitizer.
- After Travel
- Self-monitor for COVID-19 symptoms; isolate and get tested if you develop symptoms.
Non-Vaccinated Travelers
If you are not fully vaccinated and must travel, take the following steps to protect yourself and others from COVID-19:
- Before you travel:
- Get tested with a viral test 1-3 days before your trip.
- While you are traveling:
- Masks are required on planes, buses, trains, and other forms of public transportation traveling into, within, or out of the United States and in U.S. transportation hubs such as airports and stations.
- Avoid crowds and stay at least 6 feet from anyone who is not traveling with you.
- Wash your hands often or use hand sanitizer.
- After you travel:
- Self-quarantine for a full 7 days after travel.
- Get tested with a viral test 3-5 days after travel.
- Even if you test negative, stay home and self-quarantine for the full 7 days.
- If your test is positive, isolate yourself to protect others from getting infected.
- If you don’t get tested, stay home and self-quarantine for 10 days after travel.
- Self-monitor for COVID-19 symptoms; isolate and get tested if you develop symptoms.
Domestic Travel Requirements
Requirement | Not Vaccinated or Partially Vaccinated | Fully Vaccinated |
Get a viral test 1-3 days before trip. | X | |
Wear a face mask, distance and wash hands often. | X | X |
Quarantine for 7 days and test 3-5 days after returning OR Quarantine for 10 days without test. | X | |
Self-monitor for symptoms for 14 days. | X | X |
Vaccinated Travelers
The COVID-19 situation, including the spread of new or concerning variants differs from country to country, and even fully vaccinated travelers need to pay close attention to the situation at their destination before traveling.
All international travelers must submit travel details using the International Travel Form prior to departing. This submission requires that you check the CDC risk level for the destination and determine the current risk level for the destination country and any other countries you may be visiting or that are part of your travel itinerary (i.e., layovers, change-of-plane, etc.).
- Before you travel
- Check the current COVID-19 situation in your destination.
- While you are traveling:
- Masks are required on planes, buses, trains, and other forms of public transportation traveling into, within, or out of the United States and in U.S. transportation hubs such as airports and stations.
- Avoid crowds and stay at least 6 feet from anyone who is not traveling with you.
- Wash your hands often or use hand sanitizer.
- Before you return to the United States:
- All air passengers coming to the United States, including U.S. citizens and fully vaccinated people, are required by the CDC and airlines to have a negative COVID-19 test result no more than 3 days before travel or documentation of recovery from COVID-19 in the past 3 months before they board a flight to the United States.
- After travel:
- Get tested with a viral test 3-5 days after travel.
- Self-monitor for COVID-19 symptoms; isolate and get tested if you develop symptoms.
Unvaccinated Travelers
The CDC recommends delaying international travel until you are able to get fully vaccinated. If you are not fully vaccinated and must travel, take additional steps to protect yourself and others from COVID-19.
- Before you travel:
- Check the COVID-19 situation in your destination.
- Get tested with a viral test 1-3 days before your trip.
- While you are traveling:
- Masks are required on planes, buses, trains, and other forms of public transportation traveling into, within, or out of the United States and in U.S. transportation hubs such as airports and stations.
- Avoid crowds and stay at least 6 feet from anyone who is not traveling with you.
- Wash your hands often or use hand sanitizer.
- Before you return to the United States:
- All air passengers coming to the United States, including U.S. citizens and fully vaccinated people, are required by the CDC and airlines to have a negative COVID-19 test result no more than 3 days before travel or documentation of recovery from COVID-19 in the past 3 months before they board a flight to the United States.
- After you travel:
- Get tested with a viral test 3-5 days after travel AND stay home and self-quarantine for a full 7 days after travel.
- Even if you test negative, stay home and self-quarantine for the full 7 days.
- If your test is positive, isolate yourself to protect others from getting infected.
- If you don’t get tested, stay home and self-quarantine for 10 days after travel.
- Self-monitor for COVID-19 symptoms; isolate and get tested if you develop symptoms.
- Get tested with a viral test 3-5 days after travel AND stay home and self-quarantine for a full 7 days after travel.
International Travel Requirements
Requirement | Not Vaccinated or Partially Vaccinated | Fully Vaccinated |
Get a viral test 1-3 days before trip. | X | |
Wear a face mask, distance and wash hands often. | X | X |
Mandatory test required before flying to the U.S. | X | X |
Quarantine for 7 days after returning OR Quarantine for 10 days without test. | X | |
Get viral test 3-5 days after travel. | X | X |
Self-monitor for symptoms for 14 days. | X | X |