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Guidance For ACU Related Travel

Travel can increase the opportunity for the transmission of COVID-19, therefore ACU continues to provide guidance for university-related travel. Additionally, all travelers and travel organizers must prepare contingency plans for all trips.

Study Abroad

Based on our review of the current context and situation, including current COVID-19 case trajectory and overall COVID-19 impact on the health, safety, economic and general social conditions at ACU’s locations in Germany and the UK, ACU will offer Study Abroad opportunities to Leipzig, Germany and Oxford, England during Spring 2022. Participants in these programs are required to be up to date with COVID-19 vaccinations and will be subject to the COVID-19 protocols of the host country. We will continue to monitor the situation and make adjustments to our plan accordingly.

Domestic Travel (including in-state travel)

Fully vaccinated travelers

Individuals should make travel plans and personal health decisions based on CDC guidance. The following guidance is specific to ACU:

  • Before you travel:
    • Student travelers must sign the Assumption of Risk Release and Indemnification Agreement (field trip waiver) and are responsible for potential expenses related to quarantine and isolation periods.
    • Delay travel until you are fully vaccinated.
    • Check your destination’s COVID-19 situation before traveling. State, local, and territorial governments may have travel restrictions in place.
    • Do not travel if you have been exposed to COVID-19, you are sick, or if you test positive for COVID-19.
    • If you are not fully vaccinated and must travel, get tested both before and after your trip.
  • During travel:
    • It is at the discretion of the travel organizer whether travelers are required to wear masks while traveling. Wearing a mask is required on planes, buses, trains, and other forms of public transportation traveling into, within or out of the U.S. and in U.S. transportation hubs such as airports and stations. Wear a mask over your nose and mouth.
    • Follow all state, local, and host destination recommendations and requirements, including mask wearing and social distancing.
  •   After travel:
    • Self-monitor for COVID-19 symptoms; isolate and get tested if you develop symptoms.
    • Follow all state and local recommendations or requirements.

Unvaccinated travelers

Individuals should make travel plans and personal health decisions based on CDC guidance. The following guidance is specific to ACU: 

  • Before you travel:
  • During travel:
    • It is at the discretion of the travel organizer whether travelers are required to wear masks while traveling. If required, wear a mask over your nose and mouth when you are inside a vehicle with other travelers. Wearing a mask is required on planes, buses, trains, and other forms of public transportation traveling into, within, or out of the U.S. and in U.S. transportation hubs such as airports and stations.
    • Avoid crowds and stay at least six feet from anyone who is not traveling with you. 
    • If a traveler becomes ill and tests positive for COVID-19 while on the trip, that person will be required to isolate and all exposed unvaccinated travelers will be required to quarantine. These travelers will incur the cost of isolation or quarantine. All travelers must prepare contingency plans.
    • Follow all state, local, and host destination recommendations and requirements, including mask wearing and social distancing.
  • After travel:
    • Self-monitor for COVID-19 symptoms; isolate and get tested if you develop symptoms. If you are not fully vaccinated and must travel, get tested both before and after your trip.
    • Follow all state and local recommendations or requirements.

Travel Planning

When organizing university-related vehicle travel, please comply with the University Driver Policy and consider the following important information before driving with passengers for university activity:

  • For ACU owned vehicles, personal vehicles, and ACU rentals, it is at the discretion of the travel organizer whether travelers are required to wear masks while traveling.
  • Face masks or any PPE used in vehicles must not interfere with the ability of the driver to operate the vehicle safely.
  • Improve ventilation in the vehicle by opening windows or setting the ventilation on non-recirculation mode.
  • Vehicles must be cleaned and disinfected on a regular basis. At a minimum, disinfect commonly touched surfaces, such as door handles, in the vehicle at the beginning and end of each trip.
  • Students who drive their personal vehicles are responsible for their expenses (no mileage reimbursement) and liability.

International Travel

Only international travel essential to the mission will be permitted at the discretion of the Provost or Health Response Team (HRT). All travel must be routed through Concur for Risk Management’s review and risk mitigation. For approved travel, travelers should determine whether self-quarantine and/or COVID-19 testing will be required for the destination or upon return to the United States, and they should make appropriate contingency plans. All international travelers are required to be up to date with COVID-19 vaccines. Additionally, face masks over your nose and mouth are required on planes, buses, trains, and other forms of public transportation traveling into, within, or out of the U.S. and in U.S. transportation hubs such as airports and stations. Follow all state and local recommendations and requirements, including mask wearing and social distancing.

CDC provides travel notices and makes recommendations on postponing or canceling travel. These are based on an assessment of the potential health risks involved with traveling to a certain area. A list of destinations with travel notices is available on the CDC website travel page.

You may find the following resources helpful:

  • Contact the Office of Institutional Compliance and Risk Management at risk@acu.edu or 325-674-6142 with general questions;
  • Contact the Travel Office at 325-674-2774 or travel@acu.edu for Concur-related questions;
  • When canceling a trip, if travel arrangements were made via Concur, you can contact Corporate Travel Planners (CTP) directly by calling 877-727-5188 or by email online@ctptravelservices.com;
  • Contact the travel vendor directly to cancel trips booked outside of Concur.