1. How is the University of Michigan monitoring the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) situation worldwide?

• The LSATravel office works closely with U-M’s International Travel Oversight Committee (ITOC), who monitors guidance from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the U.S. Department of State, the World Health Organization (WHO) and a number of other national and international public health organizations. 

• For more information about U-M’s stance on travel, please visit the Global Michigan website and the FAQ specifically dedicated to international travel.

2. How are U-M Travel Designations determined?

The International Travel Oversight Committee reviews U-M Travel destinations on an iterative basis using a variety of sources, including: US Department of State Travel Advisories, CDC Travel Notices, CDC COVID-19 risk levels, other non-U.S. government advisories, and U-M’s assistance provider’s risk ratings.  

• Any updates to U-M Travel Designations will be posted on the Global Michigan website. 

• NOTE: U-M Travel Designations only take into account health and safety conditions, not entry requirements. Travelers must verify their ability to enter a country before planning travel.

4. Do I need to have received the COVID vaccine to travel with U-M?

• Students who are traveling internationally on a U-M managed program are required to have an authorized COVID-19 vaccination and complete the “Student COVID-19 Vaccination Self-Report Form” in Wolverine Access before traveling abroad unless they have an approved exemption. A chart from Global Michigan details the full requirements of this policy. 

• Students not traveling on U-M managed programs are strongly recommended to receive the COVID-19 vaccine prior to departure. Certain countries may require vaccination to be able to travel to the country.

• Students with questions should visit the Global Michigan page for more information on the University policy on COVID-19 vaccination.

1. What is the definition of U-M Related Business?

• U-M Related Business/Travel (UMRT), as defined for students, encompasses five kinds of travel. Only one criteria needs to be met for a student to be considered on UMRT. A student is engaging in UMRT if they:

  1. Receive U-M in-residence credit for the experience.

  2. Travel on a program or trip that is U-M Managed or Organized.

  3. Participate in a travel abroad experience that is necessary to achieve a degree requirement. This could include experiences such as degree milestones, dissertation field research, practica, internships, etc.

  4. Travel on a program or trip organized by a Sponsored Student Organization or a program or trip that is formally sanctioned by a U-M unit as a Sponsored Event.

  5. Receive funding from a U-M unit or receives funds managed by the U-M for their travel. As stewards of U-M resources, we do not give funds for purposes that are not U-M related.

2. Whom will LSATravel contact with updates relating to future international travel?

• LSATravel will contact students which faculty/staff have indicated to us have been selected to receive travel funding and/or are embarking on an LSA-sponsored program. LSATravel will contact these individuals if and when updates are available. 

3. I received funding from U-M for my travel but I need to defer my funding due to COVID-19 safety concerns and/or travel restrictions. Can I defer my funding award?

• Please contact the department who awarded your funding to see their policies about funding deferrals. Alert the LSATravel office of your updated travel timeline once available.

1. How can I determine entry requirements for my host country?

• Entry requirements in countries around the world have changed throughout the pandemic. These changes may look like:
  • Restrictions on who can enter the country based on nationality/citizenship, country departing from and the kind of travel being undertaken (personal, study, business, etc.)
  • New/altered entry forms required by the country
  • Mandatory COVID-19 testing before and/or after arrival in the country
  • Mandatory quarantine periods upon arrival

• Travelers who do not follow entry requirements may not be allowed to enter the country and are subject to the host country laws, rules, and regulations. 

2. Is there emergency funding available in the case of unanticipated travel disruptions?

• U-M Office of Financial Aid and the Dean of Students Office have limited to no emergency funds at this time. 
• Students must ensure that they have emergency funds while traveling during the pandemic, whether personal funds or verified emergency funds from a student’s U-M department that can be used for unexpected costs.
• Potential emergency funding situations to consider:
  • Pre-departure flight cancellations in the event the COVID-19 situation in the destination country deteriorates.
  • Early departure from the destination country in the event the COVID-19 situation in the destination country deteriorates. Please note that last minute flights or repatriation flights are expensive and can cost in excess of 3000 USD.
  • Living costs associated with being in-country longer than intended in the event of border / airport closures or not meeting exit requirements, such as testing positive for COVID-19 before departure.
  • COVID-19 related costs, including quarantine costs, testing, etc.
    

1. I am traveling abroad for personal reasons. Do I need to register my travel with U-M? Can I purchase international health insurance coverage?

• Please ensure that your travel is not considered University of Michigan Related Travel (UM-RT), as this kind of travel has specific requriements prior to departure.
• Students wishing to travel internationally for personal reasons that are not UMRT 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.
• Students who do choose to travel must follow any guidelines for returning to campus, such as practicing enhanced socially distancing before engaging in in-person activities on campus, if required. See Campus Maize & Blueprint for updated guidance.
• We recommend registering your travel with U-M
• While not required, we strongly encourage all students traveling internationally to register their travel in M-Compass. International Travel Insurance (GeoBlue) can be purchased for $1.57/day, even for personal travel.

2. Who can I contact about study abroad and the coronavirus situation?

• Students should email the LSATravel team at LSATrave@umich.edu 

• Members of the media should contact U-M Office of Public Affairs

• U.S. Department of State COVID-19 Country Specific Information
• Travel and Social Impact Tracker (Deloitte)
• Global COVID-19 Trends from Johns Hopkins University
• European Center for Disease Control and Prevention
• World Health Organization
• International Air Transport Association
• DTW COVID-19 Updates
• Transportation Security Authority Updates on Covid-19
• Conlin Travel: Blue Skies Ahead
• Flying Was Once Routine. During the Pandemic, It’s a Feat.
• Where Can US Citizens Travel to During the Coronavirus Pandemic
• The Future of Travel