High Risk Travel – COVID-19

As of October 3, 2022, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has suspended its country-specific COVID-19 travel advisories. According to the CDC, a COVID-19 notice will be posted for a country only if there is a concerning variant or other situation that would merit concern.

This means that the vast majority of university-supported travelers will no longer be classified as high-risk travelers and will not need to request an exemption to the university’s policy on global travel.

Virginia Tech Policy 1070: Global Travel Policy does not authorize university-supported global travel to locations where the CDC has issued a Travel Health Notice Level 3 or higher. Amid the pandemic, most countries were considered Level 3, with a “high level of COVID-19.” That meant students and other university travelers had to petition the Global Travel Oversight Committee for an exception to the policy.

The CDC still recommends that all travelers stay up to date with COVID-19 vaccines before traveling.

Policy 1070 also does not authorize student university-supported international travel to locations where the U.S. Department of State has issued a Travel Advisory Level 3 or higher. Travelers to destinations still deemed “high risk” can continue to request an exception by following the Procedure to Request an Exception to Policy – International Travel.

Please contact Global Travel Safety at vtglobalsafety@vt.edu or 540-231-2867 with any questions.