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Updated Penn State Health and College of Medicine travel policy offers employees new guidance

Some areas of the U.S. are experiencing spikes in the number of reported COVID-19 cases. In addition, some states (including Pennsylvania) have recently recommended that residents self-quarantine for as long as 14 days when returning from identified states.

At this time, we are not implementing specific quarantine rules for travelers returning from locations within the U.S., however employees must practice the safety measures below when traveling to areas identified as “hot spots.”

In addition, the travel and quarantine policy has been updated with processes regarding specific scenarios where asymptomatic employees have access to COVID-19 testing at the employees’ request through Employee Health.

Safety measures and guidelines with regard to travel:

    • Practice essential health and safety protocols including social distancing (maintaining at least six feet from others), wear a mask in public places, frequently wash/sanitize your hands and avoid facial touching.
    • Avoid, if at all possible, traveling to areas deemed “hot spots” where cases are increasing. An up to date list of these “hot spots” as designated by PA Department of Health can be found here.  An additional link for “hot spots” can be found here.
      Avoid large-group activities (more than 25 individuals) but if this is unavoidable, practice essential health and safety protocols described above.
    • Avoid public places, especially indoor restaurants and bars, and other events that do not adhere to social distancing or enforce universal masking.
    • Monitor yourself daily for changes in your health and symptoms of COVID-19, including cough, fever, shortness of breath, sore throat, or new loss of taste or smell, and body aches.
      Avoid contact with anyone exhibiting COVID-19-like symptoms or who is positive or suspected to have COVID-19.

Employees must continue to discuss personal international and domestic travel plans, including cruises, with their manager or supervisor before departure and again after return, prior to returning to work. Employees must also confirm with their manager or supervisor that they have met the standards outlined above for domestic travel prior to returning to work.

The travel and quarantine policy has been updated to include this information.

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