travelnews: UO Essential Business Travel Update as of May 24

Tue May 25 12:32:05 PDT 2021

To UO Travelers and Delegates:
All non-essential university travel, both international and domestic is suspended as of March 15, 2020.
UPDATES as of 05/24/2021:
As of May 7, 2021, the Oregon Health Authority travel guidance reads: Residents of Oregon should, but are not required to: Stay home or in their region and avoid non-essential travel to other states or countries. The University's suspension of travel will remain in place for the time being. An exemption process is available and will evaluate the risk of the mode of travel and the activities engaged in at the destination. As of May 24, 2021, the authorization for travel approval will move from the Travel Advisory Group (TAG) to departments.  Starting May 24, 2021 departments may recommend travel deemed essential based on the following definition:
International or domestic travel may be deemed "essential" only when the travel demonstrably and significantly advances one or more of the following:

  *     maintenance of critical business functions;
  *     continuity of grant funding or completion of grant-required activities and deadlines;
  *     ability to meet contract deliverable requirements;
  *     timely and critical research and scholarship opportunities; and
  *     Continuity in academic progress, degree completion, or graduation.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) provides a COVID specific travel advisory system<https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/travelers/map-and-travel-notices.html> that includes 4 risk levels. The University will not approve travel to a country listed in the Level 4: COVID-19 Very High risk category without an exception granted by the Office of the Provost. Please note that these advisories can change or fluctuate and a destination may turn to a Level 4 between requesting the trip and your departure date. The University will require the trip to be cancelled or postponed should the risk level for the destination country increase to a Level 4 between request and departure.

Travelers will continue to use the travel waiver form and acknowledgment of risk form and submit a Request within Concur. Domestic travel booked without an approved exemption will NOT be eligible for reimbursement.  International trips booked without an approved exemption will NOT be eligible for reimbursement nor coverage under the UO's International Supplemental Travel insurance policy.

Travel waivers<https://app.smartsheet.com/b/form/33d3e09d9195481fa6d39c6e55abef78> are required for all UO Essential Business travel outside of a traveler's county limits.  Travelers who live outside of Lane County and are traveling to a county where a UO campus is located will not need to fill out a travel waiver<https://app.smartsheet.com/b/form/33d3e09d9195481fa6d39c6e55abef78>.  However, a Concur Request is always required for all UO Business Travel.

More information:

  *   See COVID-19 Travel Information for steps to request UO essential business travel:  https://ba.uoregon.edu/travel/university-related-travel
  *   UO Coronavirus Information: https://coronavirus.uoregon.edu/
Thank you,

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Laurie Jacoby
Travel Manager
Business Affairs Office
University of Oregon
lajacoby at uoregon.edu<mailto:lajacoby at uoregon.edu>
541-346-3158
**  If your travel involves human subjects research, please do not disclose any information that is protected under UO Policy and other Regulations http://rcs.uoregon.edu/content/regulations-and-uo-policy

Travel Office/Concur Help Desk:     Phone:  6-3100 ***  Email:  travel at uoregon.edu<mailto:travel at uoregon.edu>

TravelNews Opt In for Travel and Concur tips:   https://lists-prod.uoregon.edu/mailman/listinfo/travelnews

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