11.20.20: NEW Travel Protocols for Graduate Students

A message to graduate students

NEW Travel Protocols for Graduate Students

Dear graduate students,

We are writing to provide an update to the Return to Campus Protocol and changes to the requirements specific to graduate students beginning Monday, Nov. 23, and continuing through at least mid-January.

Graduate students will now be required to follow the travel guidelines established for faculty and staff, and not undergraduate students—that is, for anyone leaving Pennsylvania, we expect that you will follow all quarantining and testing guidelines upon returning to Pennsylvania as described by the Commonwealth.

Currently, that is:

  • Anyone who visits from another state must have a negative COVID-19 test within 72 hours prior to entering the Commonwealth.

  • Pennsylvanians visiting other states are required to have a negative COVID-19 test within 72 hours prior to their return to the Commonwealth or to quarantine for 14 days upon return to Pennsylvania.

  • These do not apply to people who commute to and from another state for work or medical treatment.

  • This requirement does apply to people traveling to Pennsylvania from another state or country.

These restrictions are subject to change, and any updates issued by the Commonwealth should be followed.

Graduate students are no longer required to demonstrate two negative PCR COVID-19 tests 5-7 days apart before returning to campus housing or locations.

As required for faculty and staff, anyone traveling from out-of-state or internationally is expected to follow all guidelines/orders as directed by the Commonwealth for entry or reentry to PA, if applicable.

IMPORTANT: More information about testing and quarantine requirements for spring semester arrival will be available in January and will apply to students newly arriving in January. For all undergraduate and graduate students, the spring “Return to Campus” protocol, which may be revised, will be communicated closer to the start of the spring semester as well.

We hope this information provides you with clarification for over the winter months.

Wishing you the best for a good Thanksgiving.

-COVID-19 Response Team