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Update on Travel Restrictions

 July 8, 2020

TO:Vice Presidents, Vice Provosts, Deans, Directors, Department Heads, and Managers
FROM:Sally Kornbluth, Provost
Kyle Cavanaugh, Vice President, Administration
Eric Mlyn, Chair, Global Travel Advisory Committee
RE:Update on Travel Restrictions

As we see some borders opening and airline carriers resuming operations, we wish to clarify issues pertaining to the suspension of Duke-supported travel and provide additional resources for top-level managers on the process for requesting an exception.

In March, Duke suspended all non-essential Duke-funded/supported travel, both domestic and international. Essential travel was allowed in certain circumstances with appropriate approval. An addendum to this policy now clarifies the definition of “Essential Travel” and provides instructions for how faculty, staff and graduate/professional students can request an exception. Undergraduates are not currently eligible for an exemption to the policy.

The addendum also makes clear that Duke support includes financial and logistical support, academic approval, granting of credit for activity or work completed based on the travel, mentorship or any kind of material role for Duke in the travel.

Local travel, that which begins and ends in the same location during the same day, is not regulated by this policy.

For more information about the policy or the addendum, please visit the Global Administrative and Travel Support website or contact Christy Parish, the Duke Travel Policy Administrator, at christy.parrish@duke.edu. Thank you.