Being an Educated Traveler

Travel During the COVID-19 Pandemic

Please visit Yale University’s Travel Policy page for updated information about university travel policy during the COVID-19 pandemic. Visit the International SOS COVID Trip Planner for additional guidance as you prepare for your trip (requires log-in with Yale’s iSOS Membership Number: 11B824535).

Before You Depart

  1. Register your travel:  You will need your NetID and must use a Yale networked computer or Yale VPN.
  2. Check you passport and visa requirements. 
  3. Make a travel health appointment.
  4. Read about your health insurance coverage.
  5. Read the International SOS country report(s) for your destination(s).
  6. Request a customized travel briefing specific to your itinerary from International SOS:  complete this form and email it to Philadelphia@internationalsos.com.
  7. Carry a physical copy of the International SOS card with you and install the TravelTracker app on your phone.
  8. Take photographs of important documents (passport, visas) to bring with you.
  9. Share your travel details with your Dean’s office or program office.  Provide a copy of your itinerary to family or friends as well.
  10. Complete a travel self-assessment.

During Your Travel

  1. Use the “check in” feature of the TravelTracker app to record your location.
  2. Continue to update the Travel Tracker app as your plans change.
  3. Share travel plan changes with advisors, your Dean’s Office, family and friends when they occur so your contacts have the best information to reach you in case of an emergency.
  4. Carry your charged cell phone with you at all times.
  5. Be aware that you may encounter difficulty accessing certain technology services, including DUO (required for some Yale resources), due to new restrictions resulting from heightened concerns about cybersecurity. These restrictions are outside of Yale’s control.

Travel Resources during COVID-19

Updated 10/11/2022

Members of the Yale community should consult the university’s detailed COVID-19 Travel Policy and the Office of Environmental Health and Safety’s Safer COVID-19 Travel Practices before making plans for any travel. These pages include information on quarantine requirements, guidelines for university-related travel, and State of Connecticut advisories. These may change as public health and safety circumstances demand, so be sure to consult these resources regularly. Air travel requires spending time in security lines and airport terminals, which can bring you in close contact with other people and frequently touched surfaces. In addition, be prepared for travel delays and changes (read the International Travel Challenges notice at the US. State Department website).

Faculty, students, and staff are urged to complete the travel self-assessment when making plans for any international travel (this includes university-sponsored and personal travel). All travelers must be prepared to follow all government regulations and guidelines for their destination(s).