Coronavirus Information

JHU and JHM Lifting COVID-19 Travel Restrictions

October 15, 2021

Dear Colleagues,

This summer, as the number of infections and hospitalizations from the coronavirus delta variant increased, The Johns Hopkins University (JHU) and Johns Hopkins Medicine (JHM) reinstated policies restricting domestic and international personal and work-related travel. Since that time, the rate of infection in our communities and facilities has plateaued or begun to improve, and virtually all of our personnel have been vaccinated or have an approved exception. Therefore, effective Monday, Oct. 18, the travel restrictions currently in place for JHU and JHM personnel will be eased, and COVID-related approval for business travel will no longer be required. The virus is still circulating, however, and it is important that everyone continue to take precautions to help avoid risk of infection during travel.

Please refer to the following guidance:  

  • JHU and JHM personnel who have an approved exception or are not yet fully vaccinated are strongly advised to avoid work-related and personal travel. 
  • Asymptomatic saliva testing is available before and after travel. People who have symptoms, however, should not visit a testing site without contacting the Johns Hopkins COVID-19 Call Center.
  • Before planning any travel, please refer to the domestic travel guidance and international travel guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Also, check the COVID-19 situation at your destination before traveling, and follow public health guidance according to the CDC risk level. If you are traveling internationally, also become familiar with specific policies in your destination country and follow requirements for vaccines, testing, and quarantine, which can vary widely.
  • Be careful about your activities and observe good health practices once your reach your destination, not just during travel to get there. When traveling for work, be sure to evaluate the precautions being taken by meeting hosts, and continue to be vigilant and to perform masking and distancing when in public, especially when in larger groups.
  • Upon return, if you or anyone in your party has any symptoms consistent with COVID-19 or other flulike symptoms, please call the Johns Hopkins COVID-19 Call Center at 443-287-8500 for guidance regarding work.

Thank you for doing your part to create a safer environment for our patients, our visitors, and one another either by becoming vaccinated or, for those with an approved exception, getting tested weekly. We will continue to monitor the COVID-19 data and adjust precautions as it is safe to do so. 

Sincerely,

Gabe Kelen,
Director, Johns Hopkins Office of Critical Event Preparedness and Response (CEPAR)
Director, Department of Emergency Medicine
The Johns Hopkins Hospital and Health System

Lisa Maragakis
Senior Director of Healthcare Epidemiology and Infection Prevention
Johns Hopkins Health System

Jonathan Links
Professor, Vice Provost and Chief Risk Officer
The Johns Hopkins University

Stephen Gange, Ph.D.
Executive Vice Provost for Academic Affairs