May
11

COVID-19 Team Update: Smithsonian Travel and State Department Global Travel Advisory

Banner showing COVID-19 virus

The U.S. Department of State recently issued an updated global travel advisory in light of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. This action changed the travel advisory status of many countries around the world, elevating most of them to Level 4: Do Not Travel. Prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, Smithsonian sponsored travel to Level 4 counties always required enhanced approvals per the Smithsonian Guidance to International Travel. However, during the pandemic, the Smithsonian cancelled all Level 4 travel. The recent classification (to Level 4) of so many countries has required a reconsideration of the pandemic policy to allow mission critical activities to continue.

Going forward, Level 4 travel, while strongly discouraged, may be considered. If a unit deems Level 4 travel to be mission critical and unable to be postponed, the unit director must submit a request and justification for requiring travel during this time of heightened risk. This request shall be sent for review to the COVID-19 Response Team. If approved by the Response Team, the request will then be elevated for final review and approval by the Deputy Secretary and Chief Operating Officer. The Phase 1 & 2 Travel policy has been revised to reflect this change.

As a reminder, all Smithsonian sponsored travel – domestic and international – remains limited to mission critical activities through Phases 1 and 2. Please note, vaccination status of traveler has no bearing on the classification of mission critical. All travel must be approved by the traveler’s supervisor/sponsor and the unit director. Like international travel requests, once approved at the unit level, domestic travel requests must be sent to the COVID-19 Response Team for review and approval via SI-CoronavirusInfo@si.edu. Finally, travelers must complete a consultation with Occupational Health Services before final approval is given and travel is cleared.

Stay safe and be well,
COVID-19 Response Team

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Posted: 11 May 2021
About the Author:

Alex di Giovanni is primarily responsible for "other duties as assigned" in the Office of Communications and External Affairs. She has been with the Smithsonian since 2006 and plans to be interred in the Smithson crypt.