SSIS Professional and Personal Travel Guidelines (COVID-19) – Updated March 2, 2020

Dear Faculty and Staff,

“It is the responsibility of the school to track all travel outside of Vietnam, professional and personal, and to take measures to protect the community.” International SOS (2/27/2020).

As institutions and events around the world close their doors in the face of uncertainty, we must take a closer look inward on the risks associated with the decisions that we make. More than ever before, we must make those decisions with the greater good in mind.

We have been urged by International SOS to take measures to protect the community. As we know that traveling incurs a heightened risk to COVID-19 exposure, and thus potential transmission to our community, each one of us must do everything we can to prevent jeopardizing the health of our immediate and our extended community. A quarantine could potentially lead to the entire school being quarantined.

Should you decide to travel, it is your responsibility to keep informed of the latest updates from International SOS, World Health Organization (WHO), the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and the Vietnamese Government. As our guidelines are subject to change based on their latest recommendations, keep in mind that should you decide to travel, you may not be able to return to school due to updated quarantine requirements. Quarantine mandated as a result of non-essential travel will require you to use sick leave days, personal days, and even possibly days without pay.

REQUIRED BEFORE ANY POTENTIAL TRAVEL

Before any out-of-country travel, you must complete the Travel Questionnaire. This information may be requested by the Vietnamese Government at any time, particularly if a confirmed Coronavirus outbreak contact-tracing is needed.

SSIS TRAVEL

• Non-essential travel will NOT be approved. Previously planned events are canceled until further notice. This includes, but is not limited to, professional development, accreditation visits, events, sports, and activities.

• Travel to conferences, either within or outside of Vietnam, will be canceled due to the potential COVID-19 transmission risks associated with large groups.

• All essential travel, i.e., employment eligibility or visa requirement travel, must follow recommended travel health precautions and guidelines.

PERSONAL TRAVEL

Be aware of travel advisories, trends, and recent changes in the area and country of travel. Keep up to date with the advisory in the area in which you’re traveling.

• Personal travel due to family emergencies is considered essential travel, and we will accommodate you to the best of our ability.

• Do not travel to Level 3 CDC countries at this time

China, Iran, Italy, South Korea (check the link for updates)

• Other Countries Outside of Vietnam

Avoid traveling to countries on the International SOS TRAVEL advisory that have possible bans, restrictions, and quarantine. Also, avoid countries listed as Level 1 and 2 on the CDC website (this page provides advisories from all countries, a single comprehensive worldwide list does not exist.)

• Level 2: Japan

• Level 1: Hong Kong

• NOTE – as of 3/1/2020 Thailand Government advises:  “The Department of Disease Control has recommended that students and staff of educational institutions who have returned [to Thailand] from areas with reported outbreaks should quarantine themselves at home for 14 days before returning to the education institution.”

QUARANTINE RISK DURING, OR AFTER TRAVEL

Faculty and staff are encouraged to consider the risk of potentially being quarantined upon arrival at your travel destination (host country), or upon your return to Vietnam (country of origin). Furthermore, airlines may ban flights to or from the country of travel to Vietnam.

Quarantine means no direct contact with family and community members, including colleagues, students, and parents.

VISITORS 

If you have visitors, note that their location of departure, as well as the airports they transit through, may result in quarantine upon arrival. Depending on whether or not you have had contact with them, you too could be placed in quarantine. We recommend that you review any visitors’ travel arrangements, prior to their arrival.

HEALTH INSURANCE

Should you travel, make sure to check the most recent update from Tie Care  here