Guidelines for spring break travel

by Bill Jacob, Interim Vice Chancellor for Administrative Services  |   

Dear UAA Community,

Spring break is next week, and I hope it will be a time for you to rest and recharge. It is hard to believe the university’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic began almost a year ago.

During the spring 2021 semester, we will continue in Phase B for our campus operations, which means remote work for most employees, alternate delivery for the majority of courses, suspension of campus events and mask wearing in all campus facilities. I continue to applaud our community’s resilience and willingness to adapt.

As you know, UAA’s COVID Response Team is committed to campus safety. If you are planning to travel outside Alaska over spring break and need to return to campus for work or courses, please note the following information.

When can I return to campus after traveling outside Alaska?
You have two options when you return:

  • You may come to campus after five days, provided you have a negative COVID-19 test. You should be tested within 72 hours of your return to the state or at the airport upon your arrival to Alaska.
  • Alternatively, you may return to campus following the CDC’s recommended 14-day quarantine if you remain asymptomatic.

Please follow strict social distancing during this time.

What if I already had COVID-19?
If you had COVID-19 within the past 90 days and are symptom-free, you are exempt from COVID-19 testing and strict social distancing.

What if I have been vaccinated for COVID-19?

If you are fully vaccinated* against COVID-19, you should be tested within 72 hours of your return to the state or at the airport upon your arrival to Alaska. You do not need to follow strict social distancing while awaiting test results.

*Fully vaccinated means it has been more than two weeks since you received the second dose in a two-dose series or more than two weeks since you received one dose of a single-dose vaccine AND you are within three months of receiving the last dose in the series.

For employees: What kind of leave should I use?
Please consult the employee FAQs on the UA COVID-19 information site and work directly with your supervisor. There are four options available for required quarantine/strict social distancing due to personal travel.

Quarantine/strict social distancing due to personal travel: 

  • Work from home if able
  • Emergency Sick Leave (through June 30, 2021)
  • Annual Leave
  • Leave Without Pay (LWOP)

Resources
For complete information, please consult:

These policies are consistent with State of Alaska Outbreak Health Advisory Number 2: International and Interstate Travel.

Questions?
Please reach out to Director of Safety Tim Edwards in Environmental Health and Safety. In addition, the state announced another expansion of its COVID-19 vaccination criteria. Please make sure to read yesterday’s statewide communication. More UA employees are now eligible to receive the vaccine.

Thank you for your continued cooperation. Following these guidelines demonstrates your care and concern for our community and your commitment to help stop the spread of COVID-19.

Sincerely,
Bill Jacob
Interim Vice Chancellor for Administrative Services

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