Travel Guidance for Summer 2021 & Fall 2021 Terms

Travel Guidance for Summer 2021 & Fall 2021 Terms

The COVID-19 pandemic continues to present many unknowns this year with respect to travel. With the emergence of variants of concern and the varying pace of global vaccination, the University is recommending that all non-essential outbound travel should be limited or delayed where possible.

The following applies to all members of the York community, whether or not they have received the COVID-19 vaccine. While we do remain optimistic that we will see improvement later this year as vaccination continues, this guidance is intended to support the health and safety of the community and avoid unnecessary trip cancellation costs in the Summer and Fall 2021 Terms, as travel advisories remain in place. Further details are available in the FAQ section on YU Better Together:

  • Interprovincial travel: current guidance for inter-provincial travel strongly advises that individuals and families self-isolate for 14 days when arriving in or returning to Ontario.
  • Students participating in international outbound programs: all international travel for University-sponsored or sanctioned international programs are cancelled or postponed until December 31, 2021 and guidance for Winter 2022 programs will be reviewed at the end of August 2021. This direction applies to:
    • Academic exchange, faculty-led programs, internships, research placements, community-engaged learning, practicums, co-op or any other international travel that is approved by a York faculty member, department, staff member, Faculty or a non-academic unit. Subject to narrow exemptions described in the FAQs.
  • International students (inbound to campus): for travellers arriving in Canada, a mandatory Government of Canada quarantine requirement is in place. The current requirement subjects all travellers to a mandatory quarantine for a period of 14 days including a 3-day government approved accommodation.
    York University is providing an off-campus quarantine program for all international arrivals destined for York. For more information, please visit York International’s Quarantine Information page.
  • Graduate student research-related travel (outbound): research-related international travel and related activities for graduate students, and travel related to academic program completion will continue to be considered on a case-by-case basis until August 31, 2021. New guidance will be available for the Fall 2021 Term by July 1, 2021.
  • Visiting graduate students: if there are essential reasons for inbound travel to Canada (as defined by Government of Canada for in-person and on-campus activity), any host who is either a faculty member/instructor/researcher/department or Faculty, must ensure all health and safety protocols are adhered to, including the 14-day mandatory quarantine period, and notify the respective Decanal office, Faculty of Graduate Studies and York International.
  • Faculty, Researchers, Instructors and others: we continue to strongly advise against all non-essential travel, in accordance with the Government of Canada’s travel advisory. While recognizing that international research, fieldwork and conference participation are fundamental to research, scholarship and the advancement of knowledge, it is unclear when travel bans will be fully removed or lifted as vaccine roll-out progresses globally. If you do choose to travel, please do so safely, following the latest travel advisories and guidance from your insurance provider.
  • Visiting Faculty, researchers and others: if there are essential reasons for inbound travel to Canada (as defined by Government of Canada for in-person and on-campus activity), any host who is either a faculty member/instructor/researcher/department or Faculty, must ensure that all health and safety protocols are adhered to, including the 14-day mandatory quarantine period, and notify the respective Decanal office, Organized Research Unit (ORU) or Vice-President Research & Innovation and York International.

As travel advisories change and the roll-out of vaccinations progresses globally, we will continue to update you should this advice change. York International will also be available to provide support to assess and develop risk mitigation plans for international travel, where and when it is required. In the meantime, please continue to visit YU Better Together for regular updates.

Sincerely,

Lisa Philipps
Provost & Vice-President Academic