Travel Notices and Alerts Archive

A travel notice has been posted by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) related to Monkeypox in multiple countries (see full list of countries here). The CDC guidance is multi-layered and contains the following recommendations: 

Travelers should AVOID: 

• Close contact with sick people, including those with skin lesions or genital lesions.
• Contact with dead or live wild animals such as small mammals including rodents (rats, squirrels) and non-human primates (monkeys, apes).
• Eating or preparing meat from wild game (bushmeat) or using products derived from wild animals from Africa (creams, lotions, powders).
• Contact with contaminated materials used by sick people (such as clothing, bedding, or materials used in healthcare settings) or that came into contact with infected animals.

The Office of International Safety & Security advises that travelers speak directly about this during a pre-departure travel consultation at the Student Health Center or with a preferred provider.

As of December 6, 2021, all travelers (regardless of citizenship or vaccination status) who will be entering the United States from abroad via an international flight will be required to present a negative COVID-19 test result completed no more than 1 day prior to flight departure OR proof of COVID-19 infection within the past 90 days from which the individual has recovered. Air passengers will also be required to confirm that the information they present is true in the form of an attestation. This extends to U.S. citizens returning from travel abroad. 

If you have tested positive in Georgia for COVID-19 within the past 90 days and require a signed letter from the Georgia Department of Public Health (DPH) certifying that you have been cleared for travel, please visit  https://dph.georgia.gov/covid-19.

Please note that this information can change. 

For additional information on entry as well as post-travel requirements, please refer to the guidance issued by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). 

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A series of travel notices have been posted by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) related to Polio in multiple countries. The CDC guidance is multi-layered and contains the following recommendations:

Travelers who have never been vaccinated against polio traveling to a country with a polio outbreak are advised to obtain the vaccination.
Adult travelers who were vaccinated against the disease during childhood are still currently advised to obtain a one-time adult booster prior to travel, for any duration abroad in a country experiencing an outbreak.
Adult travelers who will be in a country experiencing an outbreak for more than 4 weeks may be required to show proof of vaccination or booster upon exiting the country.  In order to meet this requirement, the traveler most procure proof of an initial vaccination or booster obtained within 4-weeks to 12-months prior to their date of departure.  Exiting travelers unable to demonstrate proof of vaccination in the previous 12-month period may be required to obtain the vaccination locally in order to exit the country.
The Office of International Safety & Security advises that travelers speak directly about this during a pre-departure travel consultation at the Student Health Center or with a preferred provider.

There is currently a worldwide shortage of Yellow Fever vaccination. The government has made available an alternative vaccination, Stamaril, at select locations across the United States. To locate a Stamaril clinic, please visit the CDC website.

Locations proximate to Kennesaw State University include:

Dekalb County Board of Health
(T.O. Vinson Health Center)
440 Winn Way
Decatur, GA 30030
Phone: 404-294-3700
Passport Health
990 Holcomb Bridge Rd, Suite 4
Roswell, GA 30071
Phone: 877-358-8648
Emory Travel Well Center
550 Peachtree St NE 7th Floor
Atlanta GA 30308
404-686-5885
*Please be advised that most locations will charge a travel consultation or office visit fee in addition to the cost of the vaccination. For groups of travelers needing to obtain Stamaril, it is advisable to inquire about the possibility of arranging and obtaining a discount for a group consultation visit.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the U.S. Department of State (DOS) have rescinded their worldwide travel advisories. Please review the country-specific travel advisories for additional information regarding travel to your intended destination(s).

The CDC Worldwide Level 3: Avoid Nonessential Travel (the highest rating) has been removed. Please review the map of COVID-19 Travel Recommendations by Destination for travel notices and specific guidance relevant to your intended destination(s). Presently the majority of countries have an active Level 3 Warning for COVID-19 in effect.

Similarly, the U.S. DOS Worldwide Level 4 Global Health Advisory: Do Not Travel (the highest rating) has been removed. In its place, please refer to the U.S. DOS Country-Specific Travel Advisory in effect for your intended destination(s). Most countries presently have a Level 3: Reconsider Travel or Level 4: Do Not Travel advisory in place.

All university-sponsored international travel continues to be suspended. Please review coronavirus.kennesaw.edu for further guidance.

The Office of International Safety & Security continues to monitor the worldwide COVID-19 situation. For any questions or concerns, please contact us at globalsafety@kennesaw.edu.

This notice was modified on March 20th to reflect the updated guidance by the U.S. Department of State.

On March 11th, the U.S. Department of State issued a Level 3: Reconsider Travel GLOBAL Health Advisory for all countries due to the global impact of COVID-19.  On March 19th, this was upgraded to a Level 4: Do Not Travel advisory for all international travel. The Department of State advises U.S. citizens not to travel abroad due to the global impact of COVID-19. In countries where commercial departure options remain available, U.S. citizens who live in the United States should arrange for immediate return to the United States, unless they are prepared to remain abroad for an indefinite period.  U.S. citizens who live abroad should avoid all international travel. Many countries are experiencing COVID-19 outbreaks and implementing travel restrictions and mandatory quarantines, closing borders, and prohibiting non-citizens from entry with little advance notice.  Airlines have cancelled many international flights and several cruise operators have suspended operations or cancelled trips.  If you choose to travel internationally, your travel plans may be severely disrupted, and you may be forced to remain outside of the United States for an indefinite timeframe.

This is addition to alerts and warnings issued by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. All university-sponsored travel in China, Italy, South Korea and the Schengen Area of Europe has been cancelled by the university following the implementation of a CDC Level 3 Warning: Avoid Nonessential Travel due to COVID-19. 

Following this guidance and out of an abundance of caution, the Division of Global Affairs has subsequently made the very difficult decision to cancel ALL spring and summer education abroad programs. 

Please be advised that this situation is evolving. Kennesaw State University will continue to monitor professional resources. Changes in guidance will be posted to the Office of International Safety & Security Travel Notices & Alerts page as they become available.

On March 11th, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) issued a Level 3 Warning: Avoid Nonessential Travel to the Schengen Area of Europe due to COVID-19.  Additionally, the U.S. government announced a temporary restriction on entry for foreign nationals traveling from Europe to the United States. 

At this time, university-sponsored international travel to a location with an active CDC Level 3 Warning: Avoid Nonessential Travel due to COVID-19, including the Schengen Area, has been suspended until further notice.

Please be advised that this situation is evolving. Kennesaw State University will continue to monitor professional resources. Changes in guidance will be posted to the Office of International Safety & Security Travel Notices & Alerts page as they become available.

On Feb. 29, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) upgraded Italy to a Level 3 Warning: Avoid Nonessential Travel. 

The university strongly encourages all members of the Kennesaw State University community to reconsider travel to Italy at this time due to the uncertain and evolving nature of the coronavirus outbreak situation. Additional travel restrictions may be implemented with little to no advance warning. The university has limited capacity to assist travelers impacted by delays or quarantine abroad. KSU is monitoring the situation daily.  

1. EDUCATION ABROAD PROGRAMS 

Out of an abundance of caution and in consideration of the health and safety of KSU students, all current and Summer 2020 education abroad programming in Italy has been canceled. The Education Abroad Office will work together with impacted students, faculty, and their departments to identify suitable alternatives. 

2. FACULTY AND STAFF TRAVEL 

At the present time, all requests for university employees to travel to Italy must be pre-approved and will be evaluated on a case-by-case basis. Please contact the Office of International Safety & Security at 470-578-3785 or globalsafety@kennesaw.edu to initiate the travel approval process.  

Travelers wishing to cancel booked travel to Italy or elsewhere due to concerns over coronavirus MUST contact the Office of Fiscal Services – Travel at 470-578-4394 or travel@kennesaw.edu before canceling with Travel, Inc. (Concur) to avoid cancellation fees.  

For any questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to contact the Office of International Safety & Security.  

On Feb. 24, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) upgraded South Korea to a Level 3 Warning: Avoid Nonessential Travel.

The university strongly encourages all members of the Kennesaw State University community to reconsider travel to South Korea at this time due to the uncertain and evolving nature of the coronavirus outbreak situation. Additional travel restrictions may be implemented with little to no advance warning. The university has limited capacity to assist travelers impacted by delays or quarantine abroad. KSU is monitoring the situation daily.  

1. EDUCATION ABROAD PROGRAMS 

Out of an abundance of caution and in consideration of the health and safety of KSU students, all current and Summer 2020 education abroad programming in South Korea has been canceled. The Education Abroad Office will work together with impacted students, faculty, and their departments to identify suitable alternatives. 

2. FACULTY AND STAFF TRAVEL 

At the present time, all requests for university employees to travel to South Korea must be pre-approved and will be evaluated on a case-by-case basis. Please contact the Office of International Safety & Security at 470-578-3785 or globalsafety@kennesaw.edu to initiate the travel approval process.  
Travelers wishing to cancel booked travel to South Korea or elsewhere due to concerns over coronavirus MUST contact the Office of Fiscal Services – Travel at 470-578-4394 or travel@kennesaw.edu before canceling with Travel, Inc. (Concur) to avoid cancellation fees.  

For any questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to contact the Office of International Safety & Security.  

This statement has been updated on February 5, 2020.

On Jan. 27, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) upgraded its Level 3 Warning: Avoid Nonessential Travel to include all of China. On Jan. 30, the U.S. Department of State issued a Level 4: Do Not Travel advisory for travel to China.

The university strongly encourages all members of the Kennesaw State University community to reconsider travel to China at this time due to the uncertain and evolving nature of the coronavirus outbreak situation. Additional travel restrictions may be implemented with little to no advance warning. The university has limited capacity to assist travelers impacted by delays or quarantine abroad. KSU is monitoring the situation on a daily basis.

1. EDUCATION ABROAD PROGRAMS

Out of an abundance of caution and in consideration of the health and safety of KSU students, Summer 2020 education abroad programming in China has been canceled. The Education Abroad Office will work together with impacted students, faculty, and their departments to identify suitable alternatives.

2. FACULTY AND STAFF TRAVEL

At the present time, all requests for university employees to travel to China must be pre-approved and will be evaluated on a case-by-case basis. Please contact the Office of International Safety & Security at 470-578-3785 or globalsafety@kennesaw.edu to initiate the travel approval process.

Travelers wishing to cancel booked travel to China or elsewhere due to concerns over coronavirus MUST contact the Office of Fiscal Services – Travel at 470-578-4394 or travel@kennesaw.edu before canceling with Travel, Inc. (Concur) to avoid cancellation fees.

For any questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to contact the Office of International Safety & Security.

Kennesaw State University is actively monitoring the heightened tensions in Iraq and the Middle East. The primary resources being monitored include the U.S. Department of State and we are drawing information provided by our international security consultants. The Office of International Safety & Security works closely with the Overseas Security Advisory Council (OSAC), a division of the Bureau of Diplomatic Security in the U.S. Department of State, in order to properly assess any emerging threats that could pose hazard to our students, faculty or staff. At this point, the university has not cancelled or relocated any programming.

While we are not aware of any current and credible threats impacting our students, faculty or staff, it is prudent to keep in mind the following personal security actions to follow on a regular basis where ever you travel.

• Be aware of your surroundings
• Keep a low profile
• Stay alert in public places, including schools, hospitals, government facilities, places of worship, tourist locations, and transportation hubs
• Review and alter travel routes and times to reduce time and place predictability
• Avoid crowds and demonstrations
• Exercise caution when walking or driving at night
• Implement the Buddy-System
• Carry proper ID
• Review your personal security plans
• Monitor local media, both print, TV and radio, for updates
• Review the US Department of State Worldwide Caution

The Office of International Safety & Security will provide updates of any developments to this webpage as needed.

The Office of International Safety & Security is currently monitoring the civil unrest in Chile and is aware of the constitutional referendum tentatively scheduled for April 26, 2020. At present, the Department of State travel advisory remains at a Level 2 and U.S. citizens are advised to take general precautions to avoid the vicinity of any demonstrations or protests as they occur.  Demonstration alerts will be issued by the U.S. Embassy in Santiago, Chile.
 
Travelers to Chile are strongly encouraged to enroll their travel with the Department of State Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) and follow local media for the most up-to-date information regarding active protests.

The Office of International Safety & Security is monitoring the events in Hong Kong carefully. At this time, the country remains at a Level 2: Exercise Increased Caution per the U.S. Department of State travel advisory system. However, travelers should be aware that ongoing protests may continue and have the possibility to escalate. Several universities have temporarily suspended in person classes in preference of remote studies for the remainder of the term. Travelers are urged to exercise caution specifically around MTR stations, shopping malls, and at the Hong Kong International Airport.

Travelers to Hong Kong should:

• Monitor local media and local transportation sites and apps such as MTR Mobile or CitybusNWFB and the Hong Kong International Airport website for details

• Avoid the areas of demonstrations

• Exercise caution if you are in the vicinity of large gatherings or protests

• Be aware of your surroundings

• Keep a low profile

• Review your flight status with your airline or at the Hong Kong International Airport website

• Be prepared to shelter in place and have access to sufficient supplies of food, water, medication as well as keep phones charged

• Have a contingency plan for emergency situations