Travel Restrictions
Please be advised the Governor has issued an Executive Order requiring all travelers into New York from a state with a positive test rate higher than 10 per 100,000 residents, or higher than a 10% test positivity rate, over a seven day rolling average, to quarantine for a period of 14 days upon arrival in the state. As of today, the 14-day quarantine mandate applies to individuals traveling from any of the following states: Alabama, Arkansas, Arizona, Florida, North Carolina, South Carolina, Washington, Texas or Utah. This list may change as we move forward, and the College encourages employees to check the New York State COVID-19 website or contact Human Resources for the most up to date list of states subject to the Executive Order.
In accordance with the CDC’s Global COVID-19 Pandemic Notice, Skidmore College has suspended all nonessential travel. The Governor’s Executive Order further underscores the importance of avoiding nonessential travel to protect the health and safety of all College community members. Therefore, the College asks that community members do their part to maintain the progress made in our state to stop the spread of COVID-19 and avoid travel to those states with a positive test rate higher than 10 per 100,000 residents or higher than a 10% test positivity rate.
The College understands the stress of the last few months makes the need for rest and relaxation more important than ever and encourages employees to take time off this summer. However, if an employee elects to travel to one of the states to which this travel advisory applies, the employee must quarantine for 14 days following their return to New York. Employees who can work remotely will be expected to do so during the mandatory quarantine period. Employees who cannot work remotely are generally not eligible for New York Emergency Paid Sick Leave during mandatory quarantines following travel to the US from a country which the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has a level two or three travel health notice, and the College is currently seeking guidance from the state whether this restriction will also apply to employees who voluntarily travel to one of these states. If unavailable, any employee who cannot work remotely may elect to use accrued paid leave or take an unpaid leave.
When submitting a vacation request, please note that your supervisor may ask you whether you are planning to travel to a state covered by this Executive Order, and vacation requests may be denied if business needs cannot accommodate an employee’s extended absence from work. Employees who are working on campus and approved visitors will be required, as part of their daily health screening, to disclose whether they have traveled to a state with a positive test rate higher than 10%. Given that the health and safety of our community members depends on the cooperation of everyone with the Governor’s Executive Order, it is essential to answer these inquiries truthfully. Failure to do so is a serious violation of Skidmore College policy.
Please note, this travel advisory does not require any employees who have visitors from a covered state. Also, the quarantine requirement does not apply if an employee is only traveling through one of the listed states during the course of travel (e.g., a layover).
Exceptions to the 14-day quarantine requirement may be made for essential workers and other extraordinary circumstances and will be handled on a case-by-case basis in accordance with state requirements. Faculty members are among those designated by NYS as essential workers. Please contact Human Resources to discuss any exceptions.
Dwayne Zuhlke
Associate Director, Human Resources