​​​​​​Important Travel Information for you​

Updated May 20​, 2021

International Travel

The CDC has updated its travel guidelines and we want to provide you the latest information.  

International Travel if you are Fully Vaccinated

If you are planning to travel internationally and you are fully vaccinated, you will no longer have to quarantine upon return to the United States and you will be able to come back to work immediately after returning to the United States. However, you will be removed from the work schedule on day 6 if you have not provided proof for COVID-19 test on days 3-5 to the International Travel Team IntlTravelProof@cookchildrens.org. You will need to go to a community testing site to receive this COVID-19 test. Cook Children's Health Care System is not providing post International travel testing.  

There are still several things to understand with regards to this travel:

  1. The country you are going to may require a test prior to entering the country.  Please check to confirm.
  2. You will need to notify Occupational Health prior to you traveling internationally. Click here to send an email  to complete Cook Children's COVID-19 Vaccinated Employee International Travel Process. You can also click here to download this form, which should then be completed and emailed to IntlTravelProof@cookchildrens.org. This will inform them to expect a test result after your return.
  3. Fully vaccinated people will still be REQUIRED to get a test prior to the flight back to the United States by the airlines.  If you test positive, you will not be allowed to return until the isolation period is over.
  4. After you return to the United States, you will need to obtain a test sometime between days 3-5. Once you receive your results, it will need to be sent to Occupational Health via fax 682-885-6717 or to the International Travel Team via email at IntlTravelProof@cookchildrens.org. If you receive a positive result, you should immediately start isolation and contact the COVID19 hotline for guidance. 

While you can retu​rn to work immediately, please ensure the following criteria:
  • Proof of obtaining a COVID test during Day 3-5 after returning to U.S. is sent to Occupational Health at IntlTravelProof@cookchildrens.org. Occupational Health will alert the manager of receipt of this information.
  • If the employee does not submit proof of testing for COVID-19 on days 3-5, the employee will be taken off of the schedule by their department until proof of testing during that time period is received or after 10 days of quarantine (if no test obtain​ed during the time frame of days 3-5). The International Travel Team/Occupational Health will notify the Manager, RHDirector and HR if no proof is received.


International Travel if you are NOT Fully Vaccinated

If you have not been fully vaccinated, the previous guidance is still in effect and you will need to follow t​he CDC guidelines that were previously provided:

  1. The country you are going to may require a test to enter the country.  Please check to confirm.
  2. You will need to notify Occupational Health prior to you traveling internationally. Click here to send an email to complete Cook Children's COVID-19 Vaccinated Employee International Travel Process. You can also click here to download this form, which should then be completed and emailed to IntlTravelProof@cookchildrens.org. This will inform them to expect a test result after your return.
  3. You will be REQUIRED to get a test prior to the flight back to the United States by the airlines.  If you test positive, you will not be allowed to return until the isolation period is over.
  4. You will need to remain off work for 10 days after you return (7 days if you are tested on days 3-5 and the result is negative).
  5. You will need to coordinate your quarantine time off with your department leadership and the time off will require PTO.
 


Traveling in the U.S. or U.S. Territories

You are NOT required to quarantine when traveling to or from the United States, including Hawaii and Alaska, or any U.S. territories, including American Samoa, Guam, The Northern Mariana Islands, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands. These areas are not considered international travel.

The CDC adds, as long as precautions are taken, such as wearing a mask, fully vaccinated people can travel within the U.S. without getting tested for COVID-19 before traveling or self-quarantining after.

 

What about Business Travel?

While we are continuing to discourage business travel, we understand some travel is deemed necessary or essential to the operations of Cook Children's Health Care System. In these situations, business travel should be approved in advance by a company president, or VP or above.

Currently, no international travel for business will be approved by Cook Children's.

 

Cruise Ship and River Cruise Voyages

The CDC recommends all people avoid travel on cruise ships, including cruises, worldwide. “That's because the chance of getting COVID-19 on cruise ships is high since the virus appears to spread more easily between people in close q​uarters above cruise ships."

The CDC states avoiding cruises it is especially important that people with an increased risk of severe illness defer travel on cruise ships, including river cruises.

*NEW* If you go on a cruise, you will need to notify Occupational Health prior to you traveling. Click here to send an email  to complete Cook Children's COVID-19 Vaccinated Employee International Travel Process. You can also click here to download this form, which should then be completed and emailed to IntlTravelProof@cookchildrens.org. This will inform them to expect a test result after your return. 

If you are vaccinated, you will be able to return to work upon your vacation but must have COVID test performed on Day 3-5 post travel per above instructions.  

Currently, a quarantine remains for those who decide to go on a cruise, if you are not vaccinated.

You will need to self-quarantine after you return home and will not be able to work during this time.

​Quarantine time:
  1. 10 days if you elect not to be tested after returning
  2. 7 days if you get tested on days 3, 4 or 5 after returning
​​You will need to coordinate your quarantine time off with your department leadership and the time off will require PTO.


Quarantine after Exposure Information
​The CDC has released new information on when to quarantine after COVID exposure if you have previously tested positive for COVID-19 or received the vaccine. The key points include:
  • You no longer have to quarantine after a COVID exposure or get tested again If you have tested positive for COVID-19 within the past 3 months and recovered,  (unless you develop new symptoms).
  • If you develop symptoms again within three months of your first bout of COVID-19, we ask that you are tested for the virus again if there is no other cause identified for your symptoms.
  •  You are NOT required to quarantine after a COVID exposure if you have been fully vaccinated against the disease and show no symptoms.

What counts as close contact?

  • You were within 6 feet of someone who has COVID-19 for a total of 15 minutes or more
  • You provided care to someone who is sick with COVID-19
  • You had direct physical contact with the person (hugged or kissed them)
  • You shared eating or drinking utensils
  • You were sneezed on, coughed on or somehow got respiratory droplets on you

 For more information from the CDC, click here to learn more.

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For all questions and concerns about exposures, quarantine and return to work, please call the COVID-19 Center hotline at 682-303-1661. This number is monitored by Infection Prevention and not Occupational Health. 

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​PPE - What to wear and when...

PPE Guidance (Up​dated – Nov. 2, 2020)​​