[Intl-stu] CORRECTION IMPORTANT: COVID-19 Travel Requirements For Our International Lions!

[International Students]

Hello Lions,

The Office of International Programs (OIP) hopes that you are doing well and keeping safe!

It has been reported that the Omicron Covid-19 variant has been spreading throughout the world and has caused flight delays, cancellations & travel bans. The White House issued a suspension of entry<https://urldefense.proofpoint.com/v2/url?u=https-3A__www.whitehouse.gov_briefing-2Droom_presidential-2Dactions_2021_11_26_a-2Dproclamation-2Don-2Dsuspension-2Dof-2Dentry-2Das-2Dimmigrants-2Dand-2Dnonimmigrants-2Dof-2Dcertain-2Dadditional-2Dpersons-2Dwho-2Dpose-2Da-2Drisk-2Dof-2Dtransmitting-2Dcoronavirus-2Ddisease-2D2019_&d=DwMFaQ&c=oqyuZuih6ykib6aKiBq22_bich4AVfYGoLertJN0bEc&r=Ys6IhynoF0ZnfZaAjBCcjpuYqQrwcq4_BEpMW64J0mc&m=kN5iyO8TBvDh2pVeJV05FDXv7Hi5LW9SRXAMEOrxZZo&s=aYAAxB3pD0QTWO3Wyj8ySh67LlVorrchFbP-k2-HHs4&e=> for foreign nationals to the United States from the following countries: Botswana, Eswatini, Lesotho, Malawi, Mozambique, Namibia, South Africa, and Zimbabwe. For those in our community who are from the forementioned countries and intend to travel back home please consult with the OIP before you travel.

If you are travelling into the U.S. by air please follow the guidance in accordance to CDC<https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/travelers/noncitizens-US-air-travel.html> you must.

  *   Be fully vaccinated. Only limited exceptions apply. Learn more about this requirement.<https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/travelers/proof-of-vaccination.html>
  *   Present a negative COVID-19 test result or documentation of recovery from COVID-19.
  *   Wear a mask over your nose and mouth in indoor areas of public transportation (including airplanes) traveling into, within, or out of the United States and indoors in U.S. transportation hubs (including airports).


What is considered fully vaccination? You are fully vaccinated if you meet one of the following criteria’s:

  *   2 weeks (14 days) after your dose of an accepted single-dose vaccine
  *   2 weeks (14 days) after your second dose of an accepted 2-dose series
  *   2 weeks (14 days) after you received the full series of an accepted COVID-19 vaccine (not placebo) in a clinical trial
  *   2 weeks (14 days) after you received the full series of a Novavax (or Covovax) COVID-19 vaccine (not placebo) in a phase 3 clinical trial
  *   2 weeks (14 days) after you received 2 doses of any “mix-and-match” combination of accepted COVID-19 vaccines<https://urldefense.proofpoint.com/v2/url?u=https-3A__www.cdc.gov_coronavirus_2019-2Dncov_travelers_proof-2Dof-2Dvaccination.html-23covid-2Dvaccines&d=DwMFaQ&c=oqyuZuih6ykib6aKiBq22_bich4AVfYGoLertJN0bEc&r=Ys6IhynoF0ZnfZaAjBCcjpuYqQrwcq4_BEpMW64J0mc&m=kN5iyO8TBvDh2pVeJV05FDXv7Hi5LW9SRXAMEOrxZZo&s=po--Kui42muIW9sPV_pZVRblutct-VNcy_8mNc7uzwM&e=> administered at least 17 days apart*

  *   Please review the document attached above on A&M-Commerce Mandated Covid-protocol before arriving to A&M-Commerce.

Please note that if you don’t meet these requirements, you are NOT fully vaccinated and you will NOT be allowed to board a flight to the U.S. unless you meet the criteria for an exception under the proclamation<https://www.whitehouse.gov/briefing-room/presidential-actions/2021/11/26/a-proclamation-on-suspension-of-entry-as-immigrants-and-nonimmigrants-of-certain-additional-persons-who-pose-a-risk-of-transmitting-coronavirus-disease-2019/> and CDC’s order.

Reminder: TRAVEL SIGNATURE FOR F-1 STUDENTS DEPARTING THE U.S. FOR WINTER BREAK!

Students who are travelling abroad this winter break must request a travel I-20.

  *   Current students travel signature is valid for one year and OPT/STEM OPT is valid for six months. (Please check at the second page on the Travel Signature section of the I-20 on validity of the date signed)
  *   Click here to request a travel signature<https://dms.tamuc.edu/Forms/OIP-Student?_ga=2.211132242.691221229.1638294382-1042883740.1637357016> .

Please review the document attached above on A&M-Commerce Mandated Covid-protocol before arriving to A&M-Commerce.

Let us know if you have further questions. We wish you a wonderful winter holiday and safe travels!

Office of International Programs Staff

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