Letter from Whitehead Institute Director David Page on Travel Policies (5/18)
The following letter was sent by Whitehead Institute Director David Page on May 18, 2020.
Dear fellow members of the Whitehead Institute community,
I am writing to update you on our policies regarding domestic and international travel in light of the ongoing public health emergency in the United States and around the globe. As with all of our COVID-era guidelines, these policies are focused on ensuring the health, safety, and trust of our entire workforce, recognizing that travel increases the risk of infection for you and for all members of our community. We base our guidelines on the CDC’s Global Level 3 Warning – Avoid Non-Essential Travel, the CDC’s recommendation against domestic travel, and the U.S. State Department’s Global Level 4 Health Advisory – Do Not Travel.
All Whitehead Institute-related business travel, both domestic and international, is prohibited until further notice. This applies to all members of the Whitehead Institute community, including faculty, postdocs, students, and staff. This includes any and all travel associated with one’s scholarly activities, including travel funded by a government grant, by a foundation, by a company, by a conference, or by other universities. Whitehead Institute faculty, employees, and affiliates should not plan or schedule any Institute-related business travel at this time.
We also strongly discourage personal domestic and international travel. If you choose to travel for personal reasons, please remember that the Commonwealth of Massachusetts and Whitehead Institute require a 14-day self-isolation period.
I understand that adhering to these policies may require personal sacrifice on your part for the wellbeing of our community. Looking ahead to a time when this guidance can be relaxed, I thank you for your cooperation and understanding, and your steadfast commitment to our mission of improving the health of all.
David
__________________________
David Page
Director, Whitehead Institute
Professor of Biology, Massachusetts Institute of Technology
Investigator, Howard Hughes Medical Institute