Think travel, think green: what you need to know

29 Oct 2021

With the UK government relaxing COVID-19 travel restrictions further, we have revised our guidance on UK and international travel

As we resume many of our usual activities, you may be thinking about travel within the UK or overseas.

We have revised our guidance on travel, but we’d like to remind colleagues who are thinking of travelling to consider sustainable options where possible, and to follow our approval process.

Think green – virtual first, low carbon route if travelling

Where travel is essential, explore the route and means of travel, or combine multiple trips into one where possible, to reduce the carbon footprint.

UK business travel, such as conferences, meetings and events

You should read a generic risk assessment for low risk business travel, or adapt a generic risk assessment with consideration of additional hazards or circumstances.     

Pre-travel approval for overseas business travel

Travel to a country of moderate / low risk:

• Review/adapt a generic risk assessment for overseas business travel with additional consideration of personal health risk, local COVID risks, health care infrastructure as well as restrictions for entry in country. Follow local approval procedures and make line manager aware of the trip

Travel to a country on the list of high risk countries:

• Prepare a specific risk assessment for high risk countries with additional consideration of personal health risk, local Covid risks, health care infrastructure as well as restrictions for entry in country. Seek specific approval from the Head of School/Directorate or their delegate.

Travel to areas where the FCDO has advised ‘against all travel’ or ‘against all but essential travel’:

• Prepare a specific risk assessment for high risk countries with additional consideration of personal health risk, local Covid risks, health care infrastructure as well as restrictions for entry in country. Seek specific approval from the Faculty Dean via the Head of School.

Fieldwork activities

Travellers and organisers must follow our University health and safety requirements.

• For fieldwork in the UK, use a generic risk assessment for low/moderate risk fieldwork in the UK.
• For low risk fieldwork outside the UK, use a generic fieldwork risk assessment outside of the UK.
• For high risk fieldwork outside the UK, use a specific risk assessment for high risk countries.

Further information:

• The approval process is summarised on our travel flowchart.
• Please visit our Export Controls - Travel and conferences page or our COVID-19 travel FAQs for more information.