Updated Guidance on Out-of-State Travel and Testing
Dear UMB Community,
In my letter July 4, I shared guidance related to the Maryland Department of Health (MDH) directive, which recommends, but does not require, that people who travel outside of Maryland be tested for COVID-19 upon their return. I wish to provide you with additional guidance regarding testing.
- Do not come to the University of Maryland, Baltimore (UMB) campus if you experience symptoms compatible with COVID-19. Contact your health care provider or UMaryland Immediate Care at 667-214-1899.
- Essential UMB faculty and staff, and on-campus students who have COVID-19 symptoms should call the UMB COVID-19 Hotline at 800-701-9863.
If you do not have symptoms, but want to be tested following out-of-state travel, we ask that you seek testing at one of the following locations. Note that testing for those who traveled out of state should occur between five to seven days after return and not before.
- Your primary care provider.
- Baltimore Convention Center Field Hospital. Make an appointment here.
- Columbia Vehicle Emissions Inspection Program (VEIP), Waldorf VEIP, and Pimlico Race Course. Make an appointment here.
- Baltimore County testing sites, including the Timonium fairgrounds. Make an appointment here.
- MDH list of all active COVID testing sites in Maryland.
Below are some frequently asked questions about travel and testing.
Q. Do I have to be tested at a UMB-designated testing site?
A. No. If you have no symptoms and want to be tested after out-of-state travel, we ask that you use one of many options listed above.
Q. Can you please clarify the suggestion that Marylanders who travel out of state should get a COVID test upon return?
A. The MDH order states that Marylanders who travel our of state "should" get tested, but there is no legal requirement to do so.
Q. What if I travel only within Maryland?
A. If you do not leave the state, you do not need to be tested, provided you don’t have any COVID-19 symptoms and did not come into close contact with someone who has tested positive for COVID-19 within the last 14 days.
Q. What if I live in a surrounding state and travel to Maryland for work?
A. Out-of-state travel to and from work is covered under the UMB/University of Maryland Medical System travel policy. It is not recommended that you be tested if you have no symptoms and did not come into close contact with someone who has tested positive for COVID-19 within the last 14 days.
I hope that this information is helpful and that you stay safe and healthy.
Sincerely,
Bruce E. Jarrell, MD, FACS
Interim President
