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Duke Adds Travel Restrictions for Hong Kong, Chile, Bolivia, Lebanon

Due to ongoing protests and civil unrest, students on Duke-supported programs will not be able to travel to Hong Kong SAR, Chile, Bolivia and Lebanon, joining a list of destinations that are reviewed on a regular basis by the Provost’s Global Travel Advisory Committee (GTAC).

The restrictions mean students cannot go to these countries on Duke-sponsored travel unless a petition to waive the restriction is granted by the Provost, though transit through the Hong Kong airport to other locations is still permitted. There is a separate waiver process for undergraduate students and graduate and professional students. Personal and family travel is not affected.

Twelve Duke students had been enrolled this semester in Hong Kong University, which recently suspended the remainder of the fall semester and permitted academic coursework to be completed online. The Duke students have since returned to Durham.

Christy Parrish, travel policy administrator and senior manager of the Global Administration and Travel Support office, said Bolivia and Lebanon are also popular travel destinations for Duke faculty, staff and students, but political unrest and protests in those countries blocked roads and compromised emergency travel options.

“That’s a key factor we take into account,” said Parrish. “If emergency services or potential evacuations are obstructed, we have to consider the safety of our students, faculty and staff first. If someone can’t get a taxi, that’s a headache. But if someone can’t get an ambulance, that’s an emergency.”

Parrish said the Global Travel Advisory Committee will continue to monitor the situation in these countries, seeking guidance from its travel assistance provider and in consideration of various governmental warnings and advisories.

More information is available on Duke’s Global Administrative and Travel Support website at travel.duke.edu, and further questions about Duke’s travel policies can be directed to Parrish at christy.parrish@duke.edu.