Summer Term 2021 Mobility/Travel Update

Western University will extend the suspension of all outbound international university-sanctioned student travel until August 31, 2021. With the ongoing uncertainty about the future development of the pandemic, we unfortunately do not see any reasonable scope for lifting any of the restrictions yet. University-sanctioned international travel refers to any activities involving travel outside of Canada that have been approved, authorized, and/or supported by a Western University unit, department, staff, and/or faculty member. This decision was made in line with the Canadian Government travel advisories and Safety Abroad considerations. 

Students who planned on travelling abroad during the summer are encouraged to work with their program coordinators, supervisors, academic units, and Western International to explore alternative options such as postponing travel to a later date or undertaking the activity remotely without travelling internationally. If there are exceptional circumstances for your travel plans in the summer you wish to discuss, please contact travelregistry@uwo.ca.    

As this continues to be an evolving situation with the unpredictability of new COVID-19 variants, it is possible that we can review the extension of the travel restrictions if the conditions improved sufficiently.  As to any travel plans in the fall term, we are advising students not make any travel arrangements or other financial commitments affecting travel plans until further notice. 

Western is continuing to monitor developments and government directives as they evolve and will share any updates on student international travel as they become available. 

Britta Baron

Vice-Provost and Associate Vice-President (International)