At the height of the pandemic, the federal government expanded flexiblities for costs related to COVID-19 to help recipients of federal research funding cope with the impacts of the COVID-19 crisis (see OMB Memos M-20-17, M-20-20, M-20-26). Most of the flexibilities, including those related to travel, ended in 2020. Following is the current guidance on costs related to COVID-related quaratine costs while on university travel.
1. Travelers are advised that there is an inherent risk with university-related travel and COVID is no longer considered an unforeseen event. Travelers are responsible for assuming costs associated with COVID (i.e. quarantine related extension of hotel stay, meals, etc.).
Travelers can elect to obtain University Risk Management (URM) insurance.  The insurance URM purchases for business travelers only covers Covid quarantine costs if the person is medically mandated by a doctor to quarantine in a hospital under their supervision.
URM has updated its travel website to reflect the increased risk while on university-related travel.Some airlines and lodging companies offer travel insurance, which is not an allowable cost on sponsored projects.
2. Campus departments may choose to cover these costs from their own funding.
If departments decide to provide financial coverage for these expenses, it is preferred that non-general fund speedtypes are utilized.
3. COVID-related quarantine costs associated with travel continue to be unallowable on sponsored awards.
For additional information related to making determinations for the typical process of vaccination fees, etc., related to travel, reference the Procurement Service Center (PSC) Procecural Statement: Travel.