The safety of members of The University of Texas Medical Branch is our highest priority.
In November 2024, Governor Greg Abbott issued Executive Order GA-48 to protect Texas. View UTMB guidance on GA-48 restrictions.
In May 2026, The University of Texas System Chancellor John M. Zerwas, MD, issued an update to systemwide work-related restrictions.
- Travel to Lebanon, Iraq, Yemen, Syria, Iran, Israel, the West Bank, Gaza, Jordan, the UAE, Qatar, Oman, Bahrain, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, Russia, Ukraine, and Belarus continues to be suspended until further notice. If UTMB determines there is a business or research need that warrants an exception to the suspension, the following is required:
- Travel must be approved by the International Oversight Committee (IOC) and the UTMB President. This authority cannot be delegated. If an exception is to be granted, the UTMB President must provide notice to the Executive Vice Chancellor (EVC) for Health Affairs or Academic Affairs as appropriate, and the Chief Risk Officer at least two weeks prior to the trip departure date unless there are special circumstances requiring less notice.
- The UTMB Export Control expert and Office of Legal Affairs must review any such travel requests to ensure that neither the institution nor the traveler violates any applicable sanctions with respect to financial transactions or engages with any sanctioned person or entity and ensure regulatory compliance to mitigate institutional risk. The IOC must reference review by Export Control and Legal Affairs in any approval documentation.
- Effective immediately, travel to Moldova, Egypt, Cyprus, and Turkey will no longer require approval by both the IOC and the President. UTS 190, International Travel Policy criteria will determine whether or not IOC review and approval is required.
- Considering the resumption of some commercial flights in the region, travel through one of the named countries no longer requires following the same elevated approval guidelines set forth in this memorandum.
- These restrictions will be reviewed by UT System within the next 60 days, or sooner as deemed appropriate, to determine whether updates are warranted.