Travel safety

For staff members and Travel Organisers.
 

Risk assessment

Before every trip, it is mandatory to carry out a pre-travel risk assessment using the iSOS Travel risk map, which assigns each country both a security risk level and a health risk level.

To classify the risk of the trip, the Travel Organiser consults the Travel risk map, selects the destination country, and identifies the corresponding levels for health and security risk.

Based on the table below, the Travel Organiser assigns the risk level indicated in the Travel risk map to the corresponding risk level according to the internal scale defined by USI.

If the health and security risk levels indicated in the Travel risk map do not coincide, the Travel Organiser must select the higher of the two and use that level to proceed with the internal classification according to the USI scale.
 

NB: Travel Organisers are advised to verify, via the iSOS platform, the risk levels assigned to individual cities included in the itinerary. If a high, very high or extreme risk level applies to a specific city or to certain areas within it - even if the risk does not extend to the entire country - Travel Organisers are required to adopt appropriate precautionary measures and, unless strictly necessary, to avoid such areas. Visiting a city or areas thereof that present a very high or extreme degree of risk is, in any event, prohibited.

* Approval procedure

• Approval must be requested in writing from the Line Manager/Supervisor before submitting the travel booking request or making the booking.
• For travel to destinations classified as USI risk level 4, approval from the Dean of the Faculty must be requested in writing sufficiently in advance of the travel booking.
• Written approval from both the Line Manager/Supervisor and/or the Dean of the Faculty must be attached to the travel booking request form submitted to the travel booking officers, or, where applicable, to the reimbursement request.
• For travel booked well in advance, the Travel Organiser is required to re-check the risk level assigned to the destination country, and the cities to be visited, prior to departure. If the risk level has worsened, the relevant approvals must be sought before departure, or the trip must be cancelled if the risk level has risen to level 5.

The official "Provisions for Travel Risk Management" shall prevail.

For staff members and travel coordinators.
Students do not have direct access; they should obtain information from their Travel Organisers.

Before travelling

1. Consult the iSOS Travel risk map to determine the USI risk level and thus establish whether travel authorisation is required.
2.  If approval is required, request it through the official channels before proceeding to the next step. 
3. Visit the portal reserved for International SOS members: https://myportal.internationalsos.com/ and log in using USI Single Sign-On to:
   • consult guides, obtain cultural information, and find medical and security reports specific to your destination;
   • access daily updates on travel safety, unforeseen incidents and situational developments;
   • activate proactive alert notifications to stay informed with real-time medical and safety alerts;
   •  request pre-travel assistance and information, such as vaccinations, necessary medication and travel safety

     If this is your first time accessing the portal, you will be directed to the account setup page.
      If requested, your USI membership ID is: 22AGDA1086285IT
      

4. Download the free International SOS app via this: link, to be used before and during your trip:
   • you will be asked to enter your first name, surname, USI email address, telephone number and place of work;
   • the app allows you to check country-specific alerts, receive 24/7 support from assistance centres, and stay informed and prepared with real-time medical and safety alerts;
   • please remember to enable location services and notifications on your phone.
      
5. Prepare for your trip using the iSOS Digital Learning Portfolio, accessible via the following link: https://traininghub.internationalsos.com/mintra/p/USI
   • you will need to register on your first visit; synchronisation with USI’s Single Sign-On is not currently active;
   • inside, you will find training courses on important topics, specific to destination and risk: from travel planning to disease awareness and prevention, to first aid;
   • the courses can be accessed at any time and via various devices.

USI travellers can always contact any International SOS assistance centre to request information or assistance in the event of a need or emergency.

For example (non-exhaustive list):

• for advice on health, safety and security;
• to contact a doctor or request medication;
• to arrange repatriation.

Contact can be made by telephone or email using the details below, or via the ‘Call’ button within the iSOS Assistance App, which automatically connects the traveller to the nearest assistance centre.

iSOS contact details according to the traveller’s preferred language:

• Milano Assistance Center - for Italian and English
  +39 02 35 98 95 01
  [email protected]
• Paris Assistance Center - for French and English
  +33 (0) 155 633 232
  [email protected]
• Frankfurt Assistance Center - for German and English
  +49 6102 3588 100
  [email protected]

1. WHO IS ELIGIBLE TO USE INTERNATIONAL SOS SERVICES?

USI academic and administrative staff travelling abroad on behalf of USI are eligible for this service. USI students and non-contract staff benefit indirectly from the service when participating in trips, excursions or other mobility, study and/or research activities organised by USI and/or on behalf of USI. In these cases, the travel coordinators – i.e. those who liaise with iSOS – are not the students or staff members without an employment contract, but the trip organisers. The service does not cover personal travel. Visiting lecturers and professors who do not have an employment contract with USI are not eligible for the travel assistance service..

2. ARE THERE ANY COSTS ASSOCIATED WITH THIS SERVICE?

No, the services provided by International SOS (such as the information and advice available on the website, the smartphone app and the hotline) are free of charge for USI staff. USI students have access to information and advice via their Travel Coordinator and can contact the hotline in the event of an emergency. Services coordinated by International SOS, including medical consultations, hospital admissions and repatriation, may be covered by the professional travel insurance taken out by USI (only for those with an employment contract with USI). As students do not have an employment contract with USI, they are not covered by this insurance; we therefore advise this category of travellers to contact their insurance company to check what travel cover they have.

3. DOES THE TRAVEL ASSISTANCE SERVICE INCLUDE PROFESSIONAL TRAVEL INSURANCE?

Not directly. International SOS provides important information on health and safety risks you may encounter in your destination country and is also the first point of contact in the event of health or safety issues whilst travelling; their experts will offer advice and, if necessary, take emergency measures. USI offers professional travel insurance for those with an employment contract with USI, covering: trip cancellation due to accident or illness, transport to hospital and repatriation, repatriation in the event of death, search and rescue costs, hospital bed visits for up to two people, crisis protection, medical and hospital expenses abroad, and accident cover in the event of death or disability.

4. DOES USI OFFER PROFESSIONAL TRAVEL INSURANCE?

Yes, USI offers professional travel insurance for academic and administrative staff who have an employment contract with USI.
The travel insurance covers:

• travel cancellation costs due to illness, accident or maternity;
• additional costs in the event of a missed flight connection due to flight delays;
• transport costs to hospital and repatriation;
• search and rescue costs, hospital visits, emergency return and travel for replacements;
• protection in the event of a crisis;
• medical and hospital expenses abroad;
• accident cover in the event of death or disability;
• excess cover and supplementary third-party liability cover for hire cars.

For full details of the insurance benefits, please contact the HR Service.