Traveling together, safely
With tours beginning to run in a variety of destinations, your students’ health and well-being continues to be our top priority. We are taking the necessary steps to help keep EF groups as safe as possible, and our thoughtful approach to travel means you can once again explore the world with confidence.
We’re proud to have earned the World Travel & Tourism Council’s Safe Travels stamp—the world’s first-ever global safety and hygiene stamp for Travel & Tourism, designed specifically to address COVID-19 and similar outbreaks.
Additionally, we received a TOURCARE stamp from the United States Tour Operators Association, an international travel and tourism association and fellow recipient of the Safe Travels stamp. This TOURCARE stamp further recognizes the proactive measures we’re taking to protect the well-being of our travelers.
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EF COVID Care Promise
Provided to all groups departing through Sept 30, 2023
If a traveler develops symptoms of COVID-19 while on tour, we will help to facilitate medical attention and testing for the traveler. If, ultimately, the traveler tests positive, our exclusive EF COVID Care Promise will cover the cost of hotel and meals during the isolation period, as well as support from an EF representative.
If a traveler is diagnosed with COVID-19 while on tour, EF will provide or arrange for the following, consistent with local requirements, at no additional expense to the traveler throughout the duration of any on-tour quarantine period:
- Lodging and meals
- EF representatives available to support the traveler and to coordinate with local authorities on their behalf where necessary
- Assistance connecting with local health care providers
- Translation services
- Communication between the traveler and the traveler’s family back home
- EF-arranged flights home, based on existing itinerary, for the traveler once cleared to return
- If the diagnosed traveler is a minor, flights for their parent or guardian to join them at the tour location
If a traveler or group is not diagnosed with, yet is required to quarantine on account of, COVID-19 while on tour, EF will provide or arrange for the following, consistent with local requirements, at no additional expense to the travelers throughout the duration of any on-tour quarantine period:
- Lodging and meals
- EF representatives available to support the traveler or group and to coordinate with local authorities on their behalf where necessary
- Assistance connecting with local health care providers
- Translation services
- Communication between the traveler or group and their family or families back home
- EF-arranged flights home for the traveler or group once cleared to return
COVID-19 Travel Guidelines
In order to maintain as safe of an environment as possible, we urge all travelers to review our COVID-19 Travel Guidelines. You will have access to review the guidelines 30 days prior to departure on your traveler secure site.
Pre-tour testing
For their safety, we strongly recommend that all travelers receive a negative COVID-19 test 24 hours prior to travel. Some destinations and suppliers on the tour itinerary may require that travelers receive and carry proof on tour of a negative COVID-19 test administered prior to travel. We will notify Group Leaders and Travelers in writing if any testing measures are necessary for their specific itinerary.
Vaccines
Some countries, suppliers and/or airlines may require proof of vaccination. Our offices around the world are continuing to monitor destination-specific information, and we will provide guidance on what may be required in order to travel closer to a group’s departure date, since regulations are changing so rapidly.
Your on-tour experience
We do everything we can to maintain the integrity of our tour experiences, and our travelers’ safety comes first. Our on-the-ground presence in the areas where we travel means we’re continuously working with our local partners, such as special sites and restaurants, to provide as safe an experience as possible.
Global partnerships
We have strong, long-established relationships with some of the largest airline, hotel, and transportation companies, global governmental agencies, and health organizations. These partnerships, along with our leadership roles in major industry organizations, mean that we are actively shaping new worldwide health and safety standards.
Masks & hand sanitizer on tour
If required by local or vendor regulations, masks must be worn, including on coach buses and COVID-19 testing sites. We ask that travelers bring their own face masks and personal hand sanitizers on tour.
Hotels
We partner with hotels that practice enhanced safety measures such as frequent cleaning of common areas and thoroughly disinfecting rooms between guests.
Dedicated motorcoach
Each day, your bus will be thoroughly cleaned. Bus drivers will be trained in best practices by vetted suppliers to provide the safest possible environment for all travelers.
Tour Director & local staff
Your Tour Director and our Safety and Incident Response Team are trained on how to support travelers should any member of your group feel ill during your trip.
Illness on tour
If a traveler is diagnosed with COVID-19 while on tour, the traveler diagnosed with COVID-19 will be required to isolate based on the guidance of the destination they are in. The remainder of the tour group will be required to quarantine on tour and adhere to testing guidelines for COVID-19, in accordance with local guidelines. As a reminder, EF’s exclusive COVID Care Promise is provided to all groups to offer support in this instance.
Looking ahead
As we enhance and innovate on our own health and safety protocols, we’ll continue to monitor guidance from local and federal authorities in the U.S. and internationally. We will incorporate new procedures where appropriate as part of the comprehensive safety measures that are standard on every EF tour.
Still have questions? Ask away.
Contact our Traveler Support Team at 800-665-5364, or browse our “How it works” pages for more on our policies around safety, flexibility, and support.
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