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Your Questions Answered

Covid FAQs
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Your health is our highest priority throughout the entirety of your trip. While we have turned a corner from the worst of Covid, the virus continues to evolve and spread. We are constantly monitoring and adapting to the situation and we will do everything within our power to ensure you have a safe, enjoyable, and fun trip with FTLO.

Covid Trip Restrictions

1. What are the current Covid restrictions in the places you run trips?

FTLO defers to local authorities on restrictions related to Covid.

 

In the majority of our destinations, Covid restrictions (testing and vaccination requirements for entry, masking, and distancing in public spaces) have been lifted. Accordingly, in these locations, FTLO does not require any of these measures.

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However, certain regulations are still in place in some of our destinations, and our travelers are expected to adhere to them.

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For the most up-to-date info, check out this helpful map from Sherpa. You should also check the trip page for your destination on our website under the “Trip Notes” section.

FTLO Safety Measures

2. What safety measures is FTLO taking?

In lieu of our previous Covid requirements, FTLO asks all our travelers to sign a Health Declaration Form, the goal of which is to help us as we try to ensure the safest possible environment not only for our travelers but also for our Trip Leaders and the local communities they visit during their trip.

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The Health Declaration Form states that you have not been exposed to Covid recently nor exhibited any symptoms. It also asks travelers to acknowledge that if they test positive for Covid or exhibit Covid symptoms during their trip, they may be asked to leave the trip and/or seek medical attention (see FAQ #5: “What happens if I get Covid on my trip?”). We encourage you to read the Health Declaration Form before booking and contact us with any questions you may have.

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Our health and safety protocols are constantly revised and adapted based on local and international guidelines, and we constantly work with our suppliers to ensure that they are in line with the CDC and WTTC hospitality sanitation standards.

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Our Trip Leaders' number one priority is making sure everyone is healthy and safe. Throughout your trip, they will work diligently to keep any risks as low as possible. If anyone falls ill, we have action plans in place, details on what travelers need to do, and information on local testing centers.

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3. Will I be required to take a Covid test or be vaccinated against Covid before joining a trip?

As of July 1st, 2023, FTLO no longer requires travelers to take Covid tests before their trips begin, nor do we require travelers to be vaccinated against Covid. Please check each trip page on our website for specific requirements in the "Trip Notes" section.

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As vaccinations are no longer required, we can’t guarantee that your roommate will be vaccinated. If this is of concern to you, you may ask to book a single room for the duration of your trip.

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Please note: in certain destinations, while a vaccine may not be required for entry, it may be required to participate in certain activities. We will try to offer alternatives to the best of our ability but cannot make guarantees and cannot provide refunds for any activities you are unable to participate in because of your vaccination status.

Covid Test and Vaccine

4. What happens if I am experiencing symptoms on a trip?

While we’ve rounded the corner from the worst of the pandemic, your health remains our number one priority. As positive cases can derail the trip for the entire group, we ask that every traveler be honest and upfront if they are experiencing symptoms.

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In the event that you feel sick or display signs of illness, your Trip Leader will ask you to get tested for Covid, and you will need to receive a negative result to continue your trip. Your Trip Leader will help you find a testing center and, if necessary, a nearby clinic, and our team will support you along the way to ensure everything is as simple and straightforward as possible.

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Please note that if you test positive for Covid, you may be asked to leave the trip and/or seek medical attention (see FAQ #5: “What happens if I get Covid on my trip?”).

Experiencing Symptoms

5. What happens if I get Covid while on a trip?

While no longer considered a serious threat in most countries, Covid still exists, and there is a chance that you could contract it during your trip.

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If, at any point on the trip, you start exhibiting symptoms of Covid, you will be asked to take a rapid antigen test. Should you test positive, your Trip Leader may ask you to isolate or leave the trip for the safety of the other travelers and/or seek medical attention.

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Depending on the local regulations, you may be required to quarantine at a hotel. We will do our best to assist you with this process and provide whatever documentation is required by your travel insurance provider.

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The rest of the group will also be informed of the situation so they may test if they would like. Our company policy is to only require people exhibiting symptoms to take a test, although certain destinations may require all close contacts to test.

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Currently, the rules and regulations in most countries differ from one another and are in a constant state of flux. While we cannot guarantee a certain accommodation or length of stay if you fall ill, we do want to stress again that we will do absolutely everything we can to support you even if you are unable to continue the trip.

For the most up-to-date info on country requirements, check out this helpful map from Sherpa. You should also check the trip page for your destination on our website under the “Trip Notes” section.

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Although we are not currently offering refunds for missed activities, hotel changes, or early departures, we will help you put together whatever documentation is needed to request compensation from your travel insurance.

Covid on a Trip
Worsened Covid situation

6. What if the Covid situation worsens again and certain countries close their borders?

FTLO is a US-based company and is currently running trips to countries open to American travelers. If the Covid situation changes within any country we are running excursions to, we will adapt accordingly.

7. What is your refund policy if I get Covid before the trip and cancel?

If you cancel a trip before departure, our regular cancelation terms apply. We will help you put together whatever documentation is needed to request compensation from your travel insurance.

Refund Policy

8. Will my insurance cover me if I get Covid while I am on the trip?

We require that all travelers purchase travel insurance. Make sure that you double-check with your provider and carefully read your policy before purchasing to understand exactly what is covered, as all policies are different.

Insurance Coverage

9 What is the Health Declaration Form?

While FTLO no longer requires travelers to test negative for Covid before a trip, we do require all travelers to fill out the Health Declaration Form, the goal of which is to help us as we try to ensure the safest possible environment not only for our travelers but also for our Trip Leaders and the local communities they visit during their trip.

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The Health Declaration Form states that you have not been exposed to Covid recently nor exhibited any symptoms. It also asks travelers to acknowledge that if they test positive for Covid during their trip, they may be asked to leave the trip (see FAQ #5: “What happens if I get Covid on my trip?”). We encourage you to read the Health Declaration Form before booking and contact us with any questions you may have.

Health Declaratio Form
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