It is important that lecturers and study abroad managers as well as students are aware of what is needed when planning a faculty-led trip abroad. Travelling has changed greatly during the coronavirus (Covid-19) pandemic and travellers should put safety first now more than ever during international trips. Travelling as a group is stressful at any time and the pandemic has worsened the situation. Extreme caution is now required when travelling as a group and planning is a necessity as it ensures everyone’s safety & good health. Here are some of the things lecturers and study abroad managers should know when planning a faculty-led trip abroad during a pandemic.
TRAVEL REGULATIONS AND RULES
The travel rules and regulations are different in each country as countries were affected differently by COVID-19 (a no-brainer really, but still worth mentioning). It’s essential to know whether you are required to quarantine or not, whether there are special facilities for quarantine, the length of the quarantine and whether you are responsible for any costs. Entry and Exit requirements are one of the important things that should guide lecturers when planning. The Center for Disease Control provides information for travellers and of course blogs like ours help by summarising the most important information.
In Zimbabwe, the government requires one to present a negative PCR COVID-19 test result issued within the previous 48-hours. The government provides no option for testing for such travellers once you have arrived at the port of entry, so don’t chance it! When travelling to Zimbabwe a health declaration form should be signed before arrival but can also be completed while going through the Covid-19 screening process before going through immigration. Study abroad managers should ensure that students have trusted travel insurance such as World Nomads.
SAFETY AND HEALTH
When planning a faculty-led trip abroad, it’s vital to be fully aware of and have contingencies in place. In addition to taking care of the academic side of the study abroad trip, professors will have to emphasise that students limit contact with frequently touched surfaces such as handrails, chairs and tables. Wearing a surgical or 3-layered cloth face mask correctly and consistently, whilst maintaining a distance of two metres will help to stay safe. Lecturers and study abroad managers should ensure that students bring hand sanitizer that they can keep in their bags or pockets. It’s important to know how the country you are visiting is trying to minimise the spread of the virus and if the hospitals are fully equipped to take in COVID patients.
The governments are minimising infection by limiting the number of people that can be at a gathering to 30 (as of publication date of this piece). The Government of Zimbabwe is ensuring that the doctors at hospitals have the necessary protective equipment for them to work safely and the Ministry of Health and Child `Care was provided with digital X-ray systems, bedside monitors, defibrillators and blood gas analysers by the Government of Japan. The essential equipment enables the recipient hospital to have increased capacities to treat COVID patients. The information will be very important in case of any emergencies during the trip. We explain more about how we at Tiritose Sustainable Travel are prepared for post-coronavirus operations here.
It is also important to know if all the destinations explored during the trip are safe to visit and make sure they have enough sanitizers and water for the group. The sanitizer should be placed at every entrance of each building and the temperature should be tested. Refilled bottles are meant for circulation for up to 90 days. Reviewing the World Health Organisation destinations COVID-19 Travel Health Notice level weekly will help lecturers choose the safest destination. Faculty-led group leaders should make sure that the different places where students will be working are not crowded and whether or not people can socially distance themselves. A maximum of 10 is only allowed to be in one room. Currently, one vaccine is authorised and recommended by CDC which is the Pfizer-BioNTech and is 95 per cent effective against COVID. COVID-19 vaccination is a safer way to build one’s immunity after taking the required two shots.
SAFETY PRECAUTIONS WHEN TRAVELLING
RISK FACTORS
When planning a study abroad faculty-led trip during COVID-19, be aware of risk factors such as the current health status of the students. Taking note of each student’s current and previous health conditions is important as it is believed that people with pre-existing conditions are more vulnerable. It would not be a wise decision to bring students who suffer from other illnesses as one’s health comes first in these hard times. Faculty-led leaders and supervisors should insist students complete pre-departure health forms correctly. Older people and those with pre-existing conditions are more likely to develop severe symptoms. The different pre-existing conditions include heart disease, high blood pressure, and diabetes and kidney disease. Knowing the different health conditions will be very important when planning as all necessary medication will be purchased before the trip to make sure everyone benefits from the trip. Worry not when coming to Zimbabwe, we have consistently been ranked the top destination that is safe to travel post-covid-19.
LOCAL BUSINESS POLICIES
Reviewing local policies is very important as many things have changed to meet the COVID-19 safety requirements. Lodging policies have changed and most have limited the guest occupancies. It is very important to secure an accommodation option that can accommodate groups whilst adhering to COVID safety precautions. The best thing to do is to book a private house that can accommodate all the students, which creates a safe bubble, hence protects them and yourself.
Tiritose Sustainable Travel as part of the COVID-19 policy, we provide isolation and quarantine rooms at our accommodation. Hotels may seem like the best option, however, they are expensive, and students may get into contact with various people whose medical history is unknown. Knowing the curfew of a certain destination is very important as it helps when preparing the itinerary and making sure every relevant activity is allocated at the right time. In Zimbabwe, there is a night curfew between 6pm and 6am.
BEST MODE OF TRANSPORT
Study abroad managers should choose the safest mode of transportation. Try to avoid public transport, where physical distancing may be difficult for prolonged periods. If using public transport, follow key precautions – physical distancing, limit touching frequently touched surfaces and wash or sanitise your hands frequently. Keep a row of seats between yourself and other travellers. Lectures and study abroad managers should arrange with rental companies, review photos of vehicles to be used before finalising a booking. Just to be sure, even if you have used the local providers during previous trips, run the itinerary and sequence of events with your campus Risk Advisors/Analysts. When using a vehicle from a rental company, stops should be minimised and make sure the necessary food is bought in advance. Airlines have updated their cancellation policies and banned certain routes. Lecturers should constantly check if the airline has changed any policies. At Tiritose Sustainable Travel, we have a new Cancellations and Refund Policy as well, which you should look at to stay updated.
BEFORE DEPARTURE
Temperature checks should be conducted before departing any place. Study abroad managers should make sure each traveller has had their temperature checked and receive verbal confirmation that all participants are free of symptoms. A staff member should be responsible for ensuring that students have the emergency pack on hand throughout the trip.
COVID EMERGENCY PACK; what we recommend…
WHAT TO DO AFTER THE TRIP?
After you return home, follow recommendations or requirements from your national or local authorities, and continue to follow all the key precautions. Study abroad managers and parents should continuously watch for any symptoms of COVID-19 and seek medical advice should they develop. The COVID common symptoms are a dry cough, fever, loss of taste or smell, aches and pains, headache, sore throat, nasal congestion, red eyes, diarrhoea, skin rash. and tiredness.
Planning is key to group travel and lecturers should consider the travel regulations that have been put in place to minimise the spread of COVID. When planning a faculty-led trip it is important to work with a local operator and ensure that the best accommodation and transportation is used to ensure the safety of everyone. Group travel is very stressful during the pandemic and the only way to make it easier is to follow the set rules to avoid any inconveniences. It is important to frequently check new updated policies for effective planning.
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