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COVID-19 Policy and Guest Responsibility Acknowledgement
TOUR-SPECIFIC PROTOCOLS
• America's Southwest: A Luxury Train Adventure
• Antarctica Discovery
• Civil Rights—A Journey to Freedom
• Death Valley, Yosemite and the Great Parks of California
• Discover the Canadian Rockies by Rail
• Discover Denali National Park
• Discover Egypt & the Nile Valley
• Egypt and the Ancient Nile River
• Discover Southeast Alaska (JUN-SIT)
• Discover Southeast Alaska (SIT-JUN)
• Flavors of Catalonia
• Flavors of Chianti
• Flavors of Dordogne
• Flavors of Northern Italy
• Flavors of Sicily
• Intriguing India
• Journey Through Israel
• Kenya Safari: The Big 5
• National Parks & Lodges of the Old West
• Northern Lights and the Wildlife of Northern Manitoba
• Passions & Pursuits: Golfing in Southern France
• Polar Bears & Beluga Whales
• Polar Bears of Churchill
• Southwest National Parks
• Stunning Scotland
• Tanzania Wildlife Safari
• The Galapagos Islands—Northern Itinerary
• The Galapagos Islands—Western Itinerary
• Toronto to Vancouver by Rail
• Vancouver to Toronto by Rail
• Wolves and Wildlife of Yellowstone (BZN-JAC)
• Wolves and Wildlife of Yellowstone (JAC-BZN)
The health and well-being of our travelers, our team, and the communities we visit remain our top priority. The information below outlines the actions we are taking for you.
This page, as well as the tour-specific protocol pages, is updated as new information becomes available from local, state, and international agencies. These pages are only intended to serve as a resource for our guests. Refer to the official U.S. State Department website and the Center for Disease Control (CDC) website for the most current and accurate information related to travel.
Based on current CDC recommendations and international industry standards, our team has worked with our suppliers, Expedition Leaders and Travel Directors to develop enhanced health and hygiene protocols for the safety of our guests that will be implemented while on tour. These protocols, including enhanced sanitization processes and physical distancing on motor coaches and excursions, will be shared in detail with guests in advance of the final payment due dates and are included with final documents.
Our Expedition Leaders and Travel Directors have been trained in implementing these enhanced precautions aimed at helping our guests travel in comfort and with peace of mind. Our team will work to create a safe and enjoyable experience and should the unlikely happen, is prepared to respond and assist guests while on tour. In addition, our team on the ground is in contact with Orbridge headquarters 24/7 while guests are on tour.
Arriving to a Tour
We are requiring all guests to provide proof of COVID-19 vaccination administered no less than two weeks prior to arrival on tour, including at least two doses when it is a two-dose vaccine or one dose if it is a one-dose vaccine. Guests are required to bring and present a paper or digital copy of their COVID-19 vaccination card, including any boosters. This requirement will be verified by the on-tour travel leader. This policy is subject to change depending on conditions and guidance available at the time of scheduled travel. All travelers, including Orbridge Travel Leaders, will be required to follow this protocol
COVID-19 Vaccination Booster
The CDC is currently recommending a booster shot for all adults 18 and over who received their COVID-19 vaccinations more than 6 months ago. We recommend checking with your doctor to find out if getting a booster shot two or more weeks before your travel begins is possible and advisable. Click here to learn more from the CDC.
Note that destination specific requirements may vary and must be followed by all guests in order to permit entry into the respective states and/or countries. Any destination specific requirements will be shared with guests prior to departure and are always accessible at Orbridge.com/Wellness.
Health and Hygiene While on Tour
Guests will be asked to follow these guidelines:
- Clean your hands often, with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, especially after you have been in a public place, after touching surfaces frequently touched by others, after blowing your nose, coughing or sneezing, and before touching your face or eating.
- If soap and water are not available, as while onboard the motor coach or similar, use a hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol. Cover all surfaces of your hands and rub your hands together until they feel dry.
- Avoid touching your eyes, nose, or mouth.
- Cover coughs and sneezes with a tissue and then throw the tissue in the trash.
- Avoid close contact with others and maintain a distance of 6 feet between you and others outside of your family group when possible.
- Guests are encouraged to wear face masks when with the group or in public spaces.
- We suggest avoiding handshakes. Perhaps consider greeting your fellow travelers with a hello and a smile or a nod.
- We recommend opening doors with your closed fist or hip or hold with a tissue. Try not to grasp the handle with your hand unless there is no other way to open the door. Be extra careful when using bathroom and commercial doors.
- In your hotel rooms or ship staterooms, be mindful to wash your hands after touching door knobs, light switches, luggage handles, and zippers, the TV remote, or telephone. Use knuckles or elbows to touch elevator buttons.
Motor Coach Protocol
Orbridge is maintaining a database with the cleaning protocols for all of our vendors. We have established that motor coach operators will meet the below minimum standards:
- HVAC systems will be specially filtered and running at all times to continually refresh cabin air.
- Fogger-mist systems will be used between group charters for sanitizing cabin and luggage compartments.
- Drivers will sanitize all common areas each time guests are absent from vehicles.
Dining Protocol
- Prepared take-away meals may be necessary in place of buffet or self-serve options.
- Limited capacity and staggered meal times may apply due to local ordinances.
- Restaurants may vary and are subject to change based on hours of operation.
Hotel and Villa Protocol
- Hotels may minimize select amenities in rooms in order to streamline sanitization. These amenities will still typically be available upon request.
- Touchless practices when available will be utilized, for check-in, payments, tickets, and waivers.
- Pools, spas, fitness centers, and other hotel amenities may be closed per local ordinances.
Air Travel Protocol
- As of June 12, 2022, the United States no longer requires air passengers traveling from a foreign country to present a negative COVID-19 test or documentation from recovery for entry.
- Specific protocols and expectations for air travel vary by airline, but standard protocols in place typically include flight attendants and guests being required to wear face masks, sanitizing all surfaces between flights, minimizing traditional in-flight service amenities, and physical distancing. Visit your airline’s website or contact them directly for specific information.
What You Can Do
Especially in this time of great change, we remain steadfast in our commitment to provide guests with memorable, enriching, and educational experiences around the globe. There are small steps you can take to help ensure the well-being of yourself and fellow travelers:
- To ensure your peace of mind, we encourage you to purchase travel insurance that meets your needs. Our Guest Services team or your organization can provide further details.
- If you are experiencing COVID-19 symptoms or are feeling ill, remain at home.
- Bring a mask or face covering from home and wear it as often as possible, especially when physical distancing may be difficult.
- Be cognizant of physical distancing from fellow travelers, giving at least six feet of space when possible.
- Follow the suggested guidelines above regarding personal sanitizing.
Before your departure, you will receive the latest information and guidelines concerning the protocols required at each destination.
COVID-19 Testing Locator Resources
Some destinations require arriving passengers to provide proof of a negative COVID-19 test. Refer to your specific tour’s wellness page to learn what requirements are in place for your destination. To help you find the testing you need, consider searching from the following resources.
SolvHealth – On this page, click the “COVID-19 Test” tab on where you can put in your location and search for COVID-19 tests near you. When you put in your location and search, it provides a list of nearby locations and the types of tests they provide, as well as availability.
Delta TrustAssure – This resource provides test scheduling with nearby providers by putting in your address and selecting filters such as the needed turnaround time needed and test type. While this site is accessed via the Delta Airlines website, you do not need to have a ticket with Delta Airlines to use this tool.
United TrustAssure – This resource provides test scheduling with nearby providers by putting in your address and selecting filters such as the needed turnaround time needed and test type. While this site is accessed via the United Airlines website, you do not need to have a ticket with United Airlines to use this tool.
XpresCheck – This testing provider has locations at select major U.S. airports. Availability and location within airports vary, as does the turnaround time and costs. Most locations do require appointments in advance.
The Points Guy – This is a continually updated article on a popular travel resource website that has a variety of resources, including airport testing sites, sites in some major metropolitan areas, and more.
Note: these resources are not managed, controlled or updated by Orbridge and are only provided to aid in your finding of appropriate COVID-19 testing. They are not intended to be a complete or comprehensive list of resources, but instead starting points to help you find COVID-19 testing sites.
Guests are strongly encouraged to review their travel insurance policy provisions as it relates to COVID-19. If your insurance provider requires a positive molecular test result to receive benefits related to COVID-19, we cannot guarantee that a molecular test will be readily available while on tour. Molecular tests are also known as nucleic acid amplification tests, and include PCR, LAMP, and CRISPR. For more information about different types of COVID-19 tests, visit the Johns Hopkins Center for Health Security.
Tour staff will work to assist guests in finding a nearby testing center and/or retail outlet that sells COVID-19 tests in the event a guest wishes to test for COVID-19 while on tour.