Coronavirus Travel advice

9th September 2021

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Department for Education (DfE) travel advice for educational settings 

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On 19 July 2021 the DfE updated its travel advice and confirmed that schools can take educational trips abroad, subject to prevailing travel restrictions at home and abroad. The department also confirmed that schools can plan and book new trips abroad from the autumn term.

 

Foreign Office and Government travel restrictions 

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We inform our planning based on guidance from the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCO). This is the government authority on safety, security and entry requirements for British people travelling overseas. SLT Tours will not operate a trip to any country against FCO travel advice.

 

Individual countries have their own restrictions for incoming travellers currently based on country of origin, vaccination status and age of traveler.

 

* Where individual country COVID restrictions include mandatory Antigen and/or PCR testing these costs will necessarily rest with the travelling school or organisation but any arrangements will be fully supported by your SLT account manager.

 

The latest information can be checked here 

 

SLT Tours

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At SLT Tours we understand that the thought of running a group travel experience in 2022 will undoubtedly bring up a lot more questions from yourself than in previous years. We know that  schools will obviously be concerned about financial risk because of changing travel rules and regulations.

*Please review our revised terms and conditions which we advise that you read in detail.

There is still availability and it’s not too late to make plans for 2022 and beyond. Our tour specialists are available now to help you plan and reserve a tour and agree inclusions without financial obligation at this time. Ready to book?

 

Further down the line if as a result of governmental intervention it is not possible for your trip to go ahead and we are not able to agree a satisfactory amendment to your tour, you will be entitled to a full refund of any monies paid. 

 

Also if your trip is cancelled due to any prevailing COVID-19 restrictions within 28 days of travel, and you are unable to claim from your insurance, then we guarantee to either find you a suitable alternative, or refund your group in full.

 

Please consider  your own travel insurance requirements at the time of booking. We recommend that you check what COVID cover is provided by any existing school insurance prior to booking.

 

We will of course be able to assist with sourcing the appropriate level of insurance cover should you require this assistance.

 

Additionally If you have to change your plans because of COVID-19, we will agree to postpone a trip if requested at any time between 10  weeks and 28 days of planned departure.There will be no additional fees if you seek this delay to a later date due to COVID-19. 

 

These conditions will apply to all new bookings made between 11th September and 30th November for travel in 2021/22

 

In the event that your school insurance will not cover COVID travel cancellation, then your group is eligible for a full refund if any of the following applies within 28 days of your planned departure:

 

• The FCO advises against all but essential travel to your chosen destination

• The Department for Education recommends against taking school trips to your chosen destination

• Local or national restrictions at your destination will impact the main purpose of  your trip

• Your group is required to quarantine on your return due to the UK government COVID conditions

• Local or national lockdowns in the UK will prevent your departure

Normal cancellation terms and conditions apply if:

 

• Individual travellers decide to pull out of the trip

• You cancel the booking more than 28 days before the group is due to depart

• You are in arrears with your agreed payment schedule. In order to be eligible for such refund the agreed payment schedule must be adhered to

• Your school/college insurance will cover your COVID cancellation claim

We want you to feel secure in making a booking with us. As long as the official FCO restrictions prevent your trip from going ahead we will ensure you are not financially penalised. The timeframe for refunds will depend on how quickly we can get refunds from our suppliers but we will endeavour to get all monies back to you where possible within 28 days of cancellation.

 

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

 

What will happen if whilst we are away there is a lockdown at our destination or one which affects our journey home?

If this happens we will necessarily manage it on a case by case basis.  Our tour manager is there to deal with any issues that arise and you won’t be alone on a trip. All options would be considered against changing scenarios including contingencies to return your group home as quickly as possible to avoid any restrictions. Having our tour manager with the group in constant dialogue with the group organiser and SLT Tours in the UK will make sure the situation is dealt with quickly and efficiently.

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What happens if one of our travelling party can not travel due to testing positive for Covid-19?

In such circumstances this would be treated like any other injury or illness which prevented an individual from attending the trip or going to school for example. To assist we would nevertheless support in facilitating name changes to be made free of charge if the reason is that the travelling person has Coronavirus or Covid-19. For all other reasons there would still be a charge to change the name in some circumstances where we incur costs from our suppliers.

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If there is a quarantine period enforced from a destination we are travelling to either before or after we depart what impact will that have on the trip?

We will follow all government and travel advice; a quarantine period does not necessarily mean that travel is not allowed but we understand your group may not want to be forced into a quarantine position by going on a trip. We will liaise with the group organiser and make the decision if the trip can go ahead or not. If not feasible we would look to reschedule the trip for a future date free of charge.

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What safety measures are SLT Tours putting in place to make sure the trips are Covid secure?

As with all businesses and organisations the COVID picture is an ever evolving one. What we are doing is to ensure we are current as regards all official advice both in the UK and also pertaining to some of our most popular travel destinations. We will adhere to all Covid related regulations for travel and accommodation and provide all cleaning and sanitary care as advised by professionals. Having a dedicated account manager and tour manager whilst away will allow for the open dialogue throughout the booking and travel processes to hopefully put your mind at rest.

 

What happens if someone gets Covid while abroad?

In the unfortunate event of this occurring your tour manager will be on hand to initially secure local access to the appropriate health services. We would also assist with addressing local COVID requirements and would where appropriate and possible arrange for any early repatriation of those affected.

 

What provisions and protections are there, if any, to cover participants required to self-isolate upon return to the UK, if restrictions are imposed whilst we’re abroad?

There is obviously a finite amount of contingency measures that can be catered for in the current situation. Whilst every effort would be made to reduce any impact on return to the UK such as the timings of any return, if legal requirements are such that require measures such as quarantine, this responsibility is down to individual compliance and would be outside the control of SLT Tours.

 

We look forward to working with groups, school and teams again in 2021 and beyond and if you have any questions relating to the impact of Covid-19 and Coronavirus on a possible trip please don't hesitate to get in touch with one of our team directly or by emailing info@slttours.co.uk