Our Group Leaders are responsible for ensuring the welfare of the entire group and will make decisions with the best interests of the group in mind. We appreciate everyone’s cooperation in following our Group Leaders’ guidance and instruction to make your program as enjoyable — and safe — as possible.

Will Road Scholar require proof of COVID-19 vaccination to participate in programs?

Yes. While we will not require participants to submit proof of vaccination in advance of the program, participants must bring their original vaccination card to the program to demonstrate proof of vaccination. Participants who are unable to demonstrate proof of vaccination will not be permitted to participate in the program.

Why is Road Scholar requiring participants be vaccinated?

A Road Scholar program is a small, intimate group experience, and being vaccinated is vital to protecting ourselves, our families, and our communities from illness. We are guided by the Centers of Disease Control and Prevention, which states that being vaccinated for COVID-19 and other infectious diseases not only protects yourself and those close to you, it helps reduce spread of the disease in communities. For these simple yet crucial reasons, Road Scholar requires participants and Group Leaders to be vaccinated against COVID-19, and be up-to-date with all required and recommended vaccinations. For more information about the importance of vaccination, please visit:

CDC Benefits of Getting a COVID-19 Vaccine

CDC Reasons for Adults to be Vaccinated

Should I carry my original vaccination card when traveling, or will a copy or an electronic version be sufficient?

Participants should always travel with their original vaccination card. We also recommend that participants scan or photograph their cards and keep a digital copy somewhere that’s easily accessible should they lose or misplace their original card. 

Will Road Scholar require a negative COVID-19 test in order to participate in a program?

No, we will not require vaccinated adult participants to submit a negative COVID-19 test result for the majority of our programs; however, some of our program partners may. If that is the case, participants will be notified with ample time to be tested prior to departure. Additionally, unvaccinated children participating in our 2021 and 2022 Grandparent and Family programs will need to test negative for COVID-19 prior to the program and carry proof of the child’s negative test result during the program.

Additionally, for participants travelling abroad, as country entry requirements are constantly changing, we highly recommend all participants get tested within 72 hours of departing the U.S. and be prepared to present proof of a negative COVID-19 test if necessary. Please also be aware that per CDC regulations, all air passengers arriving in the United States will need to show proof of a negative COVID-19 test in order to return into the United States.

All air passengers coming into the United States, including U.S. citizens and fully vaccinated people, are required to have a negative COVID-19 test result upon returning to the US. Will Road Scholar facilitate this?

Yes. For as long as this is a requirement, for all programs outside of the United States, your Group Leader will help you get a COVID-19 test before your flight home. The cost of this test is not included in the cost of the program and will need to be paid by participants. You can find more information about this requirement and the type of test to take by clicking this link.

I need take a COVID-19 test. What type of test should I get?

The test must be a SARS-CoV-2 viral test, which looks for current infection. The viral test could be either an antigen test or a nucleic acid amplification test (NAAT). Rapid tests are acceptable as long as they are a viral test (antigen test or a nucleic acid amplification).

A test result must be in the form of written documentation (paper or electronic copy) and must include the full name of the person, type of test (antigen or NAAT test), entity issuing the result, collection date, and the test result. You can find more information about type of test to take by clicking this link.

Will children be required to wear face masks? 

For our Summer 2021 and 2022 Grandparent and Family programs, children who are not fully vaccinated will be required to wear masks in certain settings, including when indoors and outside when proper social distancing can’t be maintained. Additional information about safety measures we are currently planning for our Summer Grandparent and Family programs will be communicated to participants prior to their program.

Will Road Scholar provide hand sanitizer and face coverings?

You will need to bring several of your own face coverings. Hand sanitizer will be available for you to use when boarding and disembarking motorcoaches, but we ask you also bring your own supply.

Are there any additional health requirements I should be aware of?

Specific locations and entities, such as states, countries, cruise lines or our program partners, may have their own requirements. Because rules and guidance can change at any time, it is up to the participant to be aware of and abide by all applicable guidelines and the rules. As always, Road Scholar expects participants only to attend programs if they are healthy and feeling well.

What happens if I get sick on my program?

Should a participant become ill during a program, they should immediately notify the Group Leader, who will assist in obtaining medical attention. If a participant develops symptoms of illness such as a fever, cough, shortness of breath or difficulty breathing, or experience any other signs or symptoms consistent with COVID-19 or other communicable illnesses, they will be required to immediately self-isolate, both for their health and the health, safety and welfare of the group. The Group Leader will then help the participant get a tested, or contact a local doctor so he or she can evaluate the participant's symptoms and provide appropriate guidance regarding treatment and care.

Participants who are ill and having symptoms consistent with COVID-19 will not be permitted to rejoin the program and must remain in self-isolation until either they  test negative for COVID-19, or are evaluated by a medical professional who determines their condition is not contagious and clears them to resume group activities, at which time they may return to the group. If a participant has a confirmed case of COVID-19 or other communicable and contagious disease, we will follow the guidance and requirements of the local medical and health authorities.

What happens if I am required to quarantine?

Because participants and Group Leaders will be vaccinated against COVID-19, it is unlikely a program will be interrupted or terminated due to a government-mandated quarantine order. However, in the event a program is cut short due to quarantine, all participants will be issued a pro-rated credit towards a future Road Scholar program. Please note that in such circumstances we will do our best to ensure everyone receives the help and support they may need. However, participants should be aware that all expenses for medical treatment, as well as additional food, lodging, or transportation expenses due to quarantine, are the sole responsibility of the participant. 

We therefore strongly recommend Road Scholar’s optional Trip Protection Plan, which provides financial protection in case of program cancellation, interruption or travel delay. It also provides limited coverage for unexpected expenses you may incur if you are required to quarantine due to a positive COVID-19 test. For example, if you are forced to quarantine by a country, state or local public health authority because you test positive COVID-19, or because a fellow participant on your program contracted COVID-19, the plan can help cover some of the costs associated with your mandated quarantine, such as accommodation and meal expenses. Please note that the quarantine coverage in Road Scholar’s optional Trip Protection Plan is limited, and is not intended to cover costs arising from any government-mandated quarantine that is required for travelers arriving into a country.

What’s the best way to stay healthy while travelling?

Your health and safety are of the utmost importance to us. Click here to learn more about Road Scholar’s commitment to our participants’ well-being and the steps you can take to keep yourself healthy when traveling.

Please note that these measures are subject to change at any time and may be different in certain areas due to local restrictions, or altered as new information about the virus becomes available.