At Least a Month Before Your Program

• The most important thing you can do is be vaccinated against COVID-19 and be up to date with all required and recommended vaccinations and boosters. That is why we are requiring all participants, including children, and Road Scholar Group Leaders be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 at least 14 days prior to departure and have had at least one booster shot, if eligible. While we will not require you to submit proof of vaccination in advance of your program, you must bring your original vaccination card with you on your program to demonstrate proof of vaccination including booster shot, if eligible. We also recommend participants scan or photograph their cards and keep a digital copy somewhere that’s easily accessible should they lose or misplace their original card. Children attending Grandparent and Family programs are also required to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19, including having received all recommended boosters if they are eligible, and required to demonstrate proof of vaccination during the program.

• Consult with your physician and visit the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) website to make sure you are fully aware of any vaccination requirements, potential health risks, medication you may need to take and other precautions for the prevention of illness, disease and general health issues during your program. If you are traveling overseas, please also review the U.S. Department of State, CDC and World Health Organization (WHO) websites for current travel advisories, health recommendations and requirements for travel abroad, and other precautions for the prevention of illness when traveling.

  • Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)

  • U.S. Department of State

  • World Health Organization (WHO)

• Check with your airline, cruise line, or any other transportation providers to learn about any special requirements or policies they may have. We’ll do our best to keep you informed of any requirements before travelling, but keep in mind that requirements for your specific program and policies can change at any time, so we recommend you stay up to date as well.

 

Special Items to Pack 

• COVID-19 vaccination card

• Face masks, which you may be required to wear at certain times during your program.

• Hand sanitizer

• A reusable water bottle

 

What to Expect During Your Program

Take a look at our Travel Updates & Requirements page for information about what to expect while traveling. 

 

Here’s what we’re asking you to do …

• Do not travel if you are sick, have any symptoms of potential sickness, or if you have had close contact with a person with COVID-19.
• Wear a face mask when required by applicable laws, rules and regulations, including local establishments visited during the program, as well as in certain locations, settings, or when instructed by your Group Leader or program staff. 

• Be respectful of your fellow participants and program staff.

• Follow the recommended hygiene best practices.

• Self-isolate immediately should you feel ill during the program. Notify the Group Leader you are feeling unwell.

• Be aware of and comply with all federal, state, and local laws and applicable local health guidelines. Follow the safety policies and requirements of any places we may visit on your program.

• Be aware of and comply with Road Scholar's, the Program Provider's, and your Group Leader's policies and directives.

 

How to Reduce the Risk of Becoming Ill on Your Program 

Staying healthy is critical to enjoying your program experience, and taking common sense steps to reduce the risk of getting sick will, of course, also reduce the risk of getting COVID.

• A week before you depart on your program, consider isolating or being extra careful. If you must be in public in the week prior to departure, wear a mask.
• We recommend you test for COVID-19 three days before your program. The test can be a rapid self-test or a laboratory test, as long as it is a viral test that looks for current infection. If your test is positive, please notify us as soon as possible.
• Do not travel if you are sick, have any symptoms, or if you have had close contact with a person with COVID-19. Do not risk traveling if you are not feeling well. Call us to discuss your options.
• To maximize protection from illness participants are encouraged to wear a mask whenever around others, including when flying and transiting airports. Once on your program, wear a mask whenever you are in public settings, especially if you are in an area of substantial or high transmission, or have a weakened immune system or an underlying medical condition.
• Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. Use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol if soap and water are not available.
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands.
• Cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue, then throw the tissue in the trash.
• Avoid close contact with people who are exhibiting symptoms of illness.

 

Please Be Aware of the Risks 

COVID-19 is an extremely contagious respiratory disease and known to spread mainly from person-to-person contact. The World Health Organization (WHO) has declared coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) a worldwide pandemic. The U.S. Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has stated that older adults and people of any age who have underlying medical conditions are at higher risk for severe illness and death from communicable and infectious diseases like COVID-19. It is possible for a person to become infected with COVID-19 and develop no illness or symptoms. For others, it can cause a range of symptoms including respiratory infections that range from mild to extremely serious.

While Road Scholar will endeavor to follow recommended guidelines and have preventative measures put in place to reduce the spread of COVID-19 as well as other illnesses, Road Scholar cannot guarantee you will not become exposed to or infected with COVID-19 or other communicable and infectious diseases during your voluntary participation in your Road Scholar program, despite reasonable efforts to mitigate such dangers. A risk of exposure to communicable and infectious diseases exists in any public place.

By attending a Road Scholar program, you acknowledge the contagious nature of COVID-19 and voluntarily assume the risk that you, your traveling companion(s) and your family may be exposed to or infected by COVID-19 or other communicable and infectious diseases, agree to assume responsibility for your own health, safety and welfare, and, as stated in our program policies, acknowledge that Road Scholar cannot guarantee your health or safety at any time.

 

Participant Agreement

You are encouraged to be the most responsible participant you can possibly be, and we’re counting on you, as a valued member of the Road Scholar community, to be conscientious, considerate, and cautious. With that in mind, please carefully read the following information. 

By enrolling in a program with Road Scholar, you acknowledge and agree you have read, understand and accept Road Scholar's deposit, transfer and cancellation policies, and our Program Terms & Conditions. Furthermore, by enrolling in a program, you agree to be bound by the policies, terms and conditions published on the Road Scholar website, and agree to carefully read all pre-program communications and Program preparatory materials, including the following rules and guidelines.

For the health and safety of your fellow travelers and program staff, all participants, including children, are required to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 at least 14 days prior to departure and have had at least one booster shot, if eligible. Only travel if you are healthy. STAY HOME if you are sick, displaying any symptoms of potential sickness, or have had close contact with someone who is sick. If prior to your program you do not feel well enough to attend, please call us to discuss your options.

All participants are required to abide by Road Scholar’s policies and requirements, Program Provider and Group Leader policies, guidance and directives, and all federal, state, and local laws and applicable guidelines. By attending a Road Scholar program, you:

1. Agree that you have been fully vaccinated against COVID-19 at least 14 days prior to departure and have had at least one booster shot, if eligible, and are in good health and have no physical symptoms associated with COVID-19 or any other communicable illness.

2. Agree to show evidence of vaccination including booster shot with your original vaccine record at all times during your program, including during travel to and from the program. Failure to do so may result in your participation in the program being limited or terminated at your expense and without refund. 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.

3. If you are participating on a Grandparent or Family Program, you agree that your child companion is fully vaccinated against COVID-19, including having at least one booster shot if they are eligible. You also understand that proof of the child's vaccination and booster shot if eligible is required for the child to participate in the programs, and agree to be responsible for demonstrating proof of the child's vaccination during the program.

4. Agree to carefully read all pre-program communications and Program preparatory materials, and be aware of and abide by any destination or country-specific requirements.

5. Agree not to travel to and attend your Road Scholar program if, during the 5 days prior to the start of your program, you or anyone you have had close contact with, have tested positive for COVID-19, or helped care for, anyone suspected or diagnosed as having COVID-19, or who is currently subject to health monitoring for possible exposure to COVID-19.

6. Agree to complete a verbal health screening upon arrival.

7. Agree to comply with Road Scholar's, the Program Provider's, and your Group Leader's policies directives.

8. Agree to wear a face mask in certain locations, settings, if you are showing signs or symptoms of illness (e.g., coughing, sneezing, etc.), or when instructed by your Group Leader or program staff.

9. Agree to immediately notify the Group Leader should you be injured or become ill during a program, who will assist in obtaining medical attention if necessary.

10. If at any time during the program you develop 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 any other communicable illness, you agree to immediately self-isolate and notify the Road Scholar Group Leader. 

11. Agree that while you are feeling sick and/or exhibiting symptoms of illness you will remain isolated from other individuals and not participate in any aspect of the program (e.g., group meals, activities, group transportation, etc.) until either:

a. you have been evaluated by a local medical professional who has determined that your condition is not infectious, and has cleared you to resume group activities, or,

b. you test negative for COVID-19.

12. Agree to leave the program if you are exhibiting symptoms of illness and have not been evaluated by a local medical professional and subsequently cleared to resume group activities, and do not wish to remain isolated from the group while exhibiting symptoms. Under no circumstances will a participant who is visibly ill with symptoms consistent with a communicable illnesses be permitted to participate in Road Scholar group activities without seeing and being cleared to do so by a medical professional, as doing so puts everyone at risk.

13.  If you test positive for COVID-19 during your program, you agree to immediately self-isolate and notify your Road Scholar Group Leader. You also agree to remain isolated from other individuals and not participate in any aspect of the program until:

a. you have isolated for at least 5 days, AND,

b. you test negative for COVID-19.

As a precaution, all participants and the Group Leader will be required to wear a face mask for no less than 10 days. If the COVID-positive participant wishes to rejoin the program after their isolation period ends and they test negative, as an additional safety precaution they will be required to wear a face mask for the remainder of the program. Please note that if the program is in a remote area and the group will move to the next location, it may be necessary for a positive-testing individual to transfer with the group if no other reasonable transportation options are available. This may include itinerary based programs with internal commercial flights. In such rare instances everyone will be required to wear masks.

14. Understand that if you become injured or become ill and incur medical or other emergency expenses during the program, all related expenses are your responsibility and you must be prepared to pay at the time and submit an claim for reimbursement with your insurance company when you return home. If you are attending a programs outside of the United Sates, the included Road Scholar Assurance Plan provides limited medical coverage for an accidental injury or sickness, including coverage for emergency medical expenses incurred due to COVID-19.

15. Understand that if you are required to isolate or quarantine, all related expenses are your responsibility and you must be prepared to pay for any additional expenses at the time. Road Scholar therefore strongly recommends participants consider purchasing optional travel insurance with quarantine coverage. Road Scholar’s optional Trip Protection Plan provides limited coverage for unexpected expenses you may incur if you are required to isolate or quarantine due to a valid positive COVID-19 test. Please vist our optional Trip Protection Plan "Frequently Asked Questions" webpage for answers to questions about the plan's benefits, coverages, limitations, as well as detailed information about the types of COVID tests that qualify for insurance coverage as well as the tests that do not qualify for coverage.

16. Agree to take personal responsibility for your own health and well-being at all times during the program.

17. Agree to abide by the Group Leader’s decisions, accept the leader’s judgment, and follow the Leader's instructions concerning your participation in the program.

18. Understand and agree that non-compliance with any safety policy or directive may result in your participation in the program being limited or terminated at your expense and without refund. 

 

Please be aware that this information and these measures, protocols, policies and requirements are subject to change. Road Scholar reserves the right to update, change, modify, or revise any measure, protocol, policy or requirement at any time. Please also be aware that protocols, policies and requirements may be different in certain areas due to local guidance, requirements or restrictions.