COVID-19 POLICIES + TRAVEL FAQ’S

Ace Camps Travel is committed to moving forward in a safe & responsible way.

When you’re ready to travel, we can’t wait to explore the world with you again.

Our policies will continue to evolve as time goes on and as we continue to monitor local public health recommendations, but what won’t change is our commitment to your incredible future adventures with Ace Camps.

This page was last updated: November 5, 2023

COVID PRECAUTIONS AND POLICIES

We know you are excited for your upcoming Ace Camp and we hope it will be a fun and rewarding experience. This document is designed to bring clarity and understanding of what may occur during your trip as we try to keep everyone’s health and safety a top priority.

While we hope most of the protocols below will not impact your trip it is important to prepare yourself if events change and we need to modify some plans as a result of guests becoming ill. 

BEFORE YOU ARRIVE

Please take all necessary precautions to protect yourself from covid exposure before you join your Ace Camp group. We strongly urge you to wear N95 or KN95 style masks during transport to your destination.

Please be mindful that if you test positive for covid or become ill you will no longer be able to participate in any group activities so it is really important to take precautions in advance of your trip. Your actions will also impact the experience of others. We all have a duty of care to ourselves, the group, and the locals we interact with.

COVID TEST KITS

It is your responsibility to bring enough personal rapid antigen test kits with you to cover all of the days of your trip and then some. You should always have spare test kits in case any of your test kits fail to work. Ace Camps do not supply test kits.

Please make sure you pack ALL necessary pieces of test kit equipment with you. 

Make sure your tests are not missing pieces and have not expired.

If you are unable to bring enough test kits with you, you will need to manage finding testing locally on your own time and at your own expense. This may result in your missing group activities if you cannot acquire test results in time. 

If a member of your group tests positive and you need to take a test each morning but you are unable to provide a negative test in the morning before breakfast, you will not be able to join the group’s activities for the day. Acquiring covid tests in some locations is very difficult, time-consuming or nearly impossible. It is important that you bring enough kits from home to cover yourself.

MASKING + MASKS

We strongly urge you to wear N95 or KN95 style masks when in transit to your Ace Camp and if required to do so during your camp. Your Tour Manager will advise you if and when masks are required. Please bring a personal supply of masks.

COVID TESTING

If you are not familiar with administering a rapid antigen test on yourself, we recommend you learn about this process before you depart for your trip. It is important to know how to swab and read your test results correctly.

Mandatory Covid Testing as a Precaution

You will be required to take a covid test on arrival day before meeting your group for the first time. 

Mandatory Covid Testing as a result of a group member testing positive for Covid

Furthermore, if a guest becomes ill and tests positive for covid, all guests will be required to take a test every morning before they join the group for breakfast. This rule will be relaxed after 5 consecutive days of no one testing positive for covid.

Self Awareness and Additional Testing 

During your trip, if you notice any symptoms such as a sore throat, cough, or congestion please take a test as soon as you can. Your Tour Manager may also privately ask you to take a test at any point during your Ace Camp if you are exhibiting any symptoms. This is just a precaution so please do not be offended by the request, we understand that some guests may have other medical concerns that may cause them to cough or become congested and are unrelated to covid.

WHAT HAPPENS IF I OR ANOTHER MEMBER OF MY GROUP TESTS POSITIVE FOR COVID?

Your Tour Manager will inform the group immediately in person or by WhatsApp should this occur. At this point, all group members will need to immediately take a rapid antigen test.

If you test positive for covid you will need to isolate away from other members of your Ace Camp group. If you test positive we recommend taking a second test to confirm the first results. 

Unfortunately, this means your Ace Camp experience has now ended. After you test positive for covid the only way to rejoin the program is by receiving a negative result from a nurse-administered PCR test and exhibiting no ill symptoms. 

Please read the following closely to understand what this means for your rooming situation:

If you are booked in a private room in a hotel you will likely be able to remain in your own room. You will need to manage your meals on your own with the hotel directly while you isolate.

If you are in a shared room in a hotel this means you will need to move to a private room in the hotel (if there is availability) or move to a new hotel. 

If you are staying in a shared group house, regardless of if you are in a private or shared room, you will need to move to a hotel or alternate accommodation where they can assist you with meals while you isolate. 

If you test positive and want to make alternative arrangements to depart the area you are welcome to do so. It's important to note that some of the more remote locations we travel to have limited services available and you may be more comfortable in a larger city with easier access to resources. 

All additional expenses for transportation, new hotel rooms, meals, and medical testing will be at your own expense. You may be able to claim back portions of this with your travel insurance provider depending on the plan you purchased. It’s important to understand your insurance policy before you travel. Make sure your emergency contact has all of your insurance details as well.

WHAT HAPPENS IF I TEST NEGATIVE FOR COVID AFTER ANOTHER GUEST TESTS POSITIVE?

For those who test negative, we will do our best to keep your trip moving along as planned. We will continue to do our best to make your Ace Camp as special as possible but we appreciate your understanding that some activities may have to be modified as a result of this situation.

All guests who test negative for covid can continue to take part in daily activities and meals as normal and while not mandatory we strongly encourage you to wear high-quality masks when around others in busy indoor settings or on transit.

Some or all of your group meals will continue to be located indoors (depending on the location). If you prefer to not eat with the group that is fine but it will be your responsibility to arrange new meals at your own expense. 

All guests who test negative will be asked to take a new test each morning before going for breakfast and will need to confirm their test results directly with their Tour Manager. A negative test means your day continues as planned. If you test positive, please see above.

You may be required to wear masks in certain situations, if asked to do so by your Tour Manager it will be a requirement in order to continue participating in that activity.

GUEST ETIQUETTE AFTER A POSITIVE TEST

We understand that should a guest test positive or fall ill during your trip it can be an unsettling experience at first. The new reality of travel is that Covid exposure can happen anywhere and while we hope it will not impact your trip, it is always a possibility that all guests need to be ready to personally manage.

As part of the guest protocol that you have agreed to in order to participate in this Ace Camp, you must treat all members of your group with respect, including but not limited to other guests, your Tour Manager, instructors, and local guides. 

If you are feeling overwhelmed with the situation of another guest testing positive and no longer comfortable being with members of your group during activities or meals, we understand this can be a lot and it is your prerogative to take a few days off. You may decide it is best to excuse yourself from further group activities or meals or leave the group entirely. Please discuss your personal situation with your Tour Manager directly.

Thank you for your full understanding and cooperation.

Health Declaration

• You will be required to complete a health declaration prior to your arrival. Ace Camps reserves the right to restrict symptomatic or exposed guests from joining a tour.

Insurance

• Travel Medical Insurance for all guests is required. At a minimum, we strongly encourage your coverage should include Trip Interruption, Trip Delay, and Quarantine Expenses. The insurance must cover medical costs and Emergency Evacuation/Repatriation.

  We recommend discussing your options with your local travel insurance provider and considering purchasing or upgrading your travel insurance to a “cancel for any reason” plan. Please discuss all questions and concerns about your coverage directly with your insurance provider.

• Ace Camps Inc. will not be responsible for refunding any lost trip funds if you have to miss your scheduled trip as you cannot meet the health + entry requirements determined by Ace Camps Inc. and the country you are visiting.

Within 7 days of departure, please ensure:

• You have not tested positive for COVID-19

• You are not experiencing a fever, dry cough, sore throat, difficulty breathing, fatigue, loss of taste and smell, or any other symptoms of COVID-19. If you travel and have a fever, you may be placed in quarantine (at your expense) or not allowed into the country.

• You have not been in close contact with anyone who has tested positive for COVID-19

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

What if I am not ready to travel on my trip dates?

If you decide not to attend your Ace Camp because you are not ready to travel, your trip will be subject to our cancellation fees + terms, with no exceptions. Your deposit and/or final payment will not be refunded as per our Booking Terms + Cancellation policy.

What happens if Ace Camps is forced to cancel any portion of my trip due to an issue related to Covid-19? (Outbreak, government lockdown, etc.)

Once a trip has begun, we have fully committed to all payments (hotels, local guides, restaurants, transfers, etc.) and therefore are unable to refund travelers should their trip be cut short or altered due to COVID-19, failure to comply with local health protocols, or any other reason.

The above policies and guidelines are subject to change without notice before or during your trip as circumstances require.

Please don’t hesitate to CONTACT US if you have any questions about the above guidance or your particular Ace Camp.

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