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Covid-19 Updates

Updated May 26, 2022

Overview

We are closely monitoring COVID-19 developments and assessing travel along with our risk management team and local partners. All program itineraries are subject to change based on current conditions.

Risk management is central to Shoulder-to-Shoulder programming and while travel restrictions continue to evolve we have developed the following guidelines to evaluate program safety this summer. 

Standards for all travel-based programming

  • All members of a group are fully vaccinated against COVID-19 for the safety of our students, staff, and community partners. Participants will need to provide proof of having received a COVID-19 vaccine.
  • SStS is welcomed by NGO partners and deemed no risk to their communities.

In addition to the guidelines above, SStS will also be evaluating case levels, medical infrastructure, hospitalizations, local restrictions, and border requirements for each program destination.


ENTRY REQUIREMENTS (To FIELD SITE)

Given the uncertainty around travel related to the COVID-19, we are modifying our deposit policy for Summer 2022. To read more click here.

For the latest program-specific updates related to COVID-19 and travel please see below:

Bolivia-Program postponed to 2023.

Costa Rica– Travelers to Costa Rica are not required to show proof of vaccination status or proof of a medical insurance policy to cover COVID-19-related illness.

Kenya-Travelers who are fully vaccinated are exempted from the PCR test required for entry. Incoming travelers are required to have a QR code for a completed Travelers’ Health Surveillance Form that they can access from the website https://ears.health.go.ke/airline_registration/ . When they register on the website, the code is sent to their email. Be advised that effective January 1, 2021, all passengers are required to apply and obtain an e-visa before boarding an inbound aircraft to Kenya. The e-visa can be obtained through http://evisa.go.ke/evisa.html

Nepal-The Department of Immigration rescinded all previously issued orders regarding country-specific travel limitations as of March 10, 2022. All travelers regardless of vaccine status can receive on-arrival visas at the port of entry.

Panama-Travelers arriving in Panama who present a digital or physical full COVID Vaccination Certificate plus a booster vaccine, showing that they received all required doses of a COVID vaccine approved by the WHO, FDA or EMA at least 14 days prior to their entry, are exempt from all testing and quarantine requirements to enter Panama.

Peru-Peruvians, resident foreigners, and non-resident foreigners 12 years of age or older must present proof of being fully vaccinated 14 days prior to boarding at their point of origin. Peruvians, resident foreigners, and non-resident foreigners 12 years of age or older who are not fully vaccinated must present a molecular test with a negative result (within 48 hours) prior to boarding an incoming flight to Peru, in accordance with current health regulations. Children under 12 years of age must only be asymptomatic prior to boarding an incoming flight to Peru.

All passengers must also complete an affidavit of health (found here: https://e-notificacion.migraciones.gob.pe/dj-salud/).


ENTRY REQUIREMENTS (To THE UNITED STATES)

Currently, all airline passengers to the United States ages two years and older, regardless of vaccination status or citizenship, must provide a negative COVID-19 viral test taken within one calendar day of travel OR travel with documentation of recovery from COVID-19. Please read all of the details from the CDC linked here.

Since there have been several questions about Covid testing options we have clarified the options below:

Option 1: There is the Qured Video Supervised Rapid Test For Travel. If you purchase this test, you will need to enter the flight date, which is the day your child’s flight is scheduled to depart. You can schedule this test 7 days a week (9am-9pm GMT)

Option 2: The eMed 2-Pack Rapid Antigen Home Test includes a verified lab report in 15 minutes, online 24/7. No appointment needed (the MOST flexible option).

Option 3: Some families have received the iHealth COVID-19 Antigen Rapid Test from the government. This test alone is not valid for travel, but if you purchase the Verified COVID Test Service for Travel from iHealth it is CDC-compliant for re-entry to the United States. This option is the MOST restrictive with appointments, and currently, there are no appointments available. For this reason, we do not recommend iHealth. If you choose this option, you may still need to purchase a test in-country due to the appointment restrictions. 


CONTACT US

Please be encouraged to email/call with thoughts and/or questions. In the meantime, please call up your highest level of caution and perseverance; the world awaits SStS to re-enter.  

Questions?

WE ARE HERE TO HELP!

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