GLA Coronavirus Travel Update:
Answers to your COVID-19 Questions

LAST UPDATED: MARCH 25, 2020 AT 11:45AM PDT

 

COVID-19 Coronavirus Updates

Global Leadership Adventures is diligently monitoring the circulation of – and global response to – the COVID-19 disease, commonly known as the Coronavirus.

As of now, the Coronavirus outbreak has spread globally. The number of cases reported in the US and globally increased exponentially in recent days. Unprecedented measures will be required to contain further growth and limit future infections both close to and far from home.

The good news is that some countries in Asia have demonstrated that successful reduction in new infections is possible, but it requires swift and determined action. We found this article insightful in the sense that it gives a good data-driven analysis of where we stand.

We are mindful of the fact that the COVID-19 situation is dynamic, and that families like yours have very real concerns that you want to stay attuned to. We hear you, we’re here for you, and we will be using this page as your go-to resource for any updates as soon they become available.

> You can view country-specific status updates here.

> You can view our 2020 Risk Management Plan here.

 

Note for Enrolled Students & Their Families

Please note that Global Leadership Adventures will cancel summer programs 45 days prior to the program start date, if either the US is still in a state of national emergency, or the destination country has a Level 3 CDC travel warning, or sooner should new information necessitate.

In the interim, GLA encourages families to avoid booking flights, or completing any other pre-departure work such as filling out medical forms or paying additional balances, until further notice. Further updates will be provided by or before the 45-day window prior to the program start date.

 

GLA Coronavirus Plan of Action

*as of March 16, 2020

  • We will not operate any summer program if the US is in a state of national emergency. Our current cancellation policy states that we will cancel programs in case the CDC assigns a Level 3 travel warning to the destination country. We feel this definition is good, but no longer sufficient, as it does not include any consideration regarding the origin country for the traveler. The vast majority of our students come from the US; hence the US is our most important origin country.
  • We will cancel all spring break programs that have not yet started. We sincerely and deeply apologize to all families who were looking forward to the upcoming spring journeys, but as it stands, we deem the operating risks are too high; and we also want to contribute to the mitigation efforts made in the US and worldwide. Currently operating spring programs will be completed as planned.
  • Summer programs remain open for enrollment. But we want to advise families that it is becoming increasingly uncertain whether we will be able to operate these programs. Judging by the Hubei experience, it could take two or more months for the US to solve the current crisis. Two months from now takes us into May; which is one month before our first summer programs are scheduled to commence. In light of this, we are modifying our cancellation policy for summer programs: We shall cancel summer programs 45 days prior to the program start date, if either the US is still in a state of national emergency, or the destination country has a Level 3 CDC travel warning, or sooner should new information necessitate. GLA also recommends waiting to book flights or complete additional pre-departure work until further notice.

 

Program Plans & Refunds

We have our Global Risk Management Team that is dedicated to responding to this pandemic and is meeting daily to assess changing conditions on the ground.

Lots can change between now and our first summer sessions in June. While we are very hopeful that we can run all of our summer programs, we are planning for situations in which they do not operate as well.

  • We want to reassure students and families that we are taking precautions and following all current best practices in regards to preventive measures and ailment mitigation.
  • Individual students will be allowed on GLA programs as long as they have not traveled in any CDC Level 3 country 14-days prior to the program start date.

Please note that our tuition & refund policy for all programs is in effect. You can review our tuition and refund policy here.  For questions or to discuss options please call our team at 1-858-771-0645.

 

COVID-19 Coronavirus Guidance

GLA currently follows guidelines in accordance with the official Travel Health Notices as provided by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). GLA refers to the CDC for guidance when determining operation of – or cancellation of – programs by location.

In instances where a program is located in a country with a Level 3 travel warning, as defined by the CDC, the GLA Risk Management Team will convene an immediate meeting to determine whether to cancel the program or to continue program operations in-country.

When a country reaches a Level 3 status from the CDC, it triggers an automatic operational review meeting, conducted by the GLA Risk Management Team. Once this meeting has been convened, additional information, professional guidance and advice from preeminent health organizations will be taken into account as a final determination is made on whether to run the program.

If a cancellation decision is made, families will be notified right away. If a decision is made to continue program operations in a Level 3 country, we will notify families as to why that decision has been reached, and any programs within that country will remain under active operational review until 45 days before the program start date, pending further developments.

GLA will also cancel summer programs 45 days prior to the program start date, if either the US is still in a state of national emergency, or the destination country has a Level 3 CDC travel warning, or sooner should new information necessitate. We recommend waiting to book flights or complete additional pre-departure work until further notice.

 

CDC Travel Health Notices

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention uses a 3-level scale for travel health notices. If there is no health notice, no status level is assigned.

  • No Level: No travel health notice is in place. The vast majority of GLA program destinations fall into this category.
  • Level 1: CDC does not recommend canceling or postponing travel to the following destinations. Travelers should practice usual precautions.
  • Level 2: Older adults and those with chronic medical conditions should consider postponing nonessential travel.
  • Level 3: CDC recommends that travelers avoid all nonessential travel.
  • Please Note: Check the CDC travel page for the most up-to-date information.

In addition to relying on expert advice from the CDC, our Global Risk Management Team is also in close consultation with our regional contacts and a variety of international health experts and organizations. We also regularly receive updates from WHO and the US State Department, among others. We use CDC travel advisories to determine our operational stance in addition to other risk management analyses from our advisory Medical Doctor.

 

Air Transfers

Many countries have begun health screenings and precautionary measures at airports, as well as other border entry points and restrictions, as part of their initiatives to contain and screen for COVID-19. Please note that these procedures may include temperature checks prior to checking in or boarding flights, or after landing. Travelers may also be asked questions about their itinerary, travel history and recent health.

 

Key Resources

 

Questions?

Call us at 1-858-771-0645 during office hours, or email us at travel@experiencegla.com anytime, and we’ll be happy to answer any questions you may have.

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