SAFETY & RISK MANAGEMENT

COVID-19 RISK MANAGEMENT FRAMEWORK

LAST UPDATED: JANUARY 29, 2024

The safety of students, staff and local communities remains our highest priority. Therefore, this is a living framework that will be updated regularly as new information becomes available.

Our framework is informed by health authorities such as the Department of State, Centers for Disease Control, and the World Health Organization, as well as our Medical Director and Leadership Team to ensure they meet the unique needs of our in-person programs.

As Covid-19 continues to filter into the background of our lives, our framework is meant to showcase how we are preparing to manage sickness pre-, during, and post-program.


Pre-Program

  • While vaccination is not required by GLA, we strongly encourage all students traveling to our in-person programs to be up to date on their Covid-19 vaccinations prior to departure, as well as all other routine vaccinations.
    • Some destinations may require an up to date Covid-19 vaccination to enter, so we ask that you stay apprised on destination requirements, and we will also communicate any known changes when and if they are known.
  • We ask all families and staff to limit exposure to individuals with any known sickness, to ensure the healthiest start to the program experience.
  • If a student is experiencing Covid-like symptoms before departure, we ask that they take a rapid antigen test to screen for an active Covid-19 infection.
    • For any positive test, we ask that families contact GLA to inform and discuss the potential for late arrival to program or selecting a new session date once cleared.

During Program

  • Students may be asked to wear a mask if a site specific activity or service project requires it locally. For this reason, students are asked to follow the packing list closely to ensure they bring enough masks for their program. If not required for the destination or activity, wearing a mask is always an optional choice for any student.
  • In the event of a positive infection in our group, enhanced cleaning, hygiene and sanitation measures will be implemented.
  • If illness is contracted, follow the guidance of instruction by the highest-trained individuals (students follow guidance from staff, staff follow guidance from GLA, medical consultant, insurance support and medical facilities with consideration of CDC guidelines).
  • If any students display multiple symptoms and aren’t able to fully participate in the program, they may take a rapid antigen Covid-19 test. If confirmed positive, Covid-19 incident response will be initiated, which may include isolation while the student is symptomatic and not feeling up to participating in the program.
  • The need for all parties to remain flexible is more important than ever. To that end, we are committed to transparent and open communication with you before, during, and after your program experience. We will update you about your program, as any situations evolve.  Furthermore, while programs are running, we also have our 24/7 emergency line available to all families. If you have any questions, we invite you to reach out to us!