HOW WE PLAN TO KEEP YOU SAFEAs borders begin to reopen and travel resumes, we’re entering into a new normal of coexisting with COVID-19. We understand that travel comes with additional risks under these circumstances, and some of our travelers may be more vulnerable than others. Our hope is that these safety measures outlined below will help give you the confidence to travel with Sisters and Suitcases.
These protocols take into account World Health Organization (WHO), the US Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), and the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC) guidelines.
ENTRY REQUIREMENTSWe will notify you of trip-specific health guidelines before your departure. Depending on regional entry requirements, you may need to provide proof of a negative COVID-19 test, recovery from COVID-19, or vaccinations. It is imperative that you arrive at your destination armed with this information. We cannot stress enough the importance of this. If you fail to comply with local COVID-19 Rules and Regulations, you may be refused entry to the region and be unable to participate in your trip.
VACCINATION
As of November 1, 2021 All Sisters and Suitcases tours will require travelers to have either a full COVID-19 vaccination with the final dose given at least 14 days prior to the start of the tour or the receipt of a negative PCR test within 72 hours prior to the start of their first Sisters and Suitcases welcome meeting. All travellers will be required to follow and understand the entry/exit requirements of their destination country (and home country), which may require full vaccination. It is the passengers responsibility to ensure they meet all applicable entry requirements in effect at the time of travel.
HYGIENE & MASKS
On all trips moving forward, we will ask Trip Leaders, Partners, and Travelers to:
To protect against COVID-19 transmission we will require all partners (hotels, restaurants, activities, and private transportation) to:
SMALL GROUP
Our groups have always been small. Why? Because a smaller size offers security, access, camaraderie, and a connection with a destination that you just won't get by traveling on bus tours or even on your own. Our average group size is 12-16, ensuring that you could experience our world alongside other travelers without being squeezed together like sardines - even before physical distance became a reality!
WHO WILL I BE TRAVELING WITH
Your group size will be an average of 12-16 awesome women from all over the world, who will be following the same guidelines as you; being fully vaccinated for COVID-19 or taking a negative PCR test prior to departure; ensuring they don’t have COVID-19 symptoms pre-, post- or during your tour; seeing a doctor if they feel sick; wearing masks whenever physical distancing of 6ft is not possible; and, above all, washing their hands regularly
SOCIAL DISTANCING
Our group trips have always been small by design, and we will continue to cap all Sisters and Suitcases trips at 12-16 travelers to minimize group sizes. All travelers have the option to book a private room if they do not want to share a hotel room with another traveler. Whenever we can, we will have the group walk outside between activities instead of taking public transportation.
RESTAURANT PHYSICAL DISTANCING
During our group trips separate tables or private rooms at the restaurants will be reserved wherever possible.
WHAT HAPPENS IF I AM DISPLAYING SYMPTOMS UPON ARRIVALIf you’re not feeling well or are displaying symptoms upon arrival on one of our tours, you’ll be required to visit a doctor, and receive a negative test for COVID-19 to get clearance to continue on the tour. Your SAS Host will support you and will provide help finding a clinic and throughout the process.
WHAT HAPPENS IF THE GROUP IS EXPOSED TO SOMEONE WITH COVIS-19The health and safety of our travelers is our top, top, top priority. We’ll work with your CEO and on-the-ground teams, as well as with the local countries, to determine the procedures should this happen. We will always follow local medical and public health requirements advice on how to proceed.
RETURNING TO THE U.S. OR CANADA
To return to the U.S. or Canada from abroad, you will need to provide results of a negative COVID test taken in the 72 hours leading up to your return flight (regardless of vaccination status) - for many of you, this will be sometime during your Sisters and Suitcases trip. Don’t stress, we will help make this process easy in each of our destinations - more info coming soon! For your reference, the U.S. rules can be found here. The Canada rules can be found here. Keep in mind, these rules may change before your trip, but we will keep you up to date!Joining us from another country? Email us and we’ll help you figure out the rules for your specific country, you are ultimately responsible for obtaining this information.
TRAVEL ADVISORIES
You can find U.S. travel advisories for all countries here and the CDC travel advisories here. Due to COVID-19, most countries are currently categorized as a Level 3 or 4. It is strongly recommended that you are fully vaccinated with an FDA authorized vaccine if you plan to travel. Your risk of contracting COVID-19 and developing severe symptoms may be lower if you are fully vaccinated.
“NORMAL” ITINERARIES
We know many of you are concerned that travel just won’t be “normal” right now. We promise we will not run our trips unless we can provide an amazing experience that meets our very high standards.
These protocols take into account World Health Organization (WHO), the US Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), and the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC) guidelines.
ENTRY REQUIREMENTSWe will notify you of trip-specific health guidelines before your departure. Depending on regional entry requirements, you may need to provide proof of a negative COVID-19 test, recovery from COVID-19, or vaccinations. It is imperative that you arrive at your destination armed with this information. We cannot stress enough the importance of this. If you fail to comply with local COVID-19 Rules and Regulations, you may be refused entry to the region and be unable to participate in your trip.
VACCINATION
As of November 1, 2021 All Sisters and Suitcases tours will require travelers to have either a full COVID-19 vaccination with the final dose given at least 14 days prior to the start of the tour or the receipt of a negative PCR test within 72 hours prior to the start of their first Sisters and Suitcases welcome meeting. All travellers will be required to follow and understand the entry/exit requirements of their destination country (and home country), which may require full vaccination. It is the passengers responsibility to ensure they meet all applicable entry requirements in effect at the time of travel.
HYGIENE & MASKS
On all trips moving forward, we will ask Trip Leaders, Partners, and Travelers to:
- Wash hands regularly
- Wear face masks in public places and crowded spaces
- We are requiring (at this time) that once tour departures start up again, that all travelers bring face masks and wear them whenever physical distancing of 6ft is not possible, as well as on vehicles/vessels. Our SAS Host will do the same. We’ll continue to monitor this requirement and will make changes to this policy as appropriate, and as local guidelines and country rules evolve.
To protect against COVID-19 transmission we will require all partners (hotels, restaurants, activities, and private transportation) to:
- Thoroughly clean and disinfect high touch surfaces between each guest.
- Have hand sanitizer readily available at the door before entry and in common areas.
- Keep us regularly updated on any changes made to cleaning and sanitation practices.
SMALL GROUP
Our groups have always been small. Why? Because a smaller size offers security, access, camaraderie, and a connection with a destination that you just won't get by traveling on bus tours or even on your own. Our average group size is 12-16, ensuring that you could experience our world alongside other travelers without being squeezed together like sardines - even before physical distance became a reality!
WHO WILL I BE TRAVELING WITH
Your group size will be an average of 12-16 awesome women from all over the world, who will be following the same guidelines as you; being fully vaccinated for COVID-19 or taking a negative PCR test prior to departure; ensuring they don’t have COVID-19 symptoms pre-, post- or during your tour; seeing a doctor if they feel sick; wearing masks whenever physical distancing of 6ft is not possible; and, above all, washing their hands regularly
SOCIAL DISTANCING
Our group trips have always been small by design, and we will continue to cap all Sisters and Suitcases trips at 12-16 travelers to minimize group sizes. All travelers have the option to book a private room if they do not want to share a hotel room with another traveler. Whenever we can, we will have the group walk outside between activities instead of taking public transportation.
RESTAURANT PHYSICAL DISTANCING
During our group trips separate tables or private rooms at the restaurants will be reserved wherever possible.
WHAT HAPPENS IF I AM DISPLAYING SYMPTOMS UPON ARRIVALIf you’re not feeling well or are displaying symptoms upon arrival on one of our tours, you’ll be required to visit a doctor, and receive a negative test for COVID-19 to get clearance to continue on the tour. Your SAS Host will support you and will provide help finding a clinic and throughout the process.
WHAT HAPPENS IF THE GROUP IS EXPOSED TO SOMEONE WITH COVIS-19The health and safety of our travelers is our top, top, top priority. We’ll work with your CEO and on-the-ground teams, as well as with the local countries, to determine the procedures should this happen. We will always follow local medical and public health requirements advice on how to proceed.
RETURNING TO THE U.S. OR CANADA
To return to the U.S. or Canada from abroad, you will need to provide results of a negative COVID test taken in the 72 hours leading up to your return flight (regardless of vaccination status) - for many of you, this will be sometime during your Sisters and Suitcases trip. Don’t stress, we will help make this process easy in each of our destinations - more info coming soon! For your reference, the U.S. rules can be found here. The Canada rules can be found here. Keep in mind, these rules may change before your trip, but we will keep you up to date!Joining us from another country? Email us and we’ll help you figure out the rules for your specific country, you are ultimately responsible for obtaining this information.
TRAVEL ADVISORIES
You can find U.S. travel advisories for all countries here and the CDC travel advisories here. Due to COVID-19, most countries are currently categorized as a Level 3 or 4. It is strongly recommended that you are fully vaccinated with an FDA authorized vaccine if you plan to travel. Your risk of contracting COVID-19 and developing severe symptoms may be lower if you are fully vaccinated.
“NORMAL” ITINERARIES
We know many of you are concerned that travel just won’t be “normal” right now. We promise we will not run our trips unless we can provide an amazing experience that meets our very high standards.
