The health and well-being of our travellers are of paramount importance to us, and we are committed to keeping you informed as COVID-19 protocols worldwide are updated. Now more than ever, protection, prevention and response are our top priority as we continue to adapt to the latest guidance from our Global Partners and local and Regional Health Authorities where we travel. With this in mind, B&R has implemented specific health measures to help ensure safe and responsible travel.

As regulations on international travel evolve, we ask that you remain open-minded and flexible. Those choosing to travel with us should do so with the mindset that things might not play out exactly as planned, meaning potential alterations to events, meals, lodging, transportation and activities. And while B&R and our Global Partners follow local safety guidelines to reduce the risk of viral transmission, there may be higher infection rates and/or lower vaccination rates in some areas we visit, and limits on the level of sophistication and availability of therapies, medical care and hospital beds for COVID-19 treatment.

Click here to read more about our enhanced safety measures and what you can expect when travelling with us this year, and here to review our Terms & Conditions. We strongly suggest you also review the information found on your Waiver and Statement of Account.

We hope the following information will help prepare you for your trip: 

PRE-TRIP HEALTH CHECKLIST

Prior to joining a Butterfield & Robinson trip, travellers must ensure:

o You are able to comply with the vaccination entry requirements of your country(ies) of destination at time of travel. This may include booster shots as indicated by regional health authorities in the country(ies) of destination.

o You have not tested positive for COVID-19 within 10 days prior to the commencement of your trip.

o 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 nor have you experienced such symptoms within 10 days prior to travel.

o Within 10 days prior to travel, you have not been in close contact with anyone who has tested positive for COVID-19.

Should you not meet these health check requirements, please contact your Travel Advisor immediately.

We strongly recommend all travellers purchase travel insurance. With this in mind, Butterfield & Robinson has partnered with Cavalry Insurance. Please review the details of their COVID-19 Policy FAQ here.

ENTRY REQUIREMENTS

We will endeavour to 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, proof of current vaccinations, proof of medical insurance and/or other government-required forms. 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.

B&R strongly recommends travellers receive the full recommended doses of one of the vaccines against COVID-19, according to the requirements of your country(ies) of destination. It is your responsibility to be aware of and to comply with all such requirements and laws. The rules change quickly and often–continue to inform yourself right up to and during your trip. 

It remains the responsibility of each traveller to (i) carry and provide to local authorities and service providers such proof of vaccination, proof of COVID-19 testing, proof of medical insurance and all other government-mandated forms required by local authorities in the country(ies) of destination; and (ii) to ensure that they have the appropriate travel documents related to this trip for their nationality. B&R is not liable for any expenses or costs arising from any traveller being prohibited from entering a country scheduled to be visited on a trip.

PACKING LIST

We ask that you bring your own masks, but we will have extras on hand should you need them. In the event that you are required to quarantine unexpectedly, we recommend including extra medication and other necessities in your carry-on to cover an additional 14 days or such longer period of quarantine as may be imposed by local authorities.

TRAVEL INSURANCE

We strongly recommend all our travellers purchase travel insurance. Now more than ever, it is important to be covered should you need to leave your trip due to injury or infection. B&R offers coverage through Cavalry Insurance. Please review the details of their COVID-19 Policy FAQ here.

YOUR ON-TRIP HEALTH

If you experience COVID-19 symptoms while on trip, notify your Guide immediately. For the safety of the rest of the group, our Guides, partners and suppliers, any traveller experiencing COVID-19 symptoms will be required to isolate until they are able to complete a COVID-19 test. 

Any traveller with a positive COVID-19 test result will immediately be required to refrain from further group activities and follow local health protocols. Please know we will do everything we can to assist you in following local health advice and safety protocols. Should you require offsite medical treatment for any reason on your trip, please be aware that due to local and B&R health protocols, your Guide may not be able to accompany you. 

YOUR GUIDES

Your Guides will strive to ensure you’re well-informed and feeling safe throughout your trip. They have received up-to-date training that covers advanced health and safety protocols specific to COVID-19 and they will conduct pre-trip safety meetings with all our local partners. All Guides participate in health screenings.

LOCAL HEALTH PROTOCOLS

To keep your group, your Guides and the communities you visit safe, we ask that you kindly follow all local health protocols and regulations where you travel. If you are unable to do so, you may be required to leave your trip. Local guidelines may include (but are not limited to):

o Masks/PPE

o Maintaining physical distance

o Hand washing and sanitizing

o COVID-19 tests for entry into establishments

o COVID-19 tests for suspected exposure

If COVID-19 exposure or a positive COVID-19 test arises while on trip, we ask that you comply with local guidelines. We will do our best to assist you, however, any costs associated with cancellations, delays or medical needs are your responsibility. This may include (but is not limited to):

o Masks/PPE

o Required testing

o Required self-isolation and/or quarantine

o Transportation arrangements

o Medical assistance

FAMILY TRAVEL

If you are travelling with children, please ensure they follow COVID-19 protocols. If they are unable to do so, both you and your children may be required to leave your trip.

TRIP MODIFICATION

Due to health and safety concerns that could emerge from COVID-19, B&R may, at its discretion, need to modify your trip and its activities. These modifications would be as necessary to keep your group and Guides safe while on the road. We thank you in advance for your cooperation.

Once a trip is on the road, we have fully committed to all payments (hotels, local guides, restaurants, transfers etc.) and therefore will not refund travellers should their trip be cut short or altered due to COVID-19, failure to comply with local health protocols, or any other reason.

WHAT TO DO IF YOU TEST POSITIVE FOR COVID-19 AFTER YOUR TRIP

If you contract COVID-19 within 10 days of returning home from your trip, please let us know immediately by contacting your Travel Advisor.

Please connect with your Travel Advisor if you have any further questions.

Thank you for choosing to travel with Butterfield & Robinson. We are excited to see you back on the Slow Road!

Updated: January 3rd, 2023

DEPARTURES FROM JANUARY 1, 2023 

Due to changing international regulations, as of January 1, 2023, B&R will no longer require travellers to be vaccinated against COVID-19. 

As travellers must be able to comply with the vaccination entry requirements of their country(ies) of destination, B&R strongly recommends travellers be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 at time of travel with a vaccine approved for use in your country(ies) of destination. This may include booster shots as indicated by regional health authorities in the country(ies) of destination. Your Travel Advisor can provide information related to the vaccine entry requirements of your country(ies) of destination, but the responsibility to be aware of and comply with such up-to-date requirements rests with each traveller. Should you be unable to comply with your country(ies) of destination vaccination entry requirements you will be subject to B&R’s cancellation policy which can be found here.

B&R’s Traveller Vaccination Policy is subject to change as we monitor evolving public health guidance and government regulations. We will continually evaluate these requirements and make updates as local public health standards evolve. Please note that all travellers must adhere to all health protocols and travel requirements applicable in the country(ies) of travel as well as B&R’s health and safety protocols.