When it comes to scheduling and payments, travellers are responsible for their own pre-tour COVID-19 antigen and/or PCR test if the country they are travelling to requires it for entry.

The cost of a COVID-19 test ranges by location and type. In some areas there is free community COVID-19 testing, and in others the pricing can range significantly. The timing of test results also ranges widely—it is important for travellers to understand the timeline with which the testing type they select will return results.

Many destinations and suppliers will accept proof of a negative COVID-19 Antigen test. Some countries may require a COVID-19 PCR test. Confirm you meet all entry requirements for your chosen destination including any transit stops or connections.

Accepted vaccines are those approved for use by the traveller’s departing country. Eligible vaccines are Pfizer-BioNTech, Moderna, Johnson & Johnson/Janssen, and AstraZeneca/COVISHIELD. Please note, destination countries may have additional vaccine requirements. Confirm you meet all entry requirements for your chosen destination including any transit stops or connections.

No. Travellers should not send EF proof of their negative test. However, travellers must be prepared to show the results of the test to any other parties that require them on tour including, but not limited to, airlines and other suppliers. The traveller should carry their test results with them for the entire duration of the tour program and it is recommended they make a copy.

According to Public Health Canada and the Government of Canada, you are considered fully vaccinated two weeks after receiving your second dose of a two-dose vaccine series (Pfizer-BioNTech, Moderna, and/or AstraZeneca/COVISHIELD) or one dose of an approved one-dose vaccine (currently the only one-dose vaccine approved for use in Canada is Johnson & Johnson/Janssen). For the purpose of this guidance, each destination defines fully vaccinated from COVID-19 according to their own rules. Confirm you meet all entry requirements for your chosen destination including any transit stops or connections.

A traveller who receives a positive COVID-19 test within 72 hours prior to departure may not travel on their tour. They must immediately call Traveller Support who will cancel their tour and issue the traveller a Future Travel Voucher for the full amount of money paid toward their tour, including the $199 non-refundable deposit and less any other non-refundable fees.

Travellers should review their Travel Insurance policy and/or certificate of insurance to confirm if their policy covers Cancellation, Interruption and/or Medical claims related to COVID-19.  

Each policy will have different inclusions, limitation, definitions and exclusions. Please take special note of anything related to: 

- Government travel advisories and travel health notices 

- Pandemic/endemic diseases 

- Policy definitions regarding unforeseen reasons, known risks. 

As government regulations and guidelines continue to evolve, please make sure you understand how these changes could affect your travel policy coverage.  

For travellers who have purchased the Global Travel Protection Plan, please review your respective policy documents below.  

Policy Number 9908-69-85 (Purchased after February 1, 2021) 

Certificate of Insurance 
Summary of Coverage 

Additional documents for residents of Quebec: 

Summary — highlights key elements of the Global Travel Protection Plan 
 

Policy Number 9908-50-37 (Purchased between April 1, 2019 to March 31, 2020) 

Chubb Insurance Policy 
Certificate of Insurance 

Additional documents for residents of Quebec: 

Summary — highlights key elements of the Global Travel Protection Plan 

For travellers who have travel insurance with a different insurer (through a parent’s work plan, for example), please review the policy.

Vaccination and other entry requirements applicable to your tour program are a condition of travel set by the governmental authorities and/or suppliers for the destinations you are visiting and are outside of EF’s control. EF does not have the ability to make exceptions or allow waivers of these requirements.

While EF is not collecting negative test results or proof of vaccination, travellers should be prepared to provide this proof while on tour, as some suppliers and activities require them for entry. This underscores the importance of travellers carrying their test results and proof of vaccination with them throughout the entire duration of the tour.

“Close contact” is defined by Public Health Canada as being within two metres for a total of 15 minutes over a 24-hour period with an individual who has tested positive for COVID-19, regardless of whether one or both people were wearing masks.

Travellers must ensure that they are fully vaccinated against COVID-19 (received both shots AND passed a waiting period of two weeks since the second shot). They must also remain symptom free AND received a negative COVID-19 test result. Travellers should also consult with their health care provider.

No, not at this time. Travellers are required to monitor their own health, paying specific attention to the development of any symptoms associated with COVID-19. While EF is not requiring this, it may be a requirement from specific suppliers on the tour program including airlines, hotels, restaurants, etc.

A traveller with symptoms associated with COVID-19 in any of these periods may not travel on their tour. They must immediately call the Traveller Support Team at which point their tour will be cancelled and the traveller will be issued a Future Travel Voucher for the full amount of money paid toward their tour, including the $199 non-refundable deposit and less any other non-refundable fees.

Travellers should review their Travel Insurance policy and/or certificate of insurance to confirm if their policy covers Cancellation, Interruption and/or Medical claims related to COVID-19.  

Each policy will have different inclusions, limitation, definitions and exclusions. Please take special note of anything related to: 

- Government travel advisories and travel health notices 

- Pandemic/endemic diseases 

- Policy definitions regarding unforeseen reasons, known risks. 

As government regulations and guidelines continue to evolve, please make sure you understand how these changes could affect your travel policy coverage.  

For travellers who have purchased the Global Travel Protection Plan, please review your respective policy documents below.  

Policy Number 9908-69-85 (Purchased after February 1, 2021) 

Certificate of Insurance 
Summary of Coverage 

Additional documents for residents of Quebec: 

Summary — highlights key elements of the Global Travel Protection Plan 
 

Policy Number 9908-50-37 (Purchased between April 1, 2019 to March 31, 2020) 

Chubb Insurance Policy 
Certificate of Insurance 

Additional documents for residents of Quebec: 

Summary — highlights key elements of the Global Travel Protection Plan 

For travellers who have travel insurance with a different insurer (through a parent’s work plan, for example), please review the policy.  

In addition to being subject to local penalties for the failure to follow local regulations (which may include measures like fines, tickets, imprisonment, etc.), if there are multiple instances of a traveller refusing to follow EF’s guidelines or local regulations, they will be removed from the tour and sent home at their own expense.

The masks that are acceptable for tour follow the Public Health Canada mask guidance.

What is acceptable:

• Medical procedure masks
• Masks that fit properly (snugly around the nose and chin with no large gaps around the side of the face)
• Masks made with breathable fabric (such as cotton)
• Masks made with tightly woven fabric (i.e., fabrics that do not let light pass through when held up to a light source)
• Masks with two or three layers
• Masks with inner filter pockets

• Masks that do not fit properly (large gaps, too loose or too tight)
• Masks made from materials that are hard to breathe through (such as plastic or leather)
• Masks made from fabric that is loosely woven or knitted, such as fabrics that light pass through
• Masks with one layer
• Masks with exhalation valves or vents
• Wearing a scarf or ski mask

While facilities to wash cloth masks may be available throughout tour, travellers should plan to bring enough cloth or disposable masks to use throughout their entire time on tour, without relying on the ability to wash them.

Any traveler who chooses not to travel for any reason, including newly imposed COVID-19-related requirements, is subject to EF’s Standard Cancellation Policy as outlined in the Booking Conditions.

Yes. A mask is not a replacement for social distancing, and all travellers should plan to socially distance as much as possible while on tour.

They will not be permitted to participate in any tour activities until they are wearing an acceptable mask. If there are multiple instances of a traveller refusing to wear a mask when required, they will be removed from the tour and sent home at their own expense.

Travellers must wear a mask on the coach bus on tour if required by local regulations.

Yes. While on tour, all travellers must wear a mask when required, and must wear a mask on their group’s private motorcoach if required by local regulations.

Currently, Public Health Canada indicates that people with COVID-19 have had a wide array of symptoms reported—ranging from mild symptoms to severe illness. Symptoms include:

• New or worsening cough
• Shortness of breath of difficulty breathing
• Temperature equal or over 38 degrees Celsius
• Feeling feverish
• Chills
• Muscle or body aches
• New loss of smell or taste
• Headache
• Gastrointestinal symptoms (abdominal pain, diarrhea, vomiting)
• Feeling very unwell

No, not at this time. Travellers are required to monitor their own health on a daily basis, paying specific attention to the development of any symptoms associated with COVID-19. While EF is not requiring temperature checks, there may be a requirement from specific suppliers on the tour, including airlines, hotels, restaurants, etc.

If a traveller has any symptoms associated with COVID-19, they should immediately contact their Tour Director and should not participate (at minimum) in that day’s tour activities. Depending on the situation, the traveller may be required to visit with a doctor, take a COVID-19 test, and/or quarantine in their hotel room. Additionally, we will follow all local public health guidelines in this scenario which may involve a required visit with a doctor, a COVID-19 test, and/or a quarantine period. The Group Leader or chaperone on tour will be required to remain at the hotel with the traveller to ensure proper supervision requirements are met.

In the event that a traveller has symptoms, and a medical professional or health authority has recommended testing for COVID-19, or if a traveller is known to have been in close contact on tour with an individual who has tested positive for COVID-19, EF will pay for the on-tour test.

EF is not issuing refunds for missed days of tour for symptoms associated with COVID-19. If a traveller has to interrupt their tour as they have been diagnosed with COVID-19, EF will provide a non-refundable, non-transferable Future Travel Voucher to the traveller with the following terms: 

• If the traveller has missed 50% or more of the tour duration, we will issue a voucher for 100% of the tour purchase price. 
• If the traveller has missed less than 50% of the tour duration, we will issue a voucher for a pro-rated amount of the purchase price calculated on the days missed. 

If a traveller has been in close contact with someone who has contracted COVID-19 while on tour and as a result must miss all or a part of their tour, EF will facilitate care and/or quarantine for the traveller/group as part of our COVID Care Promise, and will issue a non-refundable, non-transferable Future Travel Voucher to the traveller with the following terms: 

• If the traveller has missed 50% or more of the tour duration, we will issue a voucher for 100% of the tour purchase price. 
• If the traveller has missed less than 50% of the tour duration, we will issue a voucher for a pro-rated amount of the purchase price calculated on the days missed. 

If a traveller has to interrupt their tour as they have been diagnosed with COVID-19, EF will provide a non-refundable, non-transferable Future Travel Voucher to the traveller with the following terms: 

• If the traveller has missed 50% or more of the tour duration, we will issue a voucher for 100% of the tour purchase price. 
• If the traveller has missed less than 50% of the tour duration, we will issue a voucher for a pro-rated amount of the purchase price calculated on the days missed. 

The individual traveller who tests positive for COVID-19 will be isolated according to, at minimum, local public health guidelines. Generally speaking, travellers should expect to stay in their hotel rooms (likely in a single room) and food will be delivered to the hotel rooms. Travellers who need medical attention due to contracting COVID-19 will be connected with local medical professionals. This may involve bringing a medical professional to the hotel or bringing the traveller to a local medical facility, depending on the location and nature of the situation.

The duration of isolation due to a positive test for COVID-19 varies slightly based on the local requirements specific to the location and the traveller’s individualized situation. To leave isolation, a traveller must meet certain local requirements including (but not limited to) remaining symptom-free or (if symptomatic) the significant reduction of symptoms for a period of time (i.e. no fever, etc.).

According to the COVID Care Promise, EF will provide for hotels and meals during the quarantine or isolation period. See the COVID Care Promise for terms.

Travellers should review their Travel Insurance policy and/or certificate of insurance to confirm if their policy covers Cancellation, Interruption and/or Medical claims related to COVID-19.  

Each policy will have different inclusions, limitation, definitions and exclusions. Please take special note of anything related to: 

- Government travel advisories and travel health notices 

- Pandemic/endemic diseases 

- Policy definitions regarding unforeseen reasons, known risks. 

As government regulations and guidelines continue to evolve, please make sure you understand how these changes could affect your travel policy coverage.  

For travellers who have purchased the Global Travel Protection Plan, please review your respective policy documents below.  

Policy Number 9908-69-85 (Purchased after February 1, 2021) 

Certificate of Insurance 
Summary of Coverage 

Additional documents for residents of Quebec: 

Summary — highlights key elements of the Global Travel Protection Plan 
 

Policy Number 9908-50-37 (Purchased between April 1, 2019 to March 31, 2020) 

Chubb Insurance Policy 
Certificate of Insurance 

Additional documents for residents of Quebec: 

Summary — highlights key elements of the Global Travel Protection Plan 
 

For travellers who have travel insurance with a different insurer (through a parent’s work plan, for example), please review the policy.

If a traveller has to interrupt their tour due to isolation or quarantine, EF will provide a non-refundable, non-transferable Future Travel Voucher to the traveller with the following terms: 

• If the traveller has missed 50% or more of the tour duration, we will issue a voucher for 100% of the tour purchase price. 
• If the traveller has missed less than 50% of the tour duration, we will issue a voucher for a pro-rated amount of the purchase price calculated on the days missed. 

If a traveller satisfies specific requirements related to their vaccine and/or having recovered from COVID-19 in the three months prior to tour, there may be exceptions made to the quarantine requirement, depending on local guidelines. These situations will be evaluated and directed by trained contact tracers.

Close contact guidelines are based on local public health guidance in your tour destination. EF will inform you if any testing requirements are required for close contacts should someone in your tour group test positive for COVID-19. The duration of a quarantine due to exposure varies slightly based on location and the specific situation including whether or not travelers are vaccinated.

According to the COVID Care Promise, EF will provide for hotels and meals during the quarantine or isolation period. See the COVID Care Promise for terms.

If a traveller is unable to leave quarantine or isolation in order to return home on their group flight, our travel team will rebook their return flight at no additional cost to the traveller.

Different factors may require the extension of a quarantine, including (but not limited to) further positive COVID-19 test results, development of symptoms, specific public health guidance, etc.

We require travellers to follow local public health guidance related to quarantining due to possible exposure to COVID-19. We will do everything possible to facilitate the quarantine period including hotel booking, changing flights, etc., and keep the group informed of any and all quarantine requirements.

Whenever possible, if, through contact tracing, EF is able to determine that an individual who has tested positive for COVID-19 was in close contact with any tour group members, the group will be informed and may need to quarantine in accordance with local public health guidance.

As of October 1st, 2022 there are no vaccination, testing or quarantine requirements for entry into Canada as per the Government of Canada. Check here for the most up-to-date and current information and requirements: https://travel.gc.ca/travel-covid

No, EF will not pay for missed workdays or substitute teachers in the case of extended on-tour or post-tour quarantining.

If made aware that a member of the tour group has developed symptoms or is diagnosed with COVID-19 within a 10-day period of tour, EF will conduct contact tracing to understand who in the tour group must be informed and advised to quarantine and get a COVID-19 test based on the exposure timeframe. EF will not release the identity of the individual who has tested positive for COVID-19.