TRAVEL DURING COVID-19
For over the years,CVG has worked together with our participants and partners to make a long term sustainable difference in the communities within which we work.
Unfortunately, due to the impact of COVID-19, we had to make the decision to temporarily pause operations at all of our global locations. The hibernation of CVG’s hubs was done to help to prevent the spread of COVID-19 and keep our participants, staff and the community members we work with safe.
The good news is that many countries have started to relax restrictions, reopen borders and are now accepting international travellers. This means that, after careful planning, we’ve officially started reopening our global locations. The list of available travel destinations is growing daily, as more locations come out of hibernation.
COVID-19 RESPONSE
We understand that you may have questions as to how COVID-19 will affect your booking and travel plans, so we have put together some FAQs to explain the measures we have implemented to ensure your safety
OUR RESPONSE TO COVID-19
February 2021
The COVID-19 virus and the global response to it has impacted our ability to deliver all programs in all locations. The situation is fluid and we expect temporary program suspensions to be short term, and in the mid to long term to be operating all programs as planned. We are contacting incoming participants prior to their start dates to inform them of the current situation and if necessary, working with them to make contingency plans.
We continue to keep the health and safety of our participants, staff and community members at the forefront of all of our decisions. Should we find that the risk severity increases, we will take further action and notify our participants.
CVG continues to closely monitor the virus COVID-19 (formerly known as novel coronavirus 2019-nCoV) and follow updates from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the World Health Organisation (WHO), the UK, US and Australian government travel advice, and local government health advice in Ghana.
"I'd just like to take the opportunity to mention how amazing the staff have been [in dealing] with this whole situation [of travel restrictions caused by COVID-19]. They were all so helpful and understanding even in a time of uncertainty [...]. Everything ran so smoothly and even though it was a sad time for everyone they always put us first and were there to provide support night and day. Thank you for everything."
BOOKED AND ENQUIRING PARTICIPANTS
WHAT DO YOU NEED TO DO?
Please purchase travel insurance to cover you for all eventualities that may arise during your time with us. You may also wish to take out additional cancellation insurance to cover you in the event you are unable to travel.
Prior to travel please be sure to contact your local embassy in order to receive updated travel information. With updates changing multiple times daily, we encourage participants to receive the most up to date information from embassies directly. Due to the frequent updates for both countries of origin and destination, CVG is unable to provide updated travel advice relevant to each participant. Your local embassy can supply the most correct information.
Please ensure you are tested for COVID-19 72 hours prior to travelling to your CVG program, this is part of our commitment to keeping our participants, staff and community members safe. If this is not possible from your location please contact CVG manager in advance of any travel. We will also be screening new arrivals for any signs and symptoms of COVID-19, by conducting temperature checks and requiring all participants to present a medical certificate proving they have not tested positive for COVID-19.
In preparation for your return journey, CVG will also support you in reaching a COVID testing centre 72 hours prior to departure to your home country. This includes transport and accommodation in the nearest centre up to your program completion date with CVG.
We are very aware the media and social media have reported a vast amount of false information and so it is vital that you only follow official advice supplied by the embassy in your area.
For over the years, CVG has prioritised the health and safety of our staff, participants, partners and local community members. In response to the global COVID-19 pandemic, CVG has created the CVG health and hygiene team to put in place new standards of cleanliness, norms and behaviours that meet or exceed international recommendations to ensure the ongoing safety of CVG’s participants, staff and communities. Internationally recommended practices, such as advice from the World Health Organization (WHO), the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and the governments Australia, UK and US, continue to be monitored and the standards are likely to change if and when international advice changes.
The work CVG is contributing to across the globe remains important and the following measures allow our participants to continue to join CVG’s programs and continue impacting positively on their world and the communities we work with. The following changes to our existing protocols have been made by the CVG health and hygiene team to strengthen our health and hygiene protocols and ensure that international standard safeguards are in place to protect our participants, staff and host communities.
How CVG are keeping their volunteers safe during Covid-19.
When the Covid-19 pandemic began, we introduced a number of extra health and safety measures that have been implemented by all our local teams. These have been designed to minimize the risk of volunteers introducing a new infection to the local community, and minimize the risk of cross-infection between volunteers and from the local community.
These measures are in addition to our standard safety policies and are strictly enforced across every program to minimize the risks associated with Covid-19. Your wellbeing is always our highest priority.
How CVG are keeping their volunteers and communities safe - testing within 72hrs of travel.
All volunteers tested for Covid-19 within 72 hours of travel
On arrival all volunteer will be test for covid 19 in Ghana airport as Ghana government health requiremet and if negative the will not be any self Quarantine. Quarantine are only reduire
How CVG are keeping their volunteers and communities safe - information provided during orientation.
Health & safety information provided during orientation
How CVG are keeping their volunteers and communities safe - strict disinfecting standards.
Strict disinfecting standards for programs & accommodation
How CVG are keeping their volunteers and communities safe - greater physical distancing.
Greater physical distance between volunteers
All volunteers must be tested for Covid-19 within 72 hours prior to travel, where possible.
All volunteers will receive information about Covid-19 and how to minimize infection.
Increased frequency and depth of cleaning practices in accommodation and placements.
Antibacterial spray/wipes available at all placements with surfaces wiped between shifts.
Alcohol-based hand sanitizers available at project sites and program base.
Volunteers asked to maintain a greater physical distance from one another.
Symptomatic individuals will be isolated from others.
Volunteers will be assisted if they need testing, advice and/or treatment
We are very aware the media and social media have reported a vast amount of false information and so it is vital that you only follow official advice supplied by the embassy in your area.
CAN I CHANGE THE LOCATION OR START DATE OF MY PROGRAM?
Yes. From now until the end of 2024, if you have booked onto a CVG program, and you would like to transfer before your program start date, we are offering free transfers to any date or location. All transfers are subject to availability.
WHAT HAPPENS IF CVG CANCELS MY PROGRAM?
In the event that CVG must cancel a program, our first recourse will be to offer you a free transfer to another start date.
WHEN WILL I BE NOTIFIED IF CVG CANCELS MY PROGRAM?
In the event we are unable to run your program, you will be notified as soon as possible by phone or email and offered a free transfer to another start date or destination. Please refer to our terms and conditions for our cancellation policies.
Unfortunately, as the situation is ever changing, we are unable to provide you with a specific date when you will be notified of cancellation, or guarantee your program will run. If you do not hear from us, please note CVG.
WHAT HAPPENS IF I GET TURNED AWAY UPON ARRIVAL?
Your airline should have the most up-to-date information for entry requirements for your destination. They should alert you if they expect any issues on arrival before you board your flight. In the event this does not happen, and you are barred entry by immigration officials upon arrival, immigration will likely place you on the next available flight. Contact your CVG Program Manager in country or contact us on our 24-hour emergency line for emergency support.
Please ensure you check your travel insurance provider to ensure they will cover any costs for getting you back home and reimburse your program fee.
WHAT HAPPENS IF I GET QUARANTINED ON ARRIVAL?
In the event you are advised to quarantine upon arrival, contact your CVG Program Manager in country or contact us on our 24-hour emergency line for emergency support. We will advise you of an appropriate place to quarantine at a nearby local hotel or bed and breakfast where we can support you.
CVG will do its utmost to assist you with transferring your start date to allow you to participate on your program. However, please note this is subject to availability.
WHEN WILL I BE NOTIFIED IF CVG CANCELS MY PROGRAM?
CVG has no plans to cancel any of our programs. In the event we are unable to run your program, you will be notified as soon as possible by phone or email and offered a free transfer to another start date or destination. Please refer to our terms and conditions for additional information. Unfortunately, as the situation is ever changing, we are unable to provide you with a specific date when you will be notified of cancellation, or guarantee your program will run.
WHAT HAPPENS IF I’M ON MY PROJECT AND THE COUNTRY SHUTS ITS BORDERS?
CVG is continually monitoring travel restrictions both into and out of the countries where we operate. Should you be on your project and restricted to leave by the local government, CVG will continue to provide food, accommodation and back up programs (where possible).
CVG fellow updates from the WHO,CDC the Ghana, US and Australian State Departments and will keep participants and their emergency contacts up-to-date while you are on project. Please don’t hesitate to contact your CVG Program Manager in or contact us on our 24-hour emergency line for support.
Please ensure you have the contact details of your home country’s consulate in Ghana (e.g. The Amrican high commissioner, The British High Commission in Ghana) and register with them or sign up for updates if available. If you are a US Citizen, you can simply enroll in the Smart Traveller Enrollment Program (STEP): https://step.state.gov/
WHAT SUPPORT WILL CVG PROVIDE IF I’M UNABLE TO GET HOME?
CVG will assist with arranging accommodation in the event you are unable to get home due to flight cancellations or other restrictions. Our staff will still be available in country, as well as Central Support via telephone to help with any questions.
WHAT HAPPENS IF MY FLIGHT GETS CANCELLED?
In the event your flight is cancelled, and you are unable to get a new flight to your program, CVG will assist with transferring you to another date or location free of charge.
WHAT HAPPENS IF I, OR ANOTHER PARTICIPANT, CONTRACTS CORONAVIRUS?
CVG has an Emergency Action Plan and a dedicated health and hygiene team for each of our locations to handle any suspected instances of COVID-19. Alongside advice from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the World Health Organisation (WHO), the Ghana, UK, US and Australian Governments as well as local health authorities, we have identified best practice methods to reduce the chance of infection and transmission, including screening, preventative hygiene and sanitation procedures and initial isolation areas for any cases of potential concern on all our bases. For more information on the protocols and social distancing measures we have put in place, please visit our Health and Hygiene page.
For any cases where the patient shows specific symptoms of COVID-19, while in temporary isolation, CVG will contact the local health authorities and act on their advice. Should the patient be confirmed with COVID-19 and/ or need continued self-isolation, they will be placed on a separate part of the base or off-site, depending on each hub.
While isolation can be perceived as scary, the reality is that the patient will be assigned a CVG caregiver who will ensure they have everything they need during this period, including food, accommodation and emotional support.
To prevent the transmission of the virus to other participants, a number of procedures will be put in place in addition to isolation, including the CVG caregiver wearing protective clothing and best practice hygiene and sanitation of the base and isolated accommodation. Please ensure your travel insurance will cover any necessary medical care you may need while in country.
During this time CVG has continued to closely monitor the situation and follow updates from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the World Health Organisation (WHO), the UK, US and Australian government travel advice, and local government health advice from our operational locations.
While it was necessary to put a hold on our global operations, the work that we do is now as important as ever. With our international standards of health and safety, you can continue to make a positive impact in the world and pursue the causes you’re passionate about. In order to do this, we have put in place new and extensive procedures and protocols that will help us to ensure a safe experience for all and to help reassure our participants about travelling during and after COVID-19 with CVG.
To prevent the transmission of the virus to other participants, a number of procedures will be put in place in addition to isolation, including the CVG caregiver wearing protective clothing and best practice hygiene and sanitation of the base and isolated accommodation. Please ensure your travel insurance will cover any necessary medical care you may need while in country.