COVID-19 (Coronavirus) travel update
Updated Tuesday 17th March 2020
We recognise the significant and unprecedented challenges that you, as teachers are facing right now, and send our sincere best wishes during this difficult time. Please be assured that the team at European Study Tours will do our very best to support you, mitigate the effect for all concerned and keep you informed as and when we receive the latest travel updates.
Our latest updates will be posted here.
Latest information regarding international travel for schools
On Thursday 12th March, the government advised against overseas travel for students under 18 until further notice. This is due to concerns that the schools would face significant challenges in making arrangements to ensure children’s welfare should adult supervisors or children be required to self-isolate. You can read the full statement here.
On 17th March, the Foreign & Commonwealth Office (FCO) advised against all non-essential travel worldwide, initially for a period of 30 days.
This is a unique situation for all of us and we are working with ABTA and the School Travel Forum to seek further clarification on the statement from the government.
We are contacting groups to discuss their arrangements as each booking is likely to be different and we are prioritising customers due to depart over the next few weeks, working in chronological departure date order. Please be assured that we will be in touch with you in due course.
UK based trips
The Department for Education is not currently advising against domestic trips (residential and non-residential) for children under 18 and your trip within the UK will continue as planned. We will contact you if your trip is unable to go ahead.
We are monitoring the situation closely as it unfolds and if there are any changes to any advice, we will be in touch accordingly.
Over the next few weeks there will be short term disruption, however, we are hopeful that travel will return to normal and we can continue to support you in providing valuable learning experiences for your students.
Further links
Please take a look at the STF & ABTA Joint Statement – 13th March for more information
Travellers can find the latest advice here
You can find ABTA’s latest travel update and general advice for travellers here