Health & Safety

HEALTH & SAFETY​

Humanitarian XP SafeCrossings Program

The following SafeCrossings protocols were developed in response to the global COVID-19 pandemic that began in January 2020. Although travel looks very different these days, you can trust that our care for your Builder and their safety has always been and will remain our top priority. We are working hand-in-hand with our Local Coordinators and Trip Leaders to ensure that all safety and cleaning procedures follow the highest standards. These protocols are intended to be a living document, subject to appropriate modification as needs evolve. The last updates were applied on November 20, 2020.

Humanitarian Experience has no special knowledge of health hazards – either during your travel or while at your destination. For the latest travel health information, including COVID-19 data, all travelers should review the State Department’s travel advisories at travel.state.gov and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention website at www.cdc.gov/travel.

Humanitarian Experience has no responsibility for COVID-19-related requirements or restrictions that are imposed by travel suppliers and governments, such as health affidavit forms, health screenings, face coverings, vaccines, or quarantines. For the latest COVID-19 government travel regulations, please reference the International Air Transport Association website at www.iatatravelcentre.com.

What else does hxp do to keep builders safe?

Builder safety is our top priority! For more information about what we do to make sure our Builders are safe while they’re away from home, check out the blog post below .

Safety Protocols

Here's what you can expect when you travel with Humanitarian XP

On the bus

  • Daily deep clean of all vehicles prior to use
  • High-touch areas, such as armrests and railings, sanitized at regular intervals throughout the day
  • Loading will be done in reverse seat order (back of the bus to the front)
  • Travelers who are able should place and remove their own luggage in the luggage bay
  • Driver is available to assist with luggage for those who need help
  • Increased distance between each occupied seat to ensure adequate social distancing (in some cases, Humanitarian XP may assign seats)
  • Face coverings required for all drivers and travelers
  • Disposable face coverings available for travelers that need one
  • Hand sanitizer and disinfectant wipes available for travelers
  • Disembarkation will begin at the front and travelers should allow appropriate social distancing when getting off the bus by remaining seated until their turn
  • Due to adherence of social distancing guidelines, travelers must be able to board and disembark from the bus without assistance

Day to Day

  • Face coverings required for all guests and employees in all indoor public areas of the hotel
  • Masks may be removed when eating, but face covering must be worn when moving around the dining room
  • Hotel employees to wear gloves for any work in guestrooms or kitchen
  • High-traffic and high-touch areas cleaned and sanitized regularly
  • Hand sanitizer stations available at hotel entrances, front desks, elevator banks, and meeting spaces
  • Reduced capacity in elevators and reorganization of common-area furniture to ensure appropriate social distancing
  • Each guestroom thoroughly cleaned and disinfected between guest stays
  • Rearranged seating to ensure appropriate social distancing measures
  • Face coverings required for all servers and restaurant employees
  • Hand sanitizer stations available at dining room entrances
  • Pre-packaged or grab-n-go options available for some meals
  • Nightly deep cleaning and sanitizing of all areas of dining room and kitchen
  • Cleaning and sanitizing of tabletop and seating between guests
  • Daily self-health assessment to be completed by all travelers to confirm they do not have symptoms of or exposure to COVID-19
  • Face coverings required for all travelers and employees while indoors, on the bus, and during most tours and site visits
  • Appropriate social distancing to be maintained throughout the day

When You Fly

Please note: Some enhancements may not be available at all airports, on all flights, or with every airline carrier. Please check with your individual domestic airline in regards to their specific safety and cleaning protocols.

  • Contactless travel assistance through each airline carrier’s mobile app

May vary based on airport:

  • Temperature checks for employees, flight attendants, and other airport personnel
  • Face coverings required for all travelers and employees
  • Disposable face coverings available for travelers that need one
  • Self-health assessment to be completed by all travelers to confirm they do not have symptoms of or exposure to COVID-19 and will wear a face covering throughout travel
  • Disinfecting high-touch areas such as kiosks, check-in counters, and baggage stations
  • Hand sanitizer stations available in high-traffic and high-touch locations
  • Protective shields at check-in and gate podiums
  • Additional contactless travel assistance through each airline carrier’s mobile app, including touchless check-in options for customers with bags and bag delivery from the airport to your final destination (not available with all airlines)
  • Floor decals throughout the terminal and at gates to promote social distancing and instruct travelers to stand 6 feet apart
  • Disinfecting high-touch areas such as security bins, door handles, handrails, elevator buttons, telephones, and computers
  • Hand sanitizer stations and disinfectant wipes available
  • Face coverings required for all customers, employees, and TSA employees
  • TSA employees are required to wear gloves
  • Alternating lanes at security (when available) and floor decals will instruct travelers for appropriate social distancing measures
  • Self-scan boarding passes
  • Fewer travelers will board at one time, and the plane will be boarded from the back to the front to promote social distancing
  • Electrostatic spraying with to sanitize gate areas and jet bridges

May vary by airlines:

  • Face coverings required for all travelers and employees for the duration of flight, and may only be removed to eat or drink
  • Disposable face coverings available for travelers that need one
  • Individual hand sanitizer wipes available for travelers
  • Onboard items like pillows and blankets available upon request
  • Passengers are asked not to congregate near the lavatory or the galley
  • Disinfecting high-touch areas, like tray tables, armrests, and overhead bins, before boarding
  • Reduced contact between flight attendants and travelers during food and beverage service (food/beverage service not available on all flights)
  • Aircraft cleaning standards meet or exceed CDC guidelines
  • While de-planing, travelers will be invited to deboard in small groups to reduce crowding and remain seated until their turn
  • Electrostatic spraying to disinfect aircraft before every flight
  • State-of-the-art, hospital-grade, high-efficiency (HEPA) filters to circulate air and remove at least 99.97% of airborne particles
  • Depending on the airline carrier, middle seats have been blocked and the total number of customers per flight has been reduced (not all airlines have adopted this policy).

Strength In Numbers

At Humanitarian Experience, we recognize that we all need to do our part to ensure the safety and security of all of our Builders. Towards this end, we invite you to join us to help keep everyone safe and healthy during our travels. Here’s what you can expect from us, from your fellow travelers, and from yourself during your journey:

  • Wearing face coverings is required for all Humanitarian XP staff, guides, and other personnel while indoors, on the bus, and during most tours and site visits
  • Daily self-health assessment and temperature screenings for Humanitarian XP staff, tour guide(s), and driver(s), and anyone else who may have a consistent presence with our Builders
  • Maintaining contact with local attractions to understand operational impact in regards to group sizing restrictions and timings, entrance/exit procedures, visitor requirements, and other regulations that may impact the group’s visit
  • Giving regular reminders to wear face coverings, wash hands, observe social distancing, and follow personal hygiene recommendations (cough/sneeze etiquette, limit touching of face/nose/mouth, etc.)
  • If a Builder begins to develop symptoms related to COVID-19, Humanitarian XP staff or guide will assist the Builder in obtaining appropriate health care services or consultations (any health care expenses or alternate travel arrangement expenses are the responsibility of the individual traveler)
  • If other groups/individuals are not adhering to health and safety guidelines as deemed appropriate, Humanitarian XP Trip Leaders will remove the group from that area immediately
  • If any individual traveler with Humanitarian XP is not adhering to health and safety requirements as deemed appropriate, Humanitarian XP reserves the right to remove this traveler from the group and/or refuse service to this individual for the safety and security of the rest of the group. Please note: Traveler forfeits any monies paid for any missed portion of the tour and is responsible for any alternate travel arrangement expenses associated with their removal from the group for any reason.
  • Completing a daily self-health assessment to confirm they do not have symptoms of or exposure to COVID-19
  • Wearing face coverings which will be required for all travelers and employees while indoors, on the bus, and during most tours or site visits
  • Washing hands regularly, especially after using the restroom and before/after meals, as well as following personal hygiene recommendations (cough/sneeze etiquette, limit touching of face/nose/mouth, etc.)
  • Observing physical boundaries and maintaining appropriate social distancing measures while on the worksite, during meals, while on the bus, and at all other times during the group’s activities
  • Following all instructions given by Humanitarian XP Trip Leaders, guides, or other personnel in response to safety, hygiene, or other health-related issues
  • If any individual traveler with Humanitarian XP is not adhering to health and safety requirements as deemed appropriate despite a verbal reminder or warning, Humanitarian XP reserves the right to remove this traveler from the group and/or refuse service to this individual for the safety and security of the rest of the group. Please note: Traveler forfeits any monies paid for any missed portion of the tour and is responsible for any alternate travel arrangement expenses associated with their removal from the group.
  • Completing a daily self-health assessment to confirm you do not have symptoms of or exposure to COVID-19
  • Wearing face coverings which will be required for all travelers and employees while indoors, on the bus, and during most tours or site visits
  • Washing hands regularly, especially after using the restroom and before/after meals, as well as following personal hygiene recommendations (cough/sneeze etiquette, limit touching of face/nose/mouth, etc.)
  • Observing physical boundaries and maintaining appropriate social distancing measures while doing site visits, during meals, while on the bus, and at all other times during the group’s activities
  • Following all instructions given by Humanitarian XP staff, Trip Leaders, guides, or other personnel in response to safety, hygiene, or other health-related issues
  • If you do not adhere to health and safety requirements as deemed appropriate, Humanitarian XP reserves the right to remove you from the group and/or refuse service to you for the safety and security of the rest of the group. Please note if you choose not to follow these expectations, you will forfeit any monies paid for any missed portion of the tour and will be responsible for any alternate travel arrangement expenses associated with your removal from the group.

Frequently Asked Questions

Yes, wearing face coverings is required for all travelers and employees while indoors, on the bus, and during most tours or site visits, especially when recommended social distancing measures are difficult to maintain.

If you refuse to follow Humanitarian XP’s face covering policy when required, you may be refused transport or lose your travel privileges with Humanitarian XP for a certain period of time that will be determined when we review the incident. If an Humanitarian XP staff member or representative notices or is informed of a traveler who is not wearing a face covering when required, they will proactively inform the traveler that for the health and safety of everyone, face coverings are mandatory for all customers and employees while indoors, on the bus, and any other time when social distancing requirements are not possible. They will also offer to provide a face covering if needed. If the traveler continues to not wear a face covering, the Humanitarian XP staff member or representative will report the incident so that it can be reviewed.

Yes, you are encouraged to bring and wear your own face covering which must cover both your mouth and nose. If you do not have one, a face covering will be provided for you.

Yes, one face covering per Builder, per day is included at no additional charge. Although disposable face coverings will be available, we encourage all Builders to bring and wear their own face coverings.

The SafeCrossings program was instituted in response to the COVID-19 pandemic to ensure the safety of all our Builders and staff. The SafeCrossings program follows current recommendations and protocols given by global health experts at the World Health Organization, the Centers for Disease Control, and the World Travel & Tourism Council. Our steadfast commitment to travel safely has always been and will always be our top priority. We do anticipate that certain aspects or protocols of the SafeCrossings program will change over time given the evolving nature of global health risks. Any updates to this policy will be shared with registered Builders and made available on our website.

Any 2021 trip booked during registration is eligible for our money-back guarantee promotion – see our COVID-19 Response Page for complete details. Travelers who miss any trip due to contracting COVID-19 or being exposed to COVID-19 prior to departure will not be given a refund. Humanitarian XP encourages each traveler to purchase “Cancel for Any Reason” travel protection coverage and to fully understand the carrier’s policy and exclusions. Humanitarian XP strongly recommends self-quarantining 14 days before trip departure to avoid any accidental exposure.

Yes,  we anticipate that every Builder will be required to pass a PCR COVID test immediately prior to travel.  

Each country where we travel will likely have different COVID protocols related requirements for entry. Some may require a COVID test or a vaccine upon arrival. Each Builder will be required to meet all the COVID requirements of their chosen country and will need to pay for any additional COVID-related costs, as these guidelines are constantly changing. Refunds will not be offered due to changed guidelines.  

Humanitarian XP recommends that Builders self-quarantine for at least a week before traveling to mitigate their chances of testing positive for the virus prior to travel.  

If a Builder begins to develop symptoms related to COVID-19, Humanitarian XP staff or guide will assist the Builder in obtaining appropriate health care services or consultations (any health care expenses or alternate travel arrangement expenses are the responsibility of the individual traveler). Humanitarian XP has contracted with a global emergency health and security services company to ensure that Builders have excellent and immediate care.  

Humanitarian XP will follow all local ward and stake guidelines regarding meeting restrictions and required COVID-19 protocols. Any  interactions with local members will happen only with the explicit permission of local Church leaders.  

Wearing face coverings is required for all Humanitarian XP staff, workers, guides, and other personnel while indoors, on the bus, on the worksite, and during most tours and site visits. Daily self-health assessment and temperature screenings for Humanitarian XP staff, tour guide(s), and driver(s), and anyone else who may have a consistent presence with our Builders will be required. Humanitarian XP will be maintaining contact with local attractions to understand operational impact in regards to group sizing restrictions and timings, entrance/exit procedures, visitor requirements, and other regulations that may impact the group’s visit. Trip Leaders will be giving regular reminders to wear face coverings, wash hands, observe social distancing, and follow personal hygiene recommendations (cough/sneeze etiquette, limit touching of face/nose/mouth, etc.).  

While Humanitarian XP does include travel insurance for every Builder, we strongly recommend that Builders consider purchasing an additional “Cancel for Any Reason” insurance policy to protect their investment should they test positive or become exposed just before the trip and cannot join, or simply decide that they are not comfortable with traveling.  

Learn more

Fine Print: Humanitarian Experience has no special knowledge of health hazards — either during your travel or while at your destination. For the latest travel health information, including COVID-19 data, all travelers should review the State Department’s travel advisories at travel.state.gov and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention website at https://wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel 

Humanitarian Experience has no responsibility for COVID-19-related requirements or restrictions that are imposed by travel suppliers and governments, such as health affidavit forms, health screenings, face coverings, vaccines, or quarantines. For the latest COVID-19 government travel regulations, please reference the International Air Transport Association website at www.iatatravelcentre.com.