Tested for COVID

https://www.ricksteves.com/tours/coronavirus-faq

If you have symptoms, your fellow tour members are hoping you have the integrity to initiate a test yourself. If not, the RS tour guide can always request a tour member test. I think they are suggesting you pack several at home tests “just in case.”

This question of “Does the tour group test you while on tour for COVID or how is testing/enforced during RS tours?” and the idea of “… your fellow tour members are hoping you have the integrity to initiate a test yourself” are a bit of a moral quandary.

If the company selling you the tour accepts no liability whatsoever for negligence, what ethical responsibility does the traveler have to divulge anything at all about their state of health (or state of ill health) to anyone during the tour? Integrity and taking responsibility for your actions- or inactions- should be mutual.

I’d do the right thing and test if I had symptoms and remove myself from the tour. Buy travel insurance!

I would do the same as Diane. It is very selfish to go on a tour or mingle closely with other people when one has any contagious illness. You don’t know if your mild illness might not make someone else seriously ill or even kill them. My opinion is that if you don’t want to be considerate of fellow tour members you shouldn’t take a tour. Travel independently instead.

Unfortunately most people aren't like the above. Right before Covid, my parents went on a tour(not RS or Road Scholar) and there was a couple who had an obvious cold(coughing, running nose). Before the end of the tour 1/4 of the people also came down with the same cold/flu and my parents both got chest colds. On the tour, the couple admitted they were sick, but had spent too much money to cancelled and thought that they would get over it.

If you are worried about Covid, be proactive and test or wear a mask if you think you have symptoms. Because no one else will be looking out for you.

I have never taken a cruise but I gather if one comes down with norovirus while on board you have to be prepared to be quarantined in your room. I have no idea how this is monitored but if you self identify to the cruise’s medical team, that may be all it takes. Norovirus can be risky for anyone that can be compromised by dehydration.