This morning I received an email about our upcoming Sicily tour and nowhere on it did it mention having to show a negative Covid test to the tour guide at the beginning of the tour. When I took a further look (admittedly very quick look) at Tour Documents, I couldn't find that request either. Has RS dropped that requirement? Does anyone know?
Edited to add: I was sent a form email in error. RSE has contacted me.
The quote below is still present under "FAQs" on the tour account page.
"Will I need a negative COVID-19 test prior to joining a tour?
Yes. Given the Omicron variant's transmisability we're currently requiring a negative COVID-19 viral test (PCR or antigen) taken within 48 hours of the first day of your tour. Because COVID is constantly changing, we'll notify you by email about specific testing requirements two months prior to your tour's departure. Your airline and/or the countries you're visiting may also require proof of a negative COVID-19 test for entry."
Things may be changing, but at this time the requirement is still present on the tour account page.
We received a similar email today and the it clearly states the need for a test within a 48 hr period.
I wonder if they will drop the requirement since Italy no longer requires testing?
How very odd. Ours very clearly did not state the need for a test. Perhaps we were sent an old tour document?
In your Tour Account, click on View and Manage Tour, then on View Documents, then on the doc titled Tour Member Expectations. You'll find this language:
Be able to present a negative COVID-19 viral test (PCR or antigen) taken within 48 hours of the first day of your tour depending on your tour start date. We will notify you by email about specific testing requirements one month prior to the start of your tour.
If you go back to View Documents and click on Tour Conditions, the document that pops up has a subsection titled Tour Member Expectations, and there is covid language in there but not the 48 hour test requirement.
Seems like they're making an effort to inform tour members of this requirement but haven't yet coordinated all the documents.
I just sent an email to the tour office asking when they will provide guidance - we are now one month away from our tour and as mentioned in a previous post, the Tour Expectations document says they will email specific information one month prior to tour. I will follow-up with what I hear.
Rick said at one point they would require tests for the tours running through April, then reevaluate.
We got an email yesterday with the testing requirements included for an April tour that we canceled.
However, we booked a different tour leaving the previous day in April , and haven’t gotten that email. I also sent RSE an email for clarification.
I got my email today for my tour to Greece. There was an entire paragraph about getting tested and how you could get help from the hotel to find a place to be tested before the tour. Maybe it’s different depending on the country you’re visiting.
Anne, what is the date of your tour? I understood that all tours through April would require testing. Anyone get any notifications regarding tours in May?
Heidi here, from Tour Sales & Service.
Yes we are still requiring our tour members on April departures to present a negative COVID (PCR or Antigen; self-tests with telehealth services are acceptable) test taken within 48 hours of the start day of their tour. We send these final COVID protocols and requirements to our tour members via email 30 days prior to the start of the tours. They are also loaded into everyone's online tour account shortly before that, and show up on each itinerary page.
We have not yet made the decision whether to require testing for our May tour departures.
Thanks, heidi.
Apparently I was sent a routine email in error. Heidi has contacted me.
I also heard from RSE who apologized for the confusion on tours, but didn’t say anything about the testing requirement.
We were expecting to have to test upon arrival, and will do so. We’re staying at the tour hotel a few days early, and expect they know where to send us, although we will have a few Binax Now packed.
From todays RS Tour Updates. “Several travelers have forgotten we require a negative COVID test, taken within 48 hours of the tour start date. Thankfully, tests are easy to get from local pharmacies (located near tour hotels; takes about 30 minutes, costs around $25). Our guides are leaving notices at the hotel, so everyone is reminded before attending the welcome meeting. We confirm vaccination status and a negative test result for all tour members, before the meeting gets underway. Knowing we’re all set, the fun part of the tour begins!”
