Teen health and wellness are our top priority while we travel. Find answers to some of our most commonly asked questions about how BBYO Passport approaches this on its Summer Experiences below. If you do not find the answer to your question, contact us and we will be happy to help!
COVID-19 APPROACH
In consultation with BBYO’s Medical Advisory Committee, BBYO is committed to enforcing policy and procedures for all individuals on BBYO Passport trips to ensure the health and safety of our communities. While news and information about COVID is ever-changing, we are continuously updating how our programs may be affected. BBYO is working to prepare the necessary measures to limit the spread of COVID-19 and to keep our teens, staff, and families healthy. View our Summer COVID-19 protocols here.
Everyone attending must be fully vaccinated for COVID-19 by the Pfizer, Moderna, AstraZeneca, or Johnson & Johnson vaccines. All participants must receive the COVID-19 booster if their second vaccine dose (or first dose for Johnson & Johnson) was received more than 180 days before the start of their session. The booster must be received no later than 14 days before a participant’s summer program arrival date.
All participants are required to participate in two pre-trip tests. Teens who have NOT had COVID-19 in the 90 days before arrival are required to have a lab-certified PCR test 72 hours before arrival to the program and a lab-certified or proctored antigen test 24 hours before arrival (NOTE: *a “proctored” antigen test is an at-home test kit that includes a virtual visit with an eMed Certified Guide who will help you properly administer the test and third-party verify the result.)
If a participant HAS had COVID in the 90 days before arriving at the program, they are required to have a lab-certified or proctored antigen test 72 hours before arrival and a lab-certified or proctored antigen test 24 hours before arrival.
No home tests will be permitted.
*NOTE: ALL TESTS MUST BE LAB-CERTIFIED
BBYO Passport participants must arrive at the airport with two negative test results. A participant may take a lab-certified rapid PCR test 72 hours before arrival but will still be required to take a lab-certified antigen test 24 hours before arrival as well.
You can either print your teen's negative test results or have them show us a digital copy of their negative test results on their phone at the airport on departure day.
A chart that details when your teen’s 72 Hour PCR/Antigen test and 24 Hour Antigen test need to be taken can be found here.
If an individual tests positive prior to the start of the program, they will not be allowed to travel and join for that program session. If there are summer program sessions with space available occurring at least 10 days after the positive test result, BBYO may transfer the teen’s registration to a later program. BBYO will not offer refunds or transfer funds for any programs outside of Summer 2022.
Symptomatic individuals will be tested with a rapid test. BBYO reserves the right to randomly test anyone on a program for any reason, failure to comply will result in the removal from the program. If a participant is not feeling well, they must report it to their staff member. Failure to go to report illness may result in further consequences for the teen, as it jeopardizes the health and safety of the entire community.
If an individual tests positive with a rapid antigen test onsite, they will be re-tested immediately to confirm results. If results confirm a positive case (with a rapid antigen test), the individual will be removed from programming, isolated from other participants with staff checking in, and you will immediately be contacted by a member of our staff about next steps.
If a teen tests positive,asymptomatic teens from the bus/group will need to wear N95 masks at all times when indoors for five days after initial contact with the positive teen. Social distancing guidance will be strictly followed during this period. BBYO reserves the right to test participants as we see fit.
Policies and procedures related to COVID-19 are everchanging and BBYO will follow guidelines and procedures based on the current policies of the location and time of travel, which will always include supervision by BBYO vetted staff who ensure that teens have all that they need to feel safe, comfortable, and cared for.
In the event of a positive COVID-19 case, the family of the teen with a positive result will immediately receive communication from our staff. All families of teens in the same room as the positive result will receive communications with details of precautions taken for the group. No personal details will be shared about individuals.
BBYO strongly recommends wearing a mask on domestic flights in the United States in an effort to keep our community safe and healthy. Teens are required to wear a mask on all international flights.
Vaccine medical exemptions are rare but may be considered. Those looking to be considered must share a letter from the child’s pediatrician or specialist as well as full vaccine and medical history. BBYO’s Medical Team will review exemption requests and the BBYO team will be in touch with the decision on exemption. Submissions should be shared here: Immunization Waiver.
BBYO reserves the right to institute an inclusive COVID fee of $80 per participant per program to cover expenses such as food service, cleaning, facility upgrades, and additional medical supplies and personnel.
BBYO IMMUNIZATION POLICY
All those who are in attendance at BBYO overnight experiences (teens and adults) are required to have the age-appropriate vaccines outlined in our immunization policy.
Vaccination guidelines vary by country and are continually evolving. We recommend consulting with your physician as well as the latest Center for Disease Control guidelines.
PROGRAM MEALS
Our program meals take on a variety of forms and may include hotel buffets, restaurants, specially catered meals, and allowance funds—pizur meals—for participants to purchase their own food. Teens may be introduced to new foods that they aren’t accustomed to. We encourage teens to keep an open mind and try the unique delicacies offered in the countries we travel to.
Participants with special dietary needs (e.g. lactose intolerance, gluten-free, kosher, etc.) should review our dietary restrictions commitment document and contact us in advance to be sure we can accommodate your needs during the program.
In Israel, all meals provided on the program are kosher.
In Europe and the Americas, all meals provided on the program are vegetarian when dining as a group. If kosher facilities are available, we will eat there.
Kosher meals during pizur time are subject to what is available locally and to the teens’ personal choices.
MEDICATION
Teens are responsible for carrying and self-administering their own medication. With the exception of over-the-counter treatments and EpiPens, our staff is not allowed to hold or administer prescribed medication and cannot be responsible for ensuring that prescribed medication is taken.
Special requests—such as refrigeration requirements—should be noted on your teen’s health form in their account.
Teens are never allowed to share or dispense prescribed medication.
