Update On Coronavirus (COVID-19)

The safety of our volunteers is our top priority, so it is important that our volunteers are aware of and educated about potential threats to their safety and well-being during a United Planet program abroad.  We are closely monitoring the COVID-19 virus and remain in close communications with our Country Coordinators and in-country partners around the world.

Volunteer Abroad Destination Reopening

If you don’t see the country you’re looking to volunteer abroad in, please don’t hesitate to reach out to us at quest@unitedplanet or leave us a contact form. We’ll work with you and consider your request on a case-by-case basis.

COVID-19: What To Expect When Travelling Abroad

Testing Requirements

• All travelers must submit a negative antigen (antigen) or NAAT (e.g., RT- PCR) COVID-19 test result within 3 days of departure. Please note that some countries require one within 48 or 24 hours.

Health Screenings

• Required at many airports, could require another COVID test
  • In Costa Rica, additional tests are given only if the individual exhibits symptoms

Quarantine/Curfew

•  Quarantine is required and limitations vary per country.
• Some countries have implemented curfews that last from the late night to early morning (eg. 10:00 p.m.-5:00 a.m.)

Intrastate/Interstate Travel

• Some countries have restricted intrastate travel
• Avoid traveling to COVID hotspots within your destination country

Status of United Planet Programs

The purpose of this overview is to provide information about the facts of the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) so that volunteers may make informed decisions about their programs and take the appropriate precautions to avoid transmission. The following information has been provided by the Centers for Disease Control. More details can also be found with the World Health Organization and with the US State Department.

More details can also be found with the World Health Organization and with the US State Department.

United Planet acts in accordance with the CDC and State Department Travel Advisories and has currently relaunched selected destinations, as listed above, and we’re still working to structure reopening plans in other countries. We are closely monitoring the situation for all volunteers in-country who have decided to volunteer abroad during COVID-19 with safety measures according to CDC’s and the select country’s travel & safety requirement.  Feel free to contact us if you have any questions or concerns.

All volunteers who have enrolled in a Quest are provided with an emergency medical insurance policy. During our pre-departure training, volunteers are advised on health and safety precautions to take while volunteering abroad. If you are enrolled in a Quest, we encourage you to speak with your doctor about what precautions to take. United Planet closely follows the travel alerts and warnings issued by the U.S. State Department and we make changes to our programs based on this information.

If you choose not to travel when the time of your program comes due to travel warnings or restrictions, we can postpone your program until travel opens back up. Any fees towards your program will be transferred.

The Trip Cancellation/Interruption insurance add-on does not cover if a volunteer chooses not to travel due to fear or worry over the virus. The Trip Cancellation/ Interruption add-on only covers if someone contracts the virus before travel and is deemed by a doctor unable to travel, or if a person contracts the virus abroad and a doctor certifies it is best for them to travel home and end their trip.

During this crisis, the needs of communities for both financial and human resources have never been greater.  United Planet is responding by offering virtual volunteering and internships across our global programs.  More information can be found on the Virtual Internships and Volunteer Opportunities page.

Learn more by visiting the Health and Safety page of our website and please don’t hesitate to contact us if you have any questions!