Covid-19 + Mission Trips

For 2023 mission trips, we are continuing to look through the primary lens of keeping both local communities and volunteers healthy and safe, while providing meaningful and life-changing opportunities for cross-cultural service and mutual impact for all involved.

To do our best to not bring Covid cases into the community, we strongly encourage all teams to take extra care during the two weeks before your trip to intentionally avoid situations where the potential for Covid-19 exposure is high.

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EM’s Covid Safety Guidelines (Updated 2/23/23)

1. Symptoms & Testing

• To the best of your knowledge, we want you to arrive healthy. If any participant suspects they might have COVID before the trip, we ask that they only come if they test negative for COVID before they arrive. While we strongly recommend all team members get vaccinated for COVID-19 before their trip, EM does not have vaccination requirements for participants and there are no additional testing requirements.
• NOTE: Participants who test positive for Covid-19 within 3 days of the trip WILL NOT be allowed to participate and must stay home. Team Leaders will be asked to confirm that all participants are either symptom free, have received a negative COVID test, or meet the requirements below.
  • In order to participate, participants who test positive for COVID before the trip must be fever free (without the use of fever-reducing medication) with improving symptoms 5 days after the test. The CDC recommends wearing a mask for an additional 5 days.
• EM is not able to offer refunds for team members who are unable to participate due to a positive Covid test. In the event a team member is unable to participate, your team will receive a credit (for the amount paid toward for withdrawing team members minus the $100 per person deposit), to be used toward a future EM trip in the next 12 months.

2. Masking

• EM asks that all participants bring face masks with them in the event they are needed. We work with and listen closely to our local partners to determine the safest and most respectful ways to serve. Masks may be required at certain service locations out of respect and care for people present who are at higher risk of severe illness.

3. COVID Exposures

• EM asks all teams to bring an adequate supply of rapid COVID tests to be used if necessary. If anyone has cold or flu-like symptoms, they will be asked to stay back with a team leader in housing quarters to reduce exposing others and take a COVID test.
• NOTE: It is the responsibility of the Team Leader to help sick volunteer obtain test results and notify EM field staff of results.
• What happens if someone tests positive for COVID during the trip?
• The person who tests positive would need to leave the mission trip housing facility and work sites. Trip leaders and parents should make contingency plans for participants in case this occurs. Anyone who comes into close contact with the sick participant before testing may need to wear a well-fitting mask for the duration of the trip.
• Any costs related to testing, medical care, or the need to quarantine will be the sole responsibility of the individual or the team. Additionally, all oversight of the care for any team member feeling ill or showing symptoms will be managed by the Team Leader.

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We encourage all Team Leaders to remind their team that any Covid measures taken are done out of of love for the people we come to serve. “There is no greater love than to lay down one's life for one's friends.” (John 15:13) We believe it sends a powerful message of love to sacrifice a little of our personal freedom for the safety and health of others.

God continues to do great things in and through each mission trip. We humbly thank you for putting your trust in our team at EM.

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Interested in bringing your group on an upcoming mission trip? Fill Out an Interest Form today! We would love to help you decide when and where to serve together this year.

Fill Out an Interest Form