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Based on our experience with fielding expeditions in a post-pandemic world, we ask all team members to note the following safety tips in order to help reduce the risk their team is negatively impacted by COVID-19.

 

COVID-19 Safety Measures

Pre-fielding screening call: We will be in touch shortly before your team to go through a set of COVID screening questions, to clear you to join.

Please test for COVID-19 prior to traveling to your expedition.

Do not travel to your Earthwatch expedition or program if you have tested positive for COVID-19. 

Please call Earthwatch right away for the next steps. Earthwatch is maintaining flexible transfer options in order to encourage responsible participation. In the event of a cancellation due to a documented positive test for COVID-19 prior to travel, you will have the option to transfer to another expedition or transfer 100% of your contribution into an Expedition Fund for future use. 

At this time, Earthwatch does not require participants to be tested or vaccinated prior to fielding. Participants should discuss vaccination with their health care provider to decide what is appropriate for them. Participants who are vaccinated will still be required to comply with all COVID-19 safety measures as directed by project staff, as well as applicable rules and regulations.

Vaccination against COVID-19 is required for participation on all expeditions through December 2023. 

Earthwatch strongly encourages you to stay up to date with your vaccinations, including receiving booster doses if available. You will be required to provide proof of vaccination prior to fielding and should bring a copy with you when traveling.

As of June 1, 2022, face masks will be mandatory when required by local regulations, requested by program leaders or service providers, or recommended based on local conditions.

During the team, you may be asked to test and/or wear a mask in the event you or another person on site displays symptoms or tests positive for COVID-19.

You may be asked to test upon arrival at your expedition. 

Team Leaders have the right to require testing for COVID-19 and/or the use of face masks, either for individuals or for the team as a whole. Participants are asked to self-monitor and report any COVID-like symptoms throughout the expedition.

You must bring a supply of face masks with you for your personal use. Earthwatch supports a mask-friendly environment on all programs. In settings where masks are optional, any individual who prefers to continue to mask will be supported in that decision.

Earthwatch is adapting our programs to make single accommodations available wherever possible.

Adapted Logistics: Meals and activities will take place outdoors whenever possible. Where practical, physical distance will be maintained between individuals and ventilation will be increased indoors and in vehicles as much as possible.

New fielding guidelines will require face masks during field work and physical distancing whenever possible during research activities, lectures, and meals. When maintaining physical distance is not possible, face masks will be required.

Protecting local communities: To avoid posing additional risks to the communities where we work, interactions with local community members (outside of the research team staff) may be limited.

Earthwatch has added a communicable disease response plan, including plans for quarantine and patient care, to our expeditions’ Emergency Response Plans, which are made available to all participants on site.

Contingency Planning: We have added a communicable disease response plan, including plans for quarantine, testing, and patient care, to our expeditions’ Emergency Response Plans, which are made available to all participants on site.

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Our COVID-19 Response

Although the public health emergency has officially ended, COVID-19 still poses a risk to the well-being of communities and individuals around the world.

Earthwatch’s experienced risk management team, in close partnership with our scientists and field staff, continues to refine our COVID-19 safety protocols in line with current public health guidelines. Earthwatch is committed to using sound, science-driven decision-making to guide this important process. 

Earthwatch will continue to require proof of COVID-19 vaccination to join our expedition teams through the end of December 2023.

Our main reasons for this are:

  1. Minimizing the risk of transmission to the local communities in which we work. Some local communities still do not have widespread access to the vaccine and/or high-quality medical care, putting them at increased risk of severe illness.
  2. Minimizing the health risk to participants, staff, and scientists. Because Earthwatch programs are often in remote locations, the distance to medical care can cause delays in treatment, including timely access to medications. In addition, the quality of care may be limited in remote locations where qualified medical staff, equipment, and supplies may be in short supply. This is especially concerning for unvaccinated persons who have an increased risk of severe illness. 

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Because the impacts and understanding of COVID-19 are constantly evolving, and rules vary in different locations across the world, it is particularly important that you refer to public health authorities, such as the CDC, WHO or the website for your embassy within the project country for entry requirements and the most recent COVID-specific guidance for your destination.
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More information on the increased safety responsibilities of Earthwatch, project staff, and participants can be found in our COVID Disclosure Form.

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Effective September 1, 2021, in an effort to protect our volunteers, field staff, and members of the communities in which we work, Earthwatch will require proof of vaccination against COVID-19 for participation on all expeditions. 
Earthwatch will not require Face masks outdoors, except when required by local regulations or requested by project staff.
New Earthwatch fielding guidelines will require face masks during field work and physical distancing whenever possible during research activities, lectures, and meals.

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Because Earthwatch holds health and safety as a high priority for the field programs, your organization provides a gold standard for us to strive for, not just for our Earthwatch teams but for all groups that come to our campus for safe and inspiring experiences...We are so grateful for the time, thought, and effort you have put into your COVID-19 protocols and your site visit.

Sarah Hooper — Education Specialist, Schoodic Institute at Acadia National Park

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