| This is the second update we’ve released on the situation with Covid-19. If you missed the first one (with much more detail), please check your spam folder. As you know social distancing and prevention measures are now taking place in the USA to contain the spread of Covid-19. The goal with these measures is to contain the spread in the short term so life can get back to normal. This was proven quite effective in China and South Korea already. It’s important to keep in mind that our trips are still over 3 months away. So, while these measures in March can seem alarming to future travel, the reality is that there is still much uncertainty about what June and July will look like in the USA and Worldwide. There are basically two possible outcomes… #1 – The short term social distancing measures prove effective worldwide. The measures and cancellations are lifted, travel is deemed safe, and our trips go on as planned. #2 – The short term social distancing measures and cancellations are not immediately effective and/or are extended into the late spring and summer. Of course, we are hoping for the first one, but preparing for both. We’ve been working tirelessly with our tournament partners, ground partners, and airlines. To give you an example of how difficult this has been, the group travel airline phone wait times for some airlines have been over 3 hours! Anyway, where we are right now is not terribly different from where we were in our first update we sent on February 27th. We are still working on contingency options should we have to postpone or cancel our tours for this summer. We will have decisions made and contingency plans in place on most our trips no later than April 15th. We need to wait until April 1st or so to be able to see the results of the measures that are taking place right now. So, for now, still a waiting game for a couple weeks. I would encourage you to maybe wait to book your feeder flights until after April 15th. If you do book them before, consider the flight options that allow changes or cancellations without penalty. Many airlines charge a few dollars more for this flexibility. In this case, it’s probably worth it. I’m posting below some information specific to our three scheduled tours. Many of you have asked, what happens if the trip is cancelled? While we have not released the contingency plans yet, we will work hard to put together options for you should that situation arise. One important caveat to this is that if you account is not paid up to date (75% by March 1 and 100% by April 1) the contingency options may not apply. So, please make sure your accounts are current! If you have questions, please feel free to call. It’s hard to talk about something like this over a few words in a text message, so please just call us. Thanks and I really hope to see you all this summer! |
United World Games |
| The UWG is a large event (12,000+ athletes) and Austria is not far from Italy. So, of course, this one we are making sure to monitor what is going on. The Austrian government recently issued a ban on large gatherings through April 3rd. Right now, we have to wait and see how that plays out. After April 3rd if the ban is lifted, it’s very possible the UWG 2020 happens! If the ban is extended, the UWG could be forced to make the decision to cancel their event, thus canceling our trip. We will cross that bridge when it comes. We should have a better idea in just a few weeks and be able to make a final decision by April 15th. But I do want to stress that I have been in close personal contact with the UWG staff and we remain optimistic of the event and our tour happening safely. You can read the official United World Games release here. |
Lisboa Lacrosse Cup |
| Portugal has been lucky to be one of the places where Covid-19 has not had much of an outbreak. So far they have 41 cases, and 90% of them in the north of Portugal (only around 5 or 6 in Lisbon). All the cases are still related, and came from Italy. The government is taking major decisions and to prevent the virus from spreading and not to happen what happened in Italy they are currently closing all schools, universities, sports events, nursing homes, flights to/from the most affected areas were also cancelled. A major shut down for the next 14 days is in place in Portugal as a preventive measure. All the events that were supposed to happen in March, April, and May were cancelled or postponed, but June and July events so far haven’t been changed. If the ban is extended, the Lisboa Lacrosse could be forced to make the decision to cancel their event, thus canceling our trip. We will cross that bridge when it comes. We should have a better idea in just a few weeks and be able to make a final decision by April 15th. But, I do want to stress that I have been in close personal contact with the Lisboa Lacrosse Cup staff and we remain optimistic of the event and our tour happening safely. |
Argentina Experience |
| Thankfully, Argentina is one of the least infected countries on the plnet right now. At the moment there are 19 imported cases in Argentina, and all of contagion. The government is taking measures to minimize/stop contagion from the countries more affected with the Covid-19, and has ordered that all airlines arriving to Argentina comply with the protocol of the Ministry of Health. At the same time the President ordered the “emergency cabinet” to have the support and direct coordination of more than 20 specialists in infectology in Argentina. If the situation gets worse in Argentina (or in the USA), we could be forced to postpone or cancel our trip. We will cross that bridge when it comes. We should have a better idea in just a few weeks and be able to make a final decision by April 15th. But, I do want to stress that I have been in close personal contact with my partner in Argentina and we remain optimistic of our tour hapenning safely. |
WHERE TO GET MORE INFO |
| This is probably good advice for ALL news and information you consume, but it’s especially important in this case. Be careful of what you read on Facebook or CNN or Fox or whatever. The unfortunate reality of the World we now live in, is that ‘news’ isn’t always just news. We’d encourage you to get travel advice and guidance from these sources directly. US State Department Travel Advisories World Health Organization Center for Disease Control |
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