COVID-19 Policies & Procedures

HEALTH AND SAFETY for CATHOLIC MISSION TRIPS, INC 

Catholic Mission Trips, Inc is committed to working with you, the communities we serve, and your collective participation to ensure health safety and prevention of COVID-19 and the COVID-19 variants.

PRIOR TO MISSION WEEK 

In accordance with CDC travel guidelines, all participants are asked to avoid nonessential gatherings 2 weeks prior to travel and to follow all CDC guidelines. If one leaves home, please use a mask, wash hands frequently, and use safe social distancing. Up to 3 days before arrival all participants must obtain a negative COVID-19 test OR proof of vaccination to attend the mission trip OR indicate the date of testing positive for COVID-19 to ensure a safe environment for all participants. On the day of mission departure, a responsible adult will check the body temperature of each participant and ask screening questions to confirm family and household members have been free of the following symptoms for at least 14 days: fever, chills, cough, shortness of breath or difficulty breathing, fatigue, muscle or body aches, headache, new loss of taste or smell, sore throat, congestion or runny nose, nausea or vomiting, or diarrhea.

EMERGENCY PREPAREDNESS

Catholic Mission Trips, Inc will work with parish youth leader for groups or adult participants for individual trips to create an emergency plan in the event that a participant develops symptoms or COVID-19 while on the mission trip. CMT reserves the right to send the whole group home. If any participant or CMT staff tests positive for COVID-19, it is assumed all participants have been exposed to COVID-19. CMT Team Leader and Youth Leader will revert to the group Emergency Plan. All parents and participants will receive a copy and must sign the COVID-19 Policies & Procedures and COVID-19 Emergency Plan. 

DURING MISSION WEEK 

CMT Staff is committed to sanitizing all surface areas. Frequent handwashing will be expected of all participants and hand sanitizing stations will be readily available. Each participant will receive a daily health screening including temperature checks and asking each participant about symptoms. 

The mission team will be considered family for the week. Masks will not be required in the personal mission team lodging area or during traveling in the car. Sleeping quarters will be spaced apart. All participants are welcome to wear masks anytime during the mission week to ensure personal health, safety and comfort. 

All participants and staff should have a mask with one’s belongings or in one’s pocket at all times while in public places, work sites, community outreach activities, and for attending events at the local parish. When social distancing is not possible, i.e., when 

within 6 feet of someone not in the CMT group, face masks are required. In addition to following CDC guidelines, CMT will also follow local and state ordinances regarding the wearing of face masks and other safety guidelines. Check with the Director of Missions for the most current information for your mission location.

AFTER MISSION WEEK

CDC does not require travelers to undergo a mandatory federal quarantine. However, CDC recommends that unvaccinated travelers self-quarantine after travel for 5 days, get a viral test 3-5 days after travel, and self-monitor for symptoms. Individuals or parents must contact the youth leader if the participant experiences any symptoms of illness up to 14 days after returning home. The youth leader will contact the Director of Missions from Catholic Mission Trips, Inc: Megan Yedkois at (540)825-2917 or [email protected] to report illness, and if necessary, fellow participants will be contacted. By attending the mission, each participant and parents must acknowledge the risks associated and importance of prevention regarding COVID-19 and COVID variants. We ask each family to be prepared to have an action plan if a participant returns home with being exposed to COVID-19.

CDC Domestic Travel Recommendations

https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/travelers/faqs.html