Help CenterWill you require the COVID-19 vaccine for 2024 Summer Programs?
No. AMIGOS strongly recommends all project staff to receive the most recent COVID-19 booster released after September 2023 if they have received the primary series. For those who have never received a COVID vaccination, the CDC recommends 1 dose of an updated (2023–2024 Formula) mRNA COVID-19 vaccine (i.e., Moderna, Pfizer-BioNTech) OR 2 doses of updated (2023–2024 Formula) Novavax vaccine.
The COVID-19 vaccination and booster help to reduce the risk of spreading COVID-19 to our partner organizations, communities, and host families, and reduces the risk of developing more serious infection for those who receive the vaccine.
All volunteers will be tested for COVID-19 twenty-four hours prior to leaving for homestays, if applicable to their project.
Will face masks be required while on AMIGOS?
We strongly recommend that volunteers wear high quality face masks when traveling from their home city to their project location.
What happens if my volunteer tests positive for COVID while on AMIGOS? What support does AMIGOS provide?
AMIGOS considers current CDC guidelines for isolation following a COVID-19 positive test. The current protocol includes five days of isolation followed by five days of masking, which is subject to change based on CDC guidelines.
During isolation, AMIGOS will fully support the volunteer, including regular check-ins to monitor their physical and emotional health. Should the volunteer be in isolation when the program ends, their return flight will be rescheduled, and they will remain in-country for the duration of their isolation. AMIGOS will provide all lodging, food, and support for the duration of this time. AMIGOS will notify parents directly should their child test positive for COVID-19.
AMIGOS will notify the parents/guardians of any volunteer who tests positive as well as the parents/guardians of close contacts (such as roommates).
My child tested positive on their pre-departure COVID test. What happens now?
If your child tests positive within five days of travel, they will not be able to travel as scheduled and should complete their 5-day isolation at home. Please let the On-Call team know immediately by emailing oncall@amigosinternational.org. No late arrivals to the project are allowed. AMIGOS will attempt to reschedule the volunteer on a later trip as space allows. However, this is not guaranteed.
My child tested positive after returning from the program. What should I do?
If your child tests positive after returning home from AMIGOS, you should notify the On-Call team at healthandsafety@amigosinternational.org. On-Call will then conduct contact tracing and notify families of close contacts of the exposure.