While the world is managing the global COVID-19 pandemic we have a different set of guidelines with regards to travel. Travel is permitted, but international travel needs to be signed off by Siobhan.
Before requesting travel, you should complete a risk assessment and make sure that there are no risks associated with travel that cannot be mitigated. When requesting travel you should send a message Siobhan on Slack with:
- Your destination
- Who is travelling
- The purpose of the trip
- A rough estimate of costs
- Current status with regards to COVID-19 at your home and your destination
- Confirm whether there is a travel corridor between countries
Once your travel has been agreed, you should open an expenses ticket per our usual expenses policy.
You should also follow the below rules with regards to travel.
Do not travel if you or anyone you live with has symptoms of COVID-19
If you or anyone you live with experience symptoms in the days before you travel, you should cancel your plans or postpone them until you have received a test result.
Do not travel if your or anyone you have had close contact with test positive with COVID-19
If you test positive for COVID or you have had close contact with someone who has tested positive for COVID then you should self-isolate for a period of 14 days (or the time frame recommended by your local government.) You should cancel any planned work travel immediately.
Follow government guidance on International Travel
Human Made will not pay for or encourage any travel that is not in line with guidance provided by either your local government or the destination government. You should not make plans to travel for work to any country which your government is advising against travel to. It is your responsibility to check local restrictions before you book anything. When making a request to travel you should include information on current restrictions.
Follow local government guidance on National Travel
You should also follow your government’s guidance on national travel. If you are currently in a lockdown situation or your government is advising against national travel then you should follow those guidelines.
Be prepared to cancel your travel
In the period up to your travel you should regularly check your government’s travel advisory – this includes up to the day that you travel. The day before you travel you should message Siobhan to confirm that restrictions have not changed and that you can still travel. If your destination country is added to a quarantine list or your government advises against travel to the country, you will need to cancel your plans. If you choose to travel anyway you will need to reimburse Human Made for the cost of your travel.
Follow destination government guidance on social distancing and other measures
Whether you are travelling nationally or internationally you should make sure that, at a minimum, you are following government guidelines in your destination country. It is your responsibility to ensure that you are aware of any guidance and following it correctly.
Be prepared to quarantine
If government guidance changes while you are visiting another country then you should be prepared to quarantine when you return to your home country. You should follow any government guidance and restrictions in place. If you are self-isolating you will still be expected to work (unless you have contracted COVID, which falls under our sickness policy).
Follow these guidelines for a COVID-safe meetup
You should follow the national guidance of the location of your meetup. You should also follow the below guidelines to ensure that your meetup is safe. COVID is transmitted through droplets and it’s important that we minimise the risk to ourselves and others.
- You should travel with a face mask and wear it when required by local guidance (e.g. on public transport, in shops).
- You should carry your own hand sanitiser and use it regularly.
- You should maintain social distancing and avoid hugging or shaking hands with each other.
- If you are meeting indoors, you should make sure the space is well ventilated.
- Any indoor spaces should be regularly cleaned.
- If you have an overnight stay you should not share a room with someone else unless they are already in your household.
Carry out a risk assessment
For any travel, you should carry out a risk assessment, but particularly during a pandemic. You should complete this risk assessment and ensure that everyone travelling reads through it and takes any measures required to minimise risk.