Covid-19 Policy 

What happens if a renewed lockdown or partial lockdown means the trip is cancelled?
If we have to cancel or postpone the retreat because the UK re-enters a lockdown or partial lockdown due to the Coronavirus, then we would defer or refund all places.

Do I need to take a test before the retreat?
Yes. We ask all guests to take a test within 24 hours of the retreat commencing and if it returns a positive result you must not attend.

In addition, if you display any symptoms of coronavirus within five days of the retreat commencing, you must take a Covid test and if it is positive you must not attend.
Covid symptoms include the following:

  • A high temperature — this means you feel hot to touch on your chest or back (you do not need to measure your temperature)

  • A new, continuous cough — this means coughing a lot for more than an hour, or 3 or more coughing episodes in 24 hours (if you usually have a cough, it may be worse than usual)

  • Any loss or change to your sense of smell or taste — this means you've noticed you cannot smell or taste anything, or things smell or taste different to normal

If you return a positive Covid test before the retreat, please let us know immediately so that we can cancel your booking.

You should take out a suitable holiday insurance policy for this scenario. If you have an existing annual policy, we recommend checking the terms and conditions: many pre-pandemic insurance packages specifically exclude pandemic circumstances, and will not cover you should Covid-19 prevent or interrupt your holiday.

What happens if I develop Covid-19 symptoms during the retreat?

If you develop any of these symptoms during the retreat, you must inform us and take a Covid test. If it shows a positive result, you must return home immediately, travelling as directly as possible. We realise this may be difficult and we are on hand to help you find the best options for travel in this worst-case scenario, but unfortunately we cannot accept responsibility for any costs incurred in such a situation.

If someone else on the retreat returns a positive Covid result, the rest of the group may continue on the retreat if they choose, or may decide to leave immediately. Covid test kits will be on hand for everyone to use. No refunds can be offered to anyone in this scenario.

Whether you choose to stay or go, once you return home you would be required to self-isolate according to government regulations due to having been in close contact with a person with Covid.

Can I claim on my travel insurance?
We always recommend that you take out a comprehensive travel insurance policy that will cover any lost holiday costs in the event that you need to cancel or are unable to travel, whether you are a UK national or traveling in from abroad. We advise you to check with your travel insurance provider to see if you will be covered for a cancellation due to Coronavirus.

Unfortunately, most travel insurers would not pay out if the policy was purchased prior to the general lockdown of 2020, but it is now possible to purchase insurance to cover a variety of circumstances. The specifics of your situation will heavily influence this; at time of writing, we are not aware of any policies which will cover you in the event of a government lockdown, but there are options that will pay out if you are unable to travel due to a positive Covid-19 test or a track-and-trace stay at home order.