The COVID-19 pandemic is in no way over and still has a major impact on travel across the world. Risks attached to detention, infection, access to healthcare, civil unrest, and refusals by authorities and airlines to allow travel based on destination and nationality remain high and subject to change at very short notice. This is in addition to the other high risks present in many of the countries in which we work.
From 1 January 2021 the following applies. See the notes under the diagram for further information.
TRAVEL WITHIN THE EU/EEA/UK/SWITZERLAND (green path)
Close monitoring of developments in international travel has shown that the risks associated with COVID-19 can be mitigated to a higher degree in low-risk countries if these very specific criteria are met:
If you are travelling FROM a country in the EU, EEA, UK or Switzerland;
AND
you are travelling TO a country in the EU, EEA, UK or Switzerland;
AND
you are travelling on a passport issued by a country in the EU, EEA UK or Switzerland;
AND
you are employed by SRC.
If, and only if, ALL FOUR of these criteria are met, you only require the approval of your line manager to travel. Note that this does not authorize “working from home” in a country that is not Sweden.
No-one should attempt to travel if they have flu-like symptoms.
These procedures and restrictions apply to all Field Staff including when they are travelling for holiday/leave. They do not apply to staff based in Sweden who travel privately abroad on holiday/leave.
Travellers and managers can always seek the advice of Security Advisor (James Foote).
The approval of your line manager needs to be traceable and documented, for example via an e-mail exchange. It is the responsibility of the traveller to be updated on the latest restrictions for the destination and to be sure you can comply. Note that Sweden, in particular, is often seen as a higher-risk country and it is not uncommon for quarantine restrictions to be applied to travellers from Sweden. You, and your line manager, need to be sure that your planned travel can meet its objectives does not affect business continuity, such as by delaying your return.
Sources of information that are recommended for travel within Europe/EEA/UK/Switzerland (only) are:
- The RC/RC Movement Partner in your destination – this should always be sought if you are travelling to meet an RC/RC movement Partner
- The organisers of any training/workshop/meeting you are attending
- The websites of the Foreign and Health Ministries of your destination
- https://reopen.europa.eu/sv
Both traveller and line manager can always seek the advice of Security Advisor (James Foote).
ALL OTHER INTERNATIONAL TRAVEL (red path)
In ALL OTHER CASES, travel across an international border requires the formal approval of the International Director on the basis of a properly completed Travel Risk Assessment (TRA).
Put simply, the TRA process applies in EVERY case when you are:
- Planning to travel TO a country outside of the EU/EEA/UK/Switzerland
- Planning to travel FROM a country outside of the EU/EEA/UK/Switzerland
- Travelling on a passport that is not issued by a country in the EU/EEA/UK/Switzerland
- Not formally employed by Swedish RC (for example, if you are a consultant or an intern).
Complete the form fully and send it to your line manager (only). You will be informed by email about the decision. The TRA process follows this path:
Where return journeys are involved, the advice of the Security Advisor and decision of the International Director will instruct on whether you need to do a separate TRA for the return journey or not. This is determined on a case-by-case basis.
No-one should attempt to travel if they have flu-like symptoms.
Travellers and managers can always seek the advice of Security Advisor (James Foote).
Thank you for your compliance!
Uppdaterad .