Before you travel

It is important to begin preparing for your trip well in advance of your day of travel. Consider taking these steps.

• Consult with your physician and follow any recommendations they may offer to help you prepare for travel.

• Avoid high-risk behaviors for the two weeks preceding your travel.

• Take vitamins that boost your immune system such as vitamin C, D and Zinc.

• Stay up to date on CDC and airline requirements for travel.

• Obtain a negative rapid COVID-19 test within 72 hours of travel.

Day of Travel

Be prepared for longer than usual lines when you are checking in at the airport and when you arrive in the country you are traveling to. Keep your COVID-19 test results easily accessible. Airline staff will ask to see test results before boarding the plane that will take you to your destination. Immigration officials in the country where you will be serving will also ask for them. Masks will be required in all airports and planes unless you are eating.

While Serving in Country

Protocols may vary between countries where you are serving. The guidelines below are general in nature.

• Masks must be worn at all times unless you are in the mission home. Exceptions to this rule will be explained by the missionary-in-charge or your team captain.

• Wash and sanitize your hands regularly. Both will be provided for you at the mission home and in the village.

• Inform your team captain or a team doctor if you begin to present any symptoms of illness.

• A team member who presents symptoms will be taken to a lab to be tested for COVID-19.

• If a team member tests positive for COVID-19 while they are in their country of service, they must quarantine in a location specified by the missionary-in-charge. Team members who are ill will have to remain in quarantine until they can test negative for the virus.

• Should a team member need to be hopsitalized, very good private hospitals are available in each of the countries where teams serve.

Return Travel to the United States

At this time the United States is requiring that all people entering the United States must provide one of the following items before entering:

A negative viral antigen test completed within 72 hours of travel

or

A letter from your physician stating that you have previously tested positive for COVID-19 and that you have completely recovered before traveling.

BMDMI will assist in helping team members obtain the necessary tests before travel to the US. See the CDC website for more information here.

In spite of these uncertain times we are confident that God will continue to open doors of opportunity in ministry in 2021. We are grateful for all those who serve with us in this endeavor to evangelize the lost, disciple the saved and meet the needs of the poor.