Host Family Notice and FAQ

Dear Host Host Families,

Thank you very much for your support in this difficult time, especially the additional care and attention in keeping them healthy and safe. If have concerns about your hosting commitments, please contact our team advisor as soon as possible.

“COVID-19 ARRIVAL” PROTOCOL

The current travel restrictions and quarantine requirements related to the COVID-19 pandemic have required Five Star Homestay to consider options for students to quarantine (self-isolate) on arrival. Our new “COVID-19 ARRIVAL” Protocol outlines expectations of students throughout their journey – from before they leave, while they are en route, on arrival, and guidelines for quarantine (if required).

The protocol also provides guidelines, tips, and resources for hosts to consider when providing homestay during quarantine (if required). Students and their natural parents will also be required to sign this document as a condition of acceptance in the homestay program.

This protocol will be updated as more direction becomes available from the Government of Canada and student countries of origin.

Download and read

IF YOU, YOUR STUDENT OR ANYONE ELSE IN YOUR HOUSEHOLD EXPERIENCES COVID-19 SYMPTOMS

Please follow instructions from the Public Health Agency of

Canada: https://www.canada.ca/en/public-health/services/diseases/2019-novel-coronavirus-infection/symptoms.html#i

And inform our team advisor of the outcome so we can assist in any way we can.

If you cannot reach our team advisors, please call our emergency line at 1-877-441-4443 ext. 1 or directly 911.

To get the latest facts on COVID-19 in Canada, please take moment to review the Public Health Agency of Canada’s website:

CANADA

Ontario Public Health:
https://www.publichealthontario.ca/en/diseases-and-conditions/infectious-diseases/respiratory-diseases/novel-coronavirus

BC Public Health:
https://www.healthlinkbc.ca/public-health-alerts

Government of Canada:
https://www.canada.ca/en/public-health/services/diseases/2019-novel-coronavirus-infection.html

WORLDWIDE

World Health Organization:
https://www.who.int/emergencies/diseases/novel-coronavirus-2019

Travel Advice and Advisories:
https://travel.gc.ca/travelling/advisories

Thank you for your continued patience and understanding!

Five Star Homestay Agency Team.

FAQ;



Please follow instructions from the Public Health Agency of Canada: https://www.canada.ca/en/public-health/services/diseases/2019-novel-coronavirus-infection/symptoms.html#i and inform our team advisors of the outcome so we can assist in any way we can. If you cannot reach our team advisor, please call our emergency line at 1-877-441-4443 ext. 1.
Students will need to observe all Public Health Agency of Canada (PHAC) guidelines in addition to the provincial and regional health authority guidelines at the time of arrival into Canada. In order to ensure that students are aware of these expectations, Five Star Has has prepared a “COVID-19 ARRIVAL” Protocol that students must sign to acknowledge their understanding and compliance. Five Star will conduct Zoom orientations on arrival, and work with our client educators to ensure consistent messaging to students.
As of June 19, 2020, the only students who are exempt from the travel restrictions, and therefore permitted to enter Canada, are those with a valid study permit, or those who were approved for a study permit on or before March 18, 2020. Five Star is hopeful that Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) will announce changes to these travel restrictions in time for the September intake of students, and we will update our hosts as soon as we know more.
Students are still making decisions about extensions. While there are more flight options now, there are still severe limitations on available flights and itineraries. We are regularly communicating with students and their agents to encourage them to make arrangements, including a strong recommendation to stay in Canada this summer.
All students and agents have been advised of the following by email: If students who are already in Canada choose to travel home for the summer, there is currently no guarantee they will be able to return to Canada due to the following possibilities: Border closures Issues getting study permits renewed; and Ability to satisfy “COVID-19 Arrival” Protocol requirements For these reasons, we recommend that students continue to stay in Canada in anticipation of the fall semester. To keep their options open with minimal financial risk or impact, we have extended the following refund policy to the summer months: Students considering staying in Canada this summer, who aren’t sure what they want to do in September, can book and pay for July and August only. If they cancel their booking between June 1-30, they will receive a refund for August. After July 1, students must provide one month (30 days) notice to leave the program. This applies to the summer months and beyond. As always, if students need to change their plans, we encourage them to consider deferrals instead of cancellations.
No, there is no need for you or your family to isolate before arrival. There is also no need for your family to isolate during the 14-day quarantine period after the student arrives.
No, there is no need for you or your family to isolate before arrival. There is also no need for your family to isolate during the 14-day quarantine period after the student arrives.
It depends on their travel insurance plan. However, the two major providers that Five Star partners with in Canada, Guard.Me and Study Insured, are both offering full coverage for medical services related to COVID-19.