EasyWays COVID Update
Friday 2nd April 2021
It is some time since our last update on our position within EasyWays on tours therefore in light of the easing of restrictions just announced by the Scottish Government the timing seems appropriate.
We have all been a bit confused over the past year on what and what is not effective at any moment in time so the following is clarification on the most recent situation.
As of today, Monday 2nd April people across Scotland can make non-essential journeys in their local authority area when a requirement to Stay Local will replace the Stay at Home rule.
From Monday 5th April, non-essential services such as hairdressers, garden centres, car showrooms and homeware stores will be able to open subject to enhanced safety measures including physical distancing, face coverings and pre-booking where appropriate.
Restrictions on non-essential travel across local authority boundaries will remain in place enforcing the “people must stay within their council area ethos for non-essential shopping” and should only travel to another area if there are no practical alternatives. People should also continue to work from home where they can to prevent unnecessary contact that could risk transmission of the virus.
The latest easing of restrictions comes as data shows continued suppression of Coronavirus (COVID-19), and progress on vaccination. Virtually all over 65 year olds have now received a first dose of the vaccine, and the average daily case rate is now 539 new cases per day, a decline of more than 75% since early January.
It is clear to all that tours will be unable to commence for the foreseeable. Our April tours have all been either cancelled or rescheduled with the early May tours now under close scrutiny. Given the continued uncertainty, many walkers have already decided to defer once again to a full 12 months postponement rather than attempt a tour later this year.
There is some hope in that Scotland is on course to ease restrictions further on Apr 26th , when the plan is that pubs will be able to stay open outdoors until 10pm and indoors until 8pm, with alcohol will only be served outside. Outdoor socialising between six people from three households will also be permitted as will travel within all of mainland Scotland will be allowed with self-catering accommodation once again being able to open.
Easyways Specific
This is welcome news however the view in EasyWays is to advise against any new booking enquiries for May and only accept bookings enquiries commencing mid-June at the very earliest.
With respect to the ongoing COVID situation all bookings now taken will be subject to the following change in terms and conditions, applicable to both self-guided and group guided tours;
A change of booking for reasons out-with official government guidelines on travel restrictions –
you can either –
- Select an alternative EasyWays Tour at the advertised price
- Reschedule your tour date (with no time restriction)
- Cancel and forfeit your deposit (20% of the advertised tour price)
A change of booking due to official government guidelines on travel restrictions (either within your country of origin or in Scotland)
you can either –
- Select an alternative EasyWays Tour at the advertised price
- Reschedule your tour date (with no time restriction)
- Receive a full refund of both deposit and any balance payment made
Hopefully my next update will be one that contains an uplifting statement that Scotland is once again “Open for Business”
COVID-19 UPDATE – 17th July 2020
This week the Scottish Government relaxed lockdown restrictions to allow the tourism industry to begin the steady return to normal operation.
To promote the initiative a short video was released showcasing Scotland and we thought to share it with you. While there is still the possibility of late bookings in August through to October this year we advise anyone wishing to walk next year to secure a date as soon as possible in anticipation of the much greater volume of stay at home holidays in 2021 and what better way to combine exercise with outdoor experience than on a long distance walk in Scotland
EasyWays has 18 to choose from and by booking now you a secure a 2021 tour at this year’s price.
COVID-19 UPDATE – 12th June 2020
The latest advice issued by Tourism Secretary Fergus Ewing to support Scotland’s vital tourism industry is that a Scottish Recovery Tourism Taskforce will assist with the ongoing reset of the sector with a provisional date of 15th July identified for when tourism businesses may be able to resume operations.
This date is dependent on public health advice and progression to Phase 3 of the Scottish Government Lockdown Route Map however this is encouraging news that it may be possible to operate tours later this year despite the fact that all tours booked up to 15th July cannot proceed.
We thank you for your continued understanding of the situation and confirm that anyone who has a scheduled booking with EasyWays will be contacted no later than 4 weeks before the walk start date to discuss all available options at that time.
COVID-19 UPDATE – 20th May 2020
The position taken by the Scottish Government means that we in Scotland are still in a state of lockdown with regards to COVID-19.
This has meant that all June tours are now cancelled with July now under review subject to the next planned official announcement on Thursday 28th May.
To date almost 85% of cancelled tours have decided to rebook, either later this year in September / October or postpose until 2021.
It seems likely that July will also fall into cancellation therefore it is imperative for those clients wishing to rebook confirm alternative dates as soon as possible in order to secure accommodation as this will be in great demand when things eventually return to normal.
If you do not contact EasyWays before the 1st July we will contact you by email with your booking options of reschedule or complete cancellation.
In the meantime we ask for your patience and understanding in the belief that EasyWays is committed to providing you the best of service in these difficult times.
VisitScotland has released a short video of encouragement reflecting the mood of the moment and we would like to share this with you here – VisitScotlandMay2020
COVID-19 UPDATE – 17th April 2020
Existing Bookings
In light of yesterday’s UK Government decision to extend lockdown for a further three weeks, until 7th May, it is now time to look towards bookings commencing the month of June.
Due to the present Government restrictions, all tours until the end of May had already been placed in a position of cancellation. All who booked in this period will have been contacted with the alternative of a reschedule or cancellation.
At time of writing it seems we are beginning to see the signs of a decline in infections. The hope is that come early May sufficient progress will have made in this direction to warrant the start of a return to normality.
We have therefore made a judgement to delay a decision on June bookings until the 7th May to assess the situation.
Payments and Terms
In the meantime, EasyWays is deferring balance payments that would normally fall due for tours in this period.
In the event that lockdown continues into June, or restrictions prevent your walking tour, the options listed above will apply. You will either reschedule at a cost of £50.00 per person to a later date, until 31st October 2021, or cancel with loss of deposit. Full EasyWays Booking Terms and Conditions here
Note :- If cancellation is necessary, you will be provided an EasyWays confirmation letter in respect of payments lost, for use with travel insurance claims.
EasyWays Coronavirus Update – 23rd March 2020
We value our relationship with our walking community and whereas we have business overheads to service during this difficult period, the government assistance is of great benefit and allows us to pass the saving back to our walkers.
It is vitally important that we all work together to ensure the flow of business to everyone involved in the arrangement of these tours, not only here in the EasyWays Polmont Office, but to those who service the routes with accommodation and baggage handling services.
Feel free to contact EasyWays if you require any further clarification of this statement.
EasyWays Update: Coronavirus – 19th March 2020
The national news in all our countries is our source of the latest information on the virus and we are all subject to the rulings of the UK Foreign & Commonwealth Office (FCO), World Health Organisation (WHO) and ABTA.
EasyWays has walkers travelling to Scotland from all over the world in the coming months and it is almost inevitable that travel plans will be affected no matter the country of origin.
While hoping your tour will go ahead I fully appreciate you require information on where you stand in respect of a potential cancellation and therefore to further qualify the position the status of our 2020 bookings fall into the following two categories.
1 – those who have paid a deposit but not yet paid the balance of their booking
EasyWays advises that this category of booking remains at a retained deposit stage and in return the costs of a reschedule including the administrative work involved will be borne by the company.
2 – those who have paid in full, both deposit and balance
The retention of both deposit and balance against an agreed rescheduled tour date or, if for any reason this is not possible during the ongoing situation, a credit for the full amount held until an agreeable date is found.
Alternatively a reimburstment of tour cost subject to our Terms and Conditions Cancellation Policy as stated on the EasyWays website;
You should have arranged Travel Insurance on your tour and any cancellation caused by official notice by the UK or your own government (at any time) should allow you to make a valid claim for loss.
Our position is wholly sympathetic to finding a solution to all bookings and with your cooperation our priority is to establish a suitable reschedule date for any booking cancelled as this option carries the least financial implications on everyone. The walking season gathers momentum next month and so far we have had no issues with our accommodation providers.
EasyWays is a small, specialist company that is well run and financially sound. We will be faced with the same challenges as every other company over the forthcoming months both within and out-with the tourism industry. A large number of providers work together to make your walking tour a success and we ask for your understanding in these difficult times.
Normality will return at some point and I can 100% assure you the name of EasyWays will be around providing our well established quality of service in the years to come.
Coronavirus COVID-19 – 12th March 2020
All walking routes are being closely monitored and any bookings relevant to that route will be advised immediately should any restrictions or quarantine be introduced.
Similarly should enforced travel restrictions incur difficulties in the ability to commence your tour on your prescribed start date please contact EasyWays immediately in order to re-schedule without loss of deposit or administration charge.
Everyone in Scotland involved in the business of walking is aware of the need to work together through this difficult time in order to make 2020 as normal a year as possible.
This is a unique situation on a scale never faced by the industry before and I assure you EasyWays will work on your behalf to ensure your tour goes ahead as planned or at a revised date of your choosing.
