There is undoubtedly no determined end in sight of the COVID-19 pandemic although global efforts to find vaccine(s) and develop guidelines on how to live with COVID-19 have picked momentum.
Is it safe to travel to East Africa amidst this covid-19 pandemic situation?
Our answer is YES. East Africa is among the listed global destinations certified and authorized to use the “World Travel and Tourism Council (WTTC) “Safe Travel Stamp” after the destination’s adopted the global COVID-19 health and hygiene standardized protocols.
This stamp allows for the recognition of East Africa as a viable holiday safari destination subject to the implementation of the health and safety protocols.
Our COVID-19 health and safety guidelines
Grandnexus Africa has adopted tourism and hospitality guidelines on health and safety to mitigate the effects of the disruptions caused by the corona virus disease and taken responsibility of ensuring that its travel destinations are safe for tourism business.
Guidelines for Airport transfers, Excursions and Safari operations
- We will ensure that all our safari transfer vehicles are properly cleaned and sanitized during and after each trip/ transfer.
- We will Provide packed lunches for long drive to avoid unnecessary stop-overs.
- We shall ensure drivers and guides use suitable communication gadgets for vehicles carrying more than 7 passengers to communicate with guest to avoid turning or shouting to enable them to be heard by guests.
- We will maintain a register of clients transported or who have interacted with the tour guides.
- We shall ensure our safari / transfer vehicles are sanitized before the start of each trip and this will include cleaning and disinfecting of all surfaces (handrails, door handles, seats etc.) at regular times in the course of trip.
- Particular attention shall be given to luggage disinfection before and after handling.
- We shall encourage open windows when weather permits, to allow air circulation in all our safari and transfer vehicles.
- We will limit the number of staff accompanying guests in every trip – only one driver guide per vehicle.
- We shall ensure information provided (like tourist map) is stuck on the back of the chairs of the vehicle to minimize contact.
- Only the driver guide will be permitted to open doors for the clients to minimize touching contaminated surfaces where applicable. The driver shall sanitize the doors before and after opening/closing.
- We will endeavor to educate office staff, driver guides and customers about their shared responsibility to help protect each other in a Covid-19 environment.
- Maintain appropriate and reliable list of emergency contacts for rapid assistance in case of health and safety related instances. This list will be stuck in each of our safari/transfer vehicles.
- We will educate and encourage our guests to minimize /avoid paying using cash at restaurants, curio shops etc. Online, Mobile payment or credit/debit cards encouraged.
- Disposable approved & quality facemasks and sanitizers shall be made available in the vehicle for use at all times.
- Our drivers shall not be allowed to make stopover at any other place apart from the prearranged designated point or areas.
- All our vehicles shall carry a capacity that ensures social distancing between guests travelling together. Land cruisers and similar vehicles the carrying capacity shall not exceed 7 passengers.
- Grandnexus Africa will only choose partners that are confirmed to comply with existing Government directives for the safe handling of their guests. This includes but is not limited to hotels, airlines, boats etc.
- Any provided water bottles or items shall be labelled with each guest name to avoid sharing or use by another.
- Binoculars and cameras shall not to be shared and shall be sanitized regularly.
- Families, tour groups and couples shall be allocated to a specific vehicle and a guide for the duration of their stay to minimize exposure to other guests and guides.